Adi Joaquim Tolentino

CALABARZON (Region IV-A) has achieved the overall championship title at the National Festival of Talents (NFOT) 2025 held in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, from May 19 to 23, clinching a back-to-back victory.


Following closely behind, the National Capital Region (NCR) placed second overall, followed by Davao Region (Region XI), Central Visayas (Region VII), and SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII), completing the top five.

Among the highlights of the festival was MIMAROPA (Region IV-B) securing a double win in the Best in Regional Attire for both male and female categories, with Region XI earning the Best Decorated Kalesa award.

In the Technolympics category, a competitive event where students demonstrate their skills and expertise in vocational and technical fields, Region XII’s Athena Viktoria Calipjo Mia topped Food Preparation and Presentation, while NCR’s Romnick Cristobal and Samantha Stephanie  Umutoy led in Food Processing (Meat, Fish, and Vegetable).

Meanwhile, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)’s Lord Kaizzer Aquino and Aaron Jr.  Amansec triumphed in Bread and Pastry Production, and Michael Flores of Central Luzon (Region III) excelled in the Extension Cord with Switch Assembly contest, a contest showcasing learners’ practical skills in wiring and electrical assembly.

In Technical Drafting, Rafael Edyisca of Northern Mindanao (Region X) emerged victorious while IV-B’s Penelope Naisha Kardeleza stood out in Dish Gardening, continuing the region’s success in hands-on competitions.

At the Special Needs Education (SNED) Expo, NCR’s Rhian Gabrielle Pagbunucan won in Story Interpretation in Filipino Sign Language, while Nicolle Tamayo of Caraga (Region XIII) was hailed in Braille Reading using Unified English Braille.

Region X continued to demonstrate excellence with Jacob Soloveres and Travis Julian Fuentes dominating the STEMazing Number Race, while their regional teammates Anthony Nambio, Kristoffer Gerardo Diana, and Venice Angiela Grimaldo took the crown in STEMazing AGHAMazing.

In the literary contests, NCR’s Sydney Grace Marcaida led the Read-A-Thon Filipino Likhawento, with Region IV-A’s Jeocairey Lei Asher Vergara emerging as the winner in the Tahirawan category.

Kristina Mikaela Figuerres of CAR also brought pride to her region by topping the Bidyokasya Creation contest, a contest emphasizing critical reading and comprehension skills in Filipino.

Exemplifying English language mastery, Region X’s Khairee Ryyan Emam excelled in Story Retelling, Region I’s Yui Danielle Sayson took the Story Resolution Challenge, and Kristine Joy Cabigon claimed the top spot in the Five-Minute Advocacy Speech.

In the Musabaqah Islamic values competitions, Region IV-A’s Sittie Raima Ampuan triumphed in Oration (Naseehah).

BARMM’s Alnair Paunte topped the Qur’an Reading contest, while Region III’s Jabbar Hanapi excelled in Harf Touch.

Region XII’s Nurolhuda Panayaman was victorious in the Arabic Language Spelling (IMILAH) contest.

In history-focused challenges, Region V’s Xander Oira led the Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas competition, while Region XI’s Chloe Lynch Villa dominated the Pop Quiz.

Region IV-A’s Andre Sean Llanes stood out in Histopop Tindig: Paninindigan sa Isyung Panlipunan, showcasing strong advocacy and social awareness.

In the Lingo Stars Foreign Language Composition (FLC), Region IV-A’s Danica Lei Tecson won in Mandarin, Region III’s Erin Miguel Soteco in Spanish, CAR’s Alliyah Kerrin Abe in Japanese-Nihongo, and NCR’s Yo Han Koack in Korean.

In the Foreign Language Exposition (FLE), Region IV-A’s Chael Arion Ramos took the crown in Mandarin, followed by Region XII’s Prince Ace Gumpal in Spanish.

Region X’s Melody Amper won in Japanese-Nihongo, while Region XI’s Janelle Fabian secured the top prize in Korean.

In Sining Tanghalan, Region II displayed its creative spirit through Balye sa Kalye at Eksibisyon.

Region IV-A’s Hannah Rowe Muñasque won the Pintahusay painting contest, while Caraga’s Russiana Mae Ouano and Chal Chloe Gawat emerged as champions in Likhawitan (Composition).

NCR dominated both Katutubong Sayaw and Direk Ko, Ganap Mo, the latter represented by Jacob Shemuel Juaneza and Leeam Shemuel Juaneza.

Region V’s creative team, Elaiza Propogo, Norberto Zyrus Estrellado III, and Paul Matthew Palima, earned top honors in the Sineliksik competition.

Rounding out Region IV-A’s dominant performance, Jude Yosef Lara was hailed champion in Invitation Card Making using MS Productivity Tools.

NFOT is an annual Department of Education (DepEd) event that showcases the talents and skills of basic education learners through competitions in technical-vocational, arts, language, and science categories aligned with school curricula.

For the second year in a row, Region IV-A emerged as the overall champion, beginning its winning streak in Naga City, Cebu, on July 7–11, 2024.