It is more fun in the Schools Division of Paraňaque. That second time could be exceedingly fantastic.

Each SDO personnel painted joy in awe and excitement in the 2022 Division Cultural Presentation on December 9 at the Jaime Ferrer Hall, the second time (with the first in 2021) since Dr. Evangeline P. Ladines, schools division superintendent, has taken her seat as the leader of the entire Division.

Who would ever think that despite the usual office hours staunchly served, all employees still managed to be clad in various and creative styles of Filipino costumes, predominantly preserving the Paraňaque culture and tradition in presentations of sorts? Not only that, the snacks and lunch served and shared were, in essence, a touch of Filipino delicacies far from the usual, delivered or bought from fast food restaurants nearby.

The different Unit offices were combined to showcase the Filipino culture specifically with the contextualized Paraňaque traditions, such as the Sunduan (SGOD), Sambalilo (Accounting Unit), Moro-Moro (Personnel), Salubong (CID), Karakol (Admin and Records), Flores de Mayo (Budget, Cash, and Supply), and Pagbati Dance (OSDS, OASDS, Legal and ICT). To give the audience a clear understanding of the named festivity, the concerned presenters provided a briefer of its background, organization, when the event takes place, and other significant details.

The friendly competition added a twist to the presentations, with the Budget, Cash, and Supply portraying the Flores de Mayo, grabbing the third place; the SGOD’s Sunduan, the second; and the Personnel on its Moro-Moro, the champion.

DepEd Memo No. 222, s. 2010, otherwise known as Dissemination of Republic Act 10066 (An Act Providing for the Protection and Conservation of the National Cultural Heritage, Strengthening the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) and Its Affiliated Cultural Agencies and for Other Purposes) served as the reference of the activity. It highlighted the Patriotism, the P in the PIES (the rest is Integrity-Excellence-Spirituality) values, to which the Division strongly conforms.

The whole day affair did not hamper the clients transacting business since the Division chiefs, Dr. Bernardo N. Mascariǹa and Ms. Thelma F. Montiel, and the heads of the Unit offices assigned skeletal force to ensure continuous customer service.  (by Reena G. Orquina)