By Liwayway Yparraguirre/PNA
urges students to balance their interests in science and technology, and culture and arts at the opening ceremonies of the National Festival of Talents Tuesday in Dagupan City. (Photo by Liwayway Yparraguirre)
DAGUPAN CITY — Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones on Tuesday encouraged students to balance their interests in science and technology, and culture and arts.
“Science and technology which are very important, soft and hard sciences (mathematics, physics, geometry) have to be balanced with literature, with culture, with arts, with crafts and with different services,” she said in her keynote speech during the opening of the National Festival of Talents (NFOT) here.
With the current number of curriculum, Briones told learners they have choices “as compared to the past when there was only one curriculum.”
“At a young age, you are already trained to make choices, which have to be based on analysis, critical thinking, and based on the kind of advice you get from your teacher and from your parents,” she said.
Briones added that there is an ongoing debate in the academic circle about maintaining both sciences and arts in the curriculum.
“What should we focus on? Should we reduce our subjects in literature, in history, in culture so that we will have more subjects in technology, in mathematics and physics, particularly in engineering? I maintain that we should do both because it is possible,” she said.
Briones noted that what helps a person survive, analyze and reflect is the development of the soul.
“The Filipino soul is expressed in poetry, in music, in language,” she said.
Meanwhile, Briones commended the more than 3,800 delegates who travelled to Dagupan City as she acknowledged the talents of the Filipinos.
“We’re best known for our singing and dancing abilities,” she said.
NFOT’s opening was highlighted by the Bayle sa Kalye (street dance parade competition) where 16 regions showcased their respective regional culture, tradition, and products.
Being held at different venues are technolympics, which include a bazaar/booth set-up, silk screen preparation and T-shirt printing, dressmaking, technical drafting, bread and pastry production, furniture and cabinet making, computer system servicing, landscaping, food processing, and electrical installation and maintenance.
Population and development (PopDev) includes poster making, jingle writing, jingle singing, kasaysayan (history) quiz, debate, and pop quiz.
The contests under special program in foreign language are cosplay, quiz whiz, sign language, quiz whiz, harf touch (Arabic language), Arabic spelling, and singing idol.
The Tagisan ng Talento category includes Dagliang Talumpati, Interpretatibong Pagbasa, Madulang Pagkukuwento and Sulat at Bigkas ng Tula.
Sining Tanghalan are Bayle (street dancing and showdown), Sineliksil (filming and editing), Likhawitan (composition), Sulatanghal, RCM song writing and choral competition, Direk ko Ganap mo, and Pintahusay.
The awarding ceremony will be held on January 31.
