20/03/2026
SURIGAO CITYโ The scent of freshly blended fruit juices mingled with the hum of excited conversations, while strokes of color on canvas caught the afternoon lightโturning a corner of the Pop-Up Athleteโs 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 leadersโbringing 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 productsโhow 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 productsโborn from experimentation and problem-solvingโstood as quiet testaments to curiosity and persistence. On the walls, paintings spoke in color what words could notโidentity, culture, and imagination.
RD Asuncion paused, and observed both product and process, and reflected:
โWhat we witness today is a powerful reflection of how education can move beyond theory. These learners are demonstrating real-world skillsโinnovation, resilience, and creativityโthat will shape their future.โ
Her words echoed the lived experiences of the studentsโyoung 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:
โOur 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.โ
Transitioning from one booth to another, the visitors were not merely spectatorsโthey became participants in a larger conversation about the future of education. Dr. Galanida noted how exposure such as this builds more than skill:
โThis 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.โ
From a youth development lens, Dubduban added:
โOur 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.โ
What makes this showcase compelling is not just what is seen, but what is feltโthe 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 winningโin confidence, in creativity, and in courage. Their stories, much like the flavors they served and the colors they painted, lingerโinviting everyone who witnessed them to believe in the boundless potential of the Filipino learner.
