27/02/2026
When our mapeh teacher, ma'am Busymae Dioso Santillan Cabadon first introduced us to folk dance, we didnโt even know where to start. Everything was new โ the rhythm, the steps, the formations, the feeling of telling a story through movement. We were complete beginners, learning Tinolabong, the dance inspired by the white bird, Tulabong, graceful yet free. At first, every step felt impossible, and every move seemed uncertain.
Behind these smiles were countless hours of practice, sore feet, and tired bodies. There were moments of stress, frustration, and overwhelm. There were times when we argued, when small misunderstandings felt like big walls between us. But slowly, day by day, we turned mistakes into improvements, doubts into determination. We learned to trust each other โ not just as schoolmates, but as friends. Bonds were built over laughter, shared struggles, and the effort we poured into every practice.
Before the contest, our hearts were racing, and nerves tangled with excitement. Every one of us felt the weight of expectations, the pressure of performing, and the fear of not being enough. But as soon as the music started, it all melted away. We moved together, not just with steps, but with trust, with heart, and with the bond we had built over weeks of hard work. We danced like the Tulabong, graceful, free, and rising above every doubt. And thenโฆ the moment of introducing the winners, we didn't expect the "second runner up goes to VALLADOLID NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL-AYUNGON ANNEX" In that moment, all the frustration, stress, exhaustion, and overwhelm transformed into joy, pride, and disbelief. From complete beginners to standing on that stage as winners โ it wasnโt just a contest result. It was proof of our hard work, our persistence, and the friendship we forged along the way. It was proof that when you trust yourself, trust each other, and work together, even the most unexpected victories are possible.
This win isnโt just ours. It belongs to tiredness after practices, every laugh shared in frustration, every effort we gave to perfect our movements, and every hand we held when someone doubted themselves. From schoolmates to a family on stage โ this is our story, our journey, our Tinolabong moment.
We also wouldnโt be here without the people who believed in us even when we were still learning. To our families and friends who supported us, cheered for us, and understood the time and effort we gave to this journey โ thank you. To our trainer, Ma'am Busymae Dioso Santillan Cabadon , for guiding us from our very first step, to our teacher-in-charge, Ma'am Judith Pampliega, for standing by us and believing we deserved that stage, To all the teachers in VNHS - AYUNGON ANNEX who believed we that we can do it, this win is yours too. Your faith in us made all the difference. ๐ฅ๐คโจ
๐๐ง๐ค๐ค๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฉ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฉโ๐จ ๐ข๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐ง ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ก ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช. ๐๐ป๐๐ป