ATO INI

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐓𝐎 𝐈𝐍𝐈 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚-𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞! 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐲𝐞-𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫.

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞, 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫—𝐀𝐓𝐎 𝐈𝐍𝐈!

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞.

SURIGAO CITY— The scent of freshly blended fruit juices mingled with the hum of excited conversations, while strokes of color on canvas caught the afternoon light—turning a corner of the Pop-Up Athlete’s Village into a living gallery of youth innovation. Amid the cheers and competition of the Caraga Regional Athletic Games 2026, it was not only athletic excellence that drew the crowd, but the bold entrepreneurial spirit of Senior High School (SHS) students from the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Surigao City.

This feature centers on a defining angle: how classroom learning in Surigao City is being transformed intoa real-world enterprise. Beyond grades and textbooks, these student entrepreneurs are stepping into roles as creators, innovators, and future business leaders—bringing to life a model of education that is immersive, practical, and deeply empowering.

Ma. Ines Asuncion, DepEd Caraga Regional Director, Dr. Marilou B. Dedumo, Schools Division Superintendent of Surigao City, and Dr. Karen L. Galanida, Schools Division Superintendent of Surigao del Norte, visited the village and witnessed how students confidently narrated the journeys behind their products—how a simple idea evolved into a bottled juice, a local delicacy, or a hand-painted artwork. This is the heart of the story: education that breathes, moves, and creates impact beyond the classroom.

As the tour unfolded, the narrative became clear. Each booth was a chapter. A group of students eagerly offered samples of their carefully crafted beverages, explaining their sourcing and preparation. Nearby, innovative products—born from experimentation and problem-solving—stood as quiet testaments to curiosity and persistence. On the walls, paintings spoke in color what words could not—identity, culture, and imagination.

RD Asuncion paused, and observed both product and process, and reflected:

“What we witness today is a powerful reflection of how education can move beyond theory. These learners are demonstrating real-world skills—innovation, resilience, and creativity—that will shape their future.”

Her words echoed the lived experiences of the students—young individuals who, through guided instruction and opportunity, have begun to see themselves not just as learners, but as contributors.

Dr. Dedumo emphasized the intentional effort behind these outcomes:

“Our schools are creating avenues where students can explore their potential. These products embody not just talent, but the dedication of our teachers and learners in making education meaningful and relevant.”

Transitioning from one booth to another, the visitors were not merely spectators—they became participants in a larger conversation about the future of education. Dr. Galanida noted how exposure such as this builds more than skill:

“This platform allows students to appreciate the significance of their work. It gives them confidence and a deeper understanding of how their skills can contribute to their communities.”

From a youth development lens, Dubduban added:

“Our youth are capable of so much more than we often expect. Through initiatives like this, we are seeing future leaders and innovators take their first steps.”

What makes this showcase compelling is not just what is seen, but what is felt—the quiet pride of a student explaining their product, the shared excitement of peers supporting one another, and the recognition from leaders who see in these small booths the blueprint of a stronger, more innovative region.

As the day drew on and the energy of the games continued to pulse through Surigao City, the exhibit remained a steady reminder: that excellence takes many forms.

And just like the athletes striving for victory on the field, these young entrepreneurs are already winning—in confidence, in creativity, and in courage. Their stories, much like the flavors they served and the colors they painted, linger—inviting everyone who witnessed them to believe in the boundless potential of the Filipino learner.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬!

𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠
(𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬) 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬

Way to GOLD, Mighty Blue Titans!

When the cheers faded and the final whistle blew, what lingered in the minds of athletes, coaches, and all participants was not only the scoreboards and awards—it was the spirit of Surigao City. The CARAGAmes 2026 became more than a regional sports gathering; it became a living testament to how a city’s hospitality and venues can define an event’s legacy.

Billeting Quarters: Homes Away from Home

Delegations arrived with anticipation, and Surigao City welcomed them with warmth. Classrooms transformed into cozy quarters, schools into sanctuaries, and community halls into vibrant hubs of camaraderie. These spaces were not just shelters—they became places where friendships were forged, laughter echoed, and athletes found rest before the battles on the courts and fields. Delegates will remember how Surigaonons turned simple quarters into homes filled with care and protection.

Playing Venues: Arenas of Dreams

From the wellkept walls and polished floors to the roaring bleachers, Surigao’s sports halls and venues resonated the very soul of the CARAGAmes. Every play—from baskets to sprints to serves was magnified by the atmosphere—the crowd’s energy, the volunteers’ dedication, and the city’s pride. The gymnasiums and courts were more than structures; they became stages where athletes showcased not only skill but resilience, where the audience was swept into one, shared collective story.

A Legacy Etched in Memory

The CARAGAmes 2026 will be cherished not just for the shots scored and triumphs secured, but equally for the hospitality that embraced every delegation. Surigao City proved that the success of the event lay not only in the games played, but in community—the way a city opens its doors, its courts, and its heart.

In years to come, when athletes recall their triumphs, they will also remember the warmth of Surigao City. The billeting quarters and playing venues were more than facilities; they were the very pulse of the CARAGAmes 2026. And that soul will live on in the memories of every delegation that once called Surigao home.