My Journey to National Festival of Talents 2019
I was just an ordinary student, not that smart nor talented compared to everyone else. I
had a small circle of supportive friends, but everything changed when I started to attend
an experimental cooking contest in our school. I joined the contest having doubts about
myself, since I know I'm not good enough to represent our section, but I'm willing to
take the risk. I was able to get 2nd place in the Experimental Cookery Contest, and I'm
so happy because it is not bad for a first-timer just like me. I was in the 9th grade at the
time, and I admit, I gathered some confidence after being able to be in 2nd place as a
first-timer.
And when I was in the 10th grade, I re-joined the said competition, thinking that I would
be able to top it. I studied a lot for the competition. But when the competition was
ongoing, I encountered some trouble because of a lack of some ingredients that were
prepared for us. And my dishes aren't quite as good as I had hoped. And I got 2nd place
again that time. I was devastated, because I had worked hard, made a lot of effort, and
still, I was in second place.
As the months passed, and it was Christmas break, I was at home chilling when one of
my classmates called and said, "Kai, our principal is looking for you. She was trying to
reach you, but she couldn't."I was startled at that moment, because I had no idea what
was going on. I felt nervous during that time because I thought I was in trouble. Because
I have never been called by the principal since I started school. And after I talked to the
principal, it was for the food bazaar competition. I was chosen to represent our school
and the entire division of Iloilo.
I was overwhelmed that time, because it was my first time representing our school.
After 2 weeks of preparation, we had our competition in the month of January. It was a
3-day competition. As I move my gaze through each booth, I am struck by how talented
other divisions are, but we did our best.As the awarding ceremony started, my heart
started to beat faster, like I couldn't just breathe because I was too nervous to hear the
results. Because whoever wins will be the one to represent the entire West Visayas at
the National Level that will be held in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
And the awaited moment has arrived. The Division of Iloilo was announced as the
champion for the Food Bazaar Competition and will be the representative for the
National Level. Tears and joy are visible in our faces, for my couches and us, as a
representative. And in the last week of January, we flew to Dagupan City. At that
moment, I didn't have anything on my mind. Loss or win is okay for me, because having
an opportunity to compete nationally is already a win. But we just did our best. We
don't expect a lot more since a lot of talented and big cities and provinces joined the
National Festival of Talents. We just enjoyed our competition. But, with an unexpected
moment, we held on to 3rd place as Best Booth. We are all overwhelmed and happy at
the same time because we were able to bring home 3rd place in Best Booth at the
National Level.
As time passes by and with every opportunity that comes our way, we should grab it. No
matter how many times we tried and we always failed to achieve it, don't-lose-hope.
Because everyone has their own time to shine. Just wait for your time, because
everything you work hard for will be paid off.
