Cultural values and awareness of our young
It has always been a wonderful feeling when our young are reliving and promoting our Filipino values, traits, arts, and culture. Considering that at present, a lot of them have no more sense of consciousness of time-tested values. Making this possible, a government agency is forefront in elevating the awareness and appreciation of our young.
The Department of Education Region 7 office spearheaded an event that pushed for the development and enhancement of our young's consciousness of our Filipino cultural values. Last February 3, 2016, I was invited to judge their 2016 Tagisan ng Talino sa Filipino. Together with my theater artists and friends Jose Rodrigo Aviles and Junrey Alayacyac, we were treated with a celebration of Filipino hospitality and cultural values. It was battle of wit, talent, and showmanship. Dubbed as Informance, a form of performance that aims to provide information, it promotes global awareness of the importance of culture in a country.
There were thirteen divisions of Region 7 that competed in the said Informance. With the theme "Artistry at its Best by Harmonizing Talents: Maximizing Skills," which was well highlighted by the inspirational message of DepEd regional director Dr. Juliet Jeruta. She emphasized that we now have a new way of looking at intelligence. And that intelligence is not only measured by paper and pencil tests but through performance-based assessments. This is very much espoused in Dr. Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences.
Dr. Gardner of the Harvard University has identified distinct intelligences. His theory has emerged from recent cognitive research and "documents the extent to which students possess different kinds of minds and therefore learn, remember, perform, and understand in different ways." In this theory, "we are all able to know the world through language, logical-mathematical analysis, spatial representation, musical thinking, the use of the body to solve problems or to make things, an understanding of other individuals, and an understanding of ourselves. Where individuals differ is in the strength of these intelligences – the so-called profile of intelligences – and in the ways in which such intelligences are invoked and combined to carry out different tasks, solve diverse problems, and progress in various domains."
Also in her message, Dr. Jeruta emphasized that value of persistence. She recalled the experience of Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach that despite her several failures to win in beauty contests, she never gave up until she got her most desired dream. For the students, they should not give up until they can attain what they want in life. And with passion and dedication, they can realize their dreams.
I would also like to thank the regional supervisors whose support to the activity was unparalleled – Dr. Luz Jandayan, Dr. Emiliano Elnar Jr., Dr. Flodeliza C. Sambrano and Dr. Novie O. Mangubat. I am grateful to Mrs. Aliena Quimque, Education Program Supervisor in Filipino, Mandaue City division, for inviting us. She made our judging a significant experience.
Congratulations to all the winners: First place is Negros Oriental Province, second place goes to Danao City Division (Ramon M. Durano Sr. Foundation and Technology Education Center) and third place is Cayang National High School of the Bogo City Division.
To the school principals, trainors/coaches and students, kudos for the job well done! I ardently hope that your tribe shall continue to show your great talent and inspire others to be proud of our own Filipino traits, places, arts and culture.
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