DOLE QUEZON TURNS STORIES INTO AWARD-WINNING HOPE

The Department of Labor and Employment – Quezon Provincial Office (DOLE-QPO) recorded the highest number of awards among offices and divisions during the DOLE CALABARZON National Women’s Month Culminating Activity held on March 26, 2026 at the DOLE IV-A Regional Office Training Center in Calamba City, Laguna, in recognition of its notable contributions to gender advocacy through poetry, photography, and film—platforms that amplify women’s voices and foster community engagement through storytelling.

In a fitting tribute to courage, creativity, and public service, the Department of Labor and Employment – Quezon Provincial Office (DOLE-QPO) garnered the highest number of awards among offices and divisions during the DOLE CALABARZON National Women’s Month Culminating Activity held on March 26, 2026 at the DOLE IV-A Regional Office Training Center in Calamba City, Laguna, in recognition of its exemplary contributions to gender advocacy through poetry, photography, and film—platforms that elevate women’s voices and inspire communities through storytelling and inclusive engagement.

More than a showcase of talent, the recognition marked a deeper narrative: the power of public service to transform stories of struggle into platforms of empowerment. Across multiple categories, DOLE-QPO stood at the forefront, reflecting not only artistic excellence but also a profound commitment to advancing gender equality and social consciousness.

In the Empowering Verse (Poem Writing Contest), Government Intern Mr. Gester Hanz Dela Puerta secured a place among the top ten with his evocative piece, “Maputla Ma’y Mapula,” a work that speaks to quiet resilience beneath visible fragility. Meanwhile, in the Moments that Make Her (Mobile Photography) Contest, Ms. Treisha Lalaine Jagoba, a TUPAD Coordinator, captured the championship title through her photograph “Sa Alon ng Tapang,” an image that mirrors the strength of women rising amidst adversity. Also earning recognition were Abigail Gilpo and John Michael Cuarez, whose entries “Asinan” and “Ang Sapatera” were included in the top ten, further reinforcing DOLE-QPO’s narrative of collective excellence.

Yet it was in the Her Story, Our Future (GAD Short Film Festival) where DOLE-QPO delivered its most powerful statement. The short film “Pag-Alpas sa Hangganan ng Dagat,” written and directed by Supervising Labor and Employment Officer Mr. Franz Raymond J. Aquino, was awarded Best Picture, surpassing seven other entries. The film also garnered Best Editing honors, while its lead performer, Ms. Angelika Zara Cataytay, received Best Performance—bringing to life a story that resonated far beyond the screen.

Set against a quiet shoreline in Quezon, the film follows a woman raised between waves and obligation, where dreams often drown under the weight of poverty and silence is mistaken for virtue. As she confronts the unspoken question—“Is this the world meant for me?”—the narrative unfolds alongside the lived realities of communities grappling with poverty and child labor. It is a story not of loud rebellion, but of quiet awakening—the courage to admit that one’s dreams may be wider than the sea that raised them.

For DOLE-QPO, these victories are not merely accolades but affirmations of purpose.

Ms. Cristina H. Barayang, Officer-in-Charge of DOLE-QPO, lauded the team’s achievement, stating: “These awards are a testament to the passion, creativity, and unwavering commitment of our staff. Through your work, you have shown that public service is not only about delivering programs—it is also about telling the stories that matter and inspiring change. Congratulations to all of you for bringing honor not just to DOLE Quezon, but to the communities we serve.”

Indeed, behind every poem, photograph, and frame lies a shared mission—to give voice to the unheard, to illuminate realities often left unseen, and to remind every worker, every woman, and every community that dignity is not a distant ideal, but a right worth fighting for.

As the echoes of applause fade, one truth remains: in DOLE Quezon, stories are not just told—they are lived, uplifted, and transformed into waves of hope that carry people toward shores they once thought unreachable.

