ZAMBOANGA CITY – Carlos Romeo Cruz, section head of Lee Plaza and AB College Senior High School Musical Duo composed of Faith Lanie Lumayag and Bless Christine Noel, emerged as champions of Talenyado (Talento ng Empleyado), a talent competition for formal sector workers, held yesterday, May 31, 2023 at Explore Dipolog, Boulevard, Dipolog City.

The competition is slated as culminating activity of the Labor Month Celebration in the City through the initiative of the Dipolog City Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (DCTIPC), Department of Labor and Employment – Zamboanga del Norte Field Office (DOLE-ZDNFO) and the local government unit of Dipolog City.

Talenyado aims to bring together the labor and management sector and strengthen rapport and camaraderie. It is a fun-filled activity designed not only to showcase talents of employees but also boost morale.

DCTIPC Chairperson, Mayor Darrel Dexter Uy, in his address to the crowd, said that the activity not only highlights the talents of workers but also the invaluable contribution of the workforce to the economy

“Their contributions form the backbone of our economy, the driving force behind our city’s progress. Tonight we reflect upon the achievements of workers and express heartfelt gratitude to them through these activities,” Uy said.

A total of 9 entries vied for the top spot in the individual category while 5 competed for the group category. A variety of talents such as magic tricks, doble kara singing, broadway musical and dancing took center-stage as crowds of supporters cheered for their favorites.

Aside from Cruz and the Musical Duo, Leonimarie C. Salaveria, teacher at Andres Bonifacio College and Geneil Santillana, Marketing Assistant of Saga Motors bagged 2nd and 3rd place respectively for the individual category while Saga Motors and Lee Plaza Supermarket Team reaped 2nd and 3rd place for Group Category.

Judging the performances were Maisalian Julian D. Acopiado of Jose Rizal Memorial State University Dapitan Campus, Jet Rommel B. Delos Reyes of St. Estanislao Kostka College Inc of Manukan and Karen Claire Q. Grafia of DOLE ZDNFO.

Winners took home cash prizes and certificates courtesy of DCTIPC member establishments namely: Builtsafe Hardware, GA Alano and Sons Credit Corporation, PNJ Lending Corporation, Montaño Foods Corporation, Dipolog Diamond Hardware, New 168 Enterprise, Dipolog Savers Mart, EJ Agrivet Trading Corporation, Isais Top Mktg., RAF Cycle Center, TYS Cellphone Marketing, Metrocom Cellphone and Accessories, Gleen’s Shoppers Choice, KLC Shopping Center, New 168 Variety Store, CCK Marketing, F1 Motorcycle Parts, Janvik Enterprises, Better Living Appliance Center, Dipolog Hans Marketing, Jelyco Enterprise, SAGA Motor, McDonalds Dipolog, Lee Plaza City Central, D’Friendly Mart and Vallecer Plaza.

DOLE ZDNFO Chief Aileen B. Mondejar concluded the event with her closing remarks thanking all the sponsors, DCTIPC Officers, DOLE staff who worked tirelessly to stage the competition.

“We hope that the same enthusiasm and fervor will still be demonstrated in the next years following the revival of Talenyado after the pandemic.

Tonight we witnessed an entertaining and peaceful culmination of the Labor Month as well as the cooperation between labor, management and government in action,” she said.

Talenyado is the brainchild of the DCTIPC in partnership with LGU Dipolog City and has been conducted annually since 2012 as a way of honoring the workforce during the celebration of Labor Day in Dipolog City. END/KCQG