EIGHT years ago, it was only a dream. A dream that seemed far-fetched then is now a reality.

A regional initiative started by Secondary Education Chief Luzminda O. Onor when she was still a supervisor in English of the Department of Education 11 is now a national event.

Click here for Election 2010 updates

Thanks to the National Council for Children's Television (NCCT) headed by Executive Director Frank Rivera and Administrative Officer Daisy Atienza and the main sponsor, The World Class Language Center headed by Ms. Erlinda S. Curro, also the main sponsor of the National Jazz Chants Festival which is now on its third year.

Through Deped Memorandum No. 27 series of 2010 signed by then outgoing Secretary Jesli A. Lapus, the Communication Arts English Festival became a competition in English for secondary education students of the 17 regions nationwide.

The first national competitions were held at the Olongapo City National High School and Olongapo City Convention Center, City of Olongapo in Central Luzon last March 3-6, 2010.

Aside from the NCCT and the WCLC, the even was also sponsored by the Association of English Educators in the Philippines and Philippine English Language Teachers Association of Davao Region (Pelta 11).

"English is a very important subject in the curriculum. I believe that competition like this can challenge our students to improve their craft in oral English," Davao Region SED Chief Onor said on why she pushed for the contest to continue since its inception eight years ago here in Region 11.

"With the high regard given to multiple intelligence, those with skills in performing arts can also be part of this festival through the Dance Theatre competition," Onor added.

Her desire to have an avenue for talented students to showcase their abilities using the English language finally paid off.

"Not being a part of the top three or top five winners in this healthy competition will not make you less than an artist. Your presence here proved that you have separated yourselves from those who have been left behind, whose talents are not as intense as you," Rivera said.

What Ms Onor had sown eight years ago showed in the performance of the region's students who nailed down the over-all champion honors and will thus be known as the first national champions for as long as the competitions are held.

Central Luzon was first runner-up, followed by Ilocos Region, Western Visayas and the Cordillera Administrative Region that tied as second runners-up.

Cagayan Valley and Caraga Region tied as third runners-up, while Soccsksargen was fourth runner-up.

Davao Region got first place in The Art of Smart Talking and Readers Theatre (Trio Category), second place in Dance Theatre and Readers Theatre (Group Category), and had a good showing in all other events to cop the grand prices.

Davao Region received a plaque, a P20,000 cash prize and trip abroad to any Asian country for the school officials and winning coaches.

3rd National Jazz Chants Festival

Deped 11 grabbed more plums in the performing arts, this time as national champion in the elementary level in the Third National Jazz Chants Festival held in Tagum City last February 15-17, 2010.

Ramon Magsaysay Central Elementary School, Division of Digos City, romped off with the top plum for the Festival sponsored again by World Class Language Center and Oro-Eco Marketing even as a first-time contender.

Carmen National High School Jazz Chanters, Division of Davao del Norte, came out second nationwide and Best in Mindanao.

"Truly I can say that if there is a will, there is a way. I commissioned Dr. Mary Jeanne B. Aldeguer to find a worthy team to the national finals and she was able to scout this team. I am happy for them," said Emelita R. Salvado, Chief of the Elementary Education Division.

National Science Quest And DepEd-Intel Philippines Science Fair

Prior to the English Festival, another batch of students triumphed as well and ran away with the over-all First Runner-Up in the in the Science Quest. As runner-up winners, the young researchers and advisers get the chance to compete in the international research competition in the United States.

Winning for the region were the researches from La Filipina National High School in Tagum City, and University of Immaculate Conception in Davao City.

Davao Region got the first place in Robotics represented by Digos City National High School and in Science Quiz in Chemistry from Ateneo de Davao University in Davao City, three second place honors, two third place, one fourth place and two fifth place. Davao Region is also the reigning champion in Sci-Dama Competition.

8th Step-National Skills Development

The region too ranked second runner-up among 17 contending regions in the 8th Step-National Kills Development Competition.

Davao Region had one first place finish, three second placers, three third placers, four fourth placers, and another four fifth placers in the competition that tested the marketable skills of students.

The best finish the region had in this national competition was as over-all champion three years ago. Competition in the Step, however, have always been very stiff, the crown most coveted by all regions. That the students had a strong finish shows their competitiveness when pitted against the other regions.

Other National Contests/Competitions

For the third consecutive year, Tagum City National Comprehensive High School again produced another student leader who was selected by the national screening committee of the Vice President Noli de Castro Exemplary Leadership and Academic Excellence Awards -- Mark Ephraim Dalman. He received a cash prize, a trophy, and a full college scholarship for this.

On the other hand, Gerico Sy and Ace Novo of the Philippine Science High School-Davao City got the second place in the International Year of Astronomy Olympiad at UP-NISMED in Diliman, Quezon City while Karina Lei Relatado of Digos City National High School landed in third place during the Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting Essay Writing held at PICC, Manila. (with reports from Chanette D. Cadiente, Helen C. Libunao, Nestoria Limosnero, Cesar E. Cole, Carmencita R. Omictin, Mary Jeanne B. Aldeguer, Jenielito S. Atillo and Reynante Solitario and photos from NCCT Staff and Lorenzo Mendoza)