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DOLE QUEZON, GINAGAWANG PAG-ASA ANG MGA KUWENTO

Bilang isang makabuluhang pagkilala sa tapang, pagkamalikhain, at dedikasyon sa serbisyo publiko, kinilala ang Department of Labor and Employment – Quezon Provincial Office (DOLE-QPO) bilang may pinakamaraming parangal sa hanay ng mga tanggapan at dibisyon sa ginanap na DOLE CALABARZON National Women’s Month Culminating Activity noong Marso 26, 2026 sa DOLE IV-A Regional Office Training Center sa Calamba City, Laguna. Ang pagkilalang ito ay iginawad bilang pagkilala sa kanilang natatanging ambag sa adbokasiya ng kasarian sa pamamagitan ng tula, potograpiya, at pelikula—mga platapormang nagbibigay-boses sa kababaihan at nagbibigay-inspirasyon sa komunidad sa pamamagitan ng makabuluhang pagkukuwento at inklusibong partisipasyon.

Higit pa sa pagpapakita ng talento, ang parangal ay sumasalamin sa mas malalim na mensahe: ang kapangyarihan ng serbisyong publiko na gawing lakas ang mga kuwento ng pakikibaka tungo sa pagbibigay-kapangyarihan. Sa iba’t ibang kategorya, nanguna ang DOLE-QPO—hindi lamang sa husay artistiko kundi sa matibay nitong paninindigan sa pagsusulong ng pagkakapantay-pantay at kamalayang panlipunan.

Sa Empowering Verse (Poem Writing Contest), napabilang sa top 10 ang Government Intern na si Mr. Gester Hanz Dela Puerta sa pamamagitan ng kanyang obrang “Maputla Ma’y Mapula,” isang tulang sumasalamin sa tahimik ngunit matatag na katatagan sa kabila ng kahinaan. Samantala, sa Moments that Make Her (Mobile Photography) Contest, itinanghal na kampeon si Ms. Treisha Lalaine Jagoba, TUPAD Coordinator, sa kanyang litratong “Sa Alon ng Tapang,” na nagpapakita ng lakas ng kababaihang bumabangon sa gitna ng hamon. Kabilang din sa top 10 sina Abigail Gilpo at John Michael Cuarez sa kanilang mga obrang “Asinan” at “Ang Sapatera,” na lalo pang nagpapatibay sa kolektibong kahusayan ng DOLE-QPO.

Pinakamatingkad ang tagumpay ng DOLE-QPO sa Her Story, Our Future (GAD Short Film Festival), kung saan itinanghal na Best Picture ang maikling pelikulang “Pag-Alpas sa Hangganan ng Dagat,” na isinulat at idinirehe ni Supervising Labor and Employment Officer Mr. Franz Raymond J. Aquino, na tinalo ang pitong iba pang kalahok. Nasungkit din ng pelikula ang Best Editing, habang ang pangunahing aktres na si Ms. Angelika Zara Cataytay ay ginawaran ng Best Performance—isang patunay ng lalim at lakas ng kuwentong umabot lampas sa tabing.

Sa isang tahimik na baybayin sa Quezon umiikot ang kuwento ng pelikula—isang babaeng lumaki sa pagitan ng alon at obligasyon, kung saan ang pangarap ay madalas nalunod sa bigat ng kahirapan at ang katahimikan ay itinuturing na kabutihang asal. Sa kanyang pagharap sa tanong na matagal niyang kinikimkim—“Ito na ba ang mundong para sa akin?”—sumasalamin ang naratibo sa realidad ng mga komunidad na patuloy na nakikipaglaban sa kahirapan at child labor. Hindi ito kuwento ng malakas na paghihimagsik, kundi ng tahimik na paggising—ang lakas ng loob na amining ang pangarap ay mas malawak kaysa sa dagat na kanyang kinagisnan.

Para sa DOLE-QPO, ang mga tagumpay na ito ay hindi lamang tropeo kundi malinaw na patunay ng kanilang layunin.

Ayon kay Ms. Cristina H. Barayang, Officer-in-Charge ng DOLE-QPO: “Ang mga parangal na ito ay patunay ng dedikasyon, pagkamalikhain, at malasakit ng ating mga kawani. Ipinakita ninyo na ang serbisyo publiko ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagbibigay ng programa—ito rin ay tungkol sa pagbibigay-boses sa mahahalagang kuwento at pagbibigay-inspirasyon sa pagbabago. Binabati ko kayong lahat sa karangalang inyong dinala hindi lamang sa DOLE Quezon kundi sa mga komunidad na ating pinaglilingkuran.”

Sa likod ng bawat tula, larawan, at eksena ay iisang layunin—ang bigyang-boses ang hindi naririnig, liwanagin