“Every sacrifice has a fruitful reward. Every failure has a second chance. We only have to be strong by God’s grace to persevere in the tests of life.”

This text message together with others we received in our cell phones became our guiding inspiration before the National Schools Press Conference  2008 began.

Our NSPC experiences are as rich as Koronadal City,  itself being known as the Land of Bounty. It all started with a plane trip to Cebu then to Davao followed by a four-hour travel to South Cotabato – the venue of the competition. It was, indeed, a very tiring trip but filled with fruitful experiences since it was, for most of us, our first time to go to Mindanao. The island is blessed with unique, rich culture and overflowing natural resources. Anywhere we went, we saw fresh and abundant fruits and vegetables. It is the home of hospitable and friendly people opposite of what many of us think of. Indeed, it is  the “Land of Promise”.

The opening program was a spectacular and a well-attended one. The field demonstration was participated by more then  2,800 students who occupied the whole football field just to welcome everyone. It featured  native and ethnic dances in amazing rhythm.

Secretary Jesli Lapus, the DepED Secretary, keynote speaker, emphasized that all the participants are considered champions since they are the cream of the crop of all the regions in the Philippines. With him, was Sam Concepcion who entertained us with a song and an inspirational message which really challenged us all.

It was a two-day competition filled with mixed emotions and butterflies in our stomach. We had to be at the contest site an hour before so we had to wake up early or else we would be late or disqualified.

I, together with fellow Jack & Jill School pupils, Hanz and Paulo, my co-participants, had the chance to visit beautiful places like the pineapple plantation of the DOLE Philippines Company, the Saranggani Highlands overlooking the Saranggani Bay at General Santos City and the hometown of the boxing sensation, Manny Pacquiao.

We also visited the paradise-like and amazing Lake Sebu which we previously only read about in our Sibika Textbooks. It’s a  haven down  South. While in Lake Sebu, my mom and Hanz had the chance to dance with the T’boli natives to the  accompaniment of peculiar sounds from their unique musical instruments such as Kulintang, which looks like a small gong, suspended in strings and also the bamboo flute.

We had also fun in making baye–baye by pounding in the lusong, or using a big mortar and pestle, in Norala City – a 45-minute drive  from Koronadal City.

We were so proud to represent Jack & Jill School – Homesite, the DepED Division of Bacolod City and Region VI as well. The contest was not at all a contest in the literal sense of the word because everyone who participated was considered a winner in his or her own right. Everyone won great and challenging experiences, friends, lessons, happiness, joy, lasting memories and many more. And,  most of all, we successfully survived the greatest explosion in South Cotabato – the NSPC 2008 — with flying colors.

I offer my success to our administrators headed by Mrs. Cecilia Del Castillo – Lopez, teachers and students of Jack and Jill School – Homesite, my parents and most of all - - - to God Almighty as the giver of our precious talents. To God Be The Glory.

The writer is the managing editor of UP THE HILL, the publication of Jack & Jill School – Homesite, where she is a consistent honor pupil. Her photos are published in our back-page feature.