The Philippine Online Chronicles

As sweet as native Durian fruit – for which this Southern city is known – were the smiles that greeted the delegates from all over the Philippine archipelago during the opening program of the 2010 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC). As Davao Governor Rodolfo Del Rosario put it, “The vibrance of the city I’m sure has astounded you… but our genuine treasure lies in the warm hospitality of our people.”

Participants to the annual convention of campus journalists and their advisers hail from all 17 regions of the country.

As an added treat for the guests, this year’s NSPC happens to coincide with the celebration of another pride event in the region – the Musikahan Festival, a week-long celebration of the rich culture and musicality of the Tagumeños. Hailed as the “Music Capital of the South” and the “City of Festivals,” Tagum City is the perennial host to some of the most prestigious talent competitions in Mindanao, making this one of the highlights of the province's tourism offerings.

Because of the NSPC, the Musikahan was thrust into the national limelight – a first in its five-year history. In turn, the music festival provided much-deserved entertainment and respite to the travel-weary NSPC participants.

Raining politicians

Department of Education Undersecretary for Regional Operations Ramon C. Bacani covered as guest speaker for Secretary Jesli A. Lapus, who is on an official mission to Spain.

Earlier, Bacani held a press conference at the Tagum City National High School. The conference was attended by two representatives (one for elementary and one for high school) from each region, as well as reporters from mainstream media. Questions centered around this year’s NSPC theme, “Campus Journalism as a Catalyst for Change: Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.”

Bacani gamely answered the grilling of the country’s finest campus journalists, at times even cracking mild jokes and singing the praises of the delegates. “The students definitely asked [me] very tough questions,” Bacani admitted during a later speech. “But that is good, I see a lot of potential. I do hope that these children would pursue journalistic careers in the future.”

Bacani also stressed the important role of campus journalists in the attainment of the MDGs. “You campus journalists are the advocates of change in your own schools. You can use your newspapers to advocate the Millennium Development Goals, mostly to encourage school-aged children to go to school.”

About 4,000 students from all over the country paraded at the town hall arena, with each contingent marching to the tune of their regional hymns and folk songs. Despite the rain, delegates went on with the parade, with most contingents using matching umbrellas and caps to ward off the rain.

The stage was graced by DepEd officials Dr. Lolita Andrada, NSPC Overall chairman; Usec. Bacani; and local government executives Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy, 1^st District Congressman Arrel R. Olano, and Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario.

Vice Presidential aspirant Senator Loren Legarda, wearing a white blouse and vest with her name and "Vice President" embroidered at the back in green thread, also dropped by the opening ceremonies to talk of her media-related and educational advocacies. She was a guest at the Musikahan festival and had just come from a campaign tour in Visayas.

Festive atmosphere

Living up to its monicker, Tagum City did not disappoint its visitors with each professionally-choreographed production number. A highlight of the program was a grand fireworks display sponsored by the City Tourism Council and the Council of Women.

The day’s festivities were not only enjoyed by the NSPC participants, but also by the locals who witnessed the opening programs at a distance. They also went around the town hall, shopping in the tiangges and shops that lined the plaza.

“Kalipay man ini na adlaw. Kay minsan lang gyud ko makakita ug kadaghan na tawo! Dayong gikan pa sa sobrang layo na lugar. Mura siyang engrande na party (I feel happy today. It’s not everyday that I see these many people here [in Tagum]! And they have come from very far away places. It feels like a grand party)," said Moreno Dinglasan, a sari-sari store owner.

Students from local schools were also required to take part in the opening parade since they are on vacation for the duration of the NSPC.

13-year-old Mary Lou Amborado said that Tagum students were involved in the preparation for the event through clean-up drives and beautification of the school premises. Now that she has seen the product of their collective efforts, she couldn’t help but beam with pride.

“Malipay man ko na diri sa Tagum ang host sa event. Proud man ako kay pila nga kadami nga mga event ang hi-nost namon diri kay nindot man ang among probinsya. Peaceful pa gyud at limpyo ang among siyudad. Daghang talented na mga tawo. Parang fiesta diri karon, buong Pilipinas man ang naa diri. (I’m very happy that Tagum [City] is hosting this event. I am proud because many big events have been held here, probably due to the beauty of our province. It is very peaceful here too, and the city is very clean. The people are also very talented. It’s like a feast here now, the entire Philippines is here to celebrate.)” said the high school freshman from the Assumpta School of Tagum.

For John Moises Mangubat, high school senior from the Liceo de Cagayan De Oro in Region 10, a brief tour of Tagum City has exceeded all his expectations. “It’s wonderful seeing all the preparations they have made… all the security preparations were seen in the news. I really look up to Davao for their wonderful place. It’s my first time here, and already, I’m loving the experience. The people are friendly… the place is clean… everything is just unexpected. I still can’t believe that we made it to the nationals.”

To prepare for their radio broadcasting event, Mangubat and his team underwent “a very rigid two-month long training” which lasted up until the wee hours.

“Being here makes me forget all the sleepless nights we’ve gone through. I hope all our hard work would pay off. At the regionals, we only competed for our school, now we’re doing it for our region. It puts pressure on us, actually. But its good motivation nevertheless,” he stated.

"Safety first and foremost"

Apart from the promotion of culture and the arts, another priority of the local government of Tagum is to ensure the safety of the different regional delegations and to allay fears of any security threat.

Tagum City Police chief Giusseppe Geralde said recent cases of violence in Mindanao, particularly the one which involved the massacre of at least 30 journalists in Maguindanao last year, has definitely caused a strain in the image of the otherwise peaceful province of Davao.

“Madami ang takot na magpunta sa Mindanao, akala kasi nila hindi safe dito dahil sa nababalitaan nila sa TV, radio, etc.(Many are scared to visit Mindanao because of what they see and hear on the news.) That is why we are really trying our best to assure our visitors that it is safe here in Davao. It’s safety above all,” said Geralde.

With at least one police personnel stationed at every billeting area and testing center all over Tagum City, Geralde assured the delegates that the convention will be peaceful all throughout its week-long course. Tarpaulin signs bearing the telephone numbers of police stations in the area were also posted near schools and commercial establishments for people to contact in case of emergencies. Tricycle drivers were likewise instructed to assist visitors with their transportation and touring needs.

“We are utilizing all of our personnel here and then the provincial quarters… about 40 personnel from the provincial quarters were deployed around Tagum City, particularly at the new city hall where the opening program [was] staged. We are securing the vicinity of the billeting areas and the commercial places where the guests would likely visit. Other agencies, such as the Bureau of Fire Protection and the City Health Department, are also closely monitoring the events,” he said in an interview.

Despite the daunting task, Geralde said he welcomes the visitors who hail from various parts of the country and hopes that the beauty of Tagum City and the hospitality of its locals would change whatever negative perceptions they may hold about the province.

The NSPC will run from February 22 to 26, 2010.

Photos by Amirson Baybin, Mikhaela de Leon, Karen Lucero and Ivy Jean Vibar. Some rights reserved.

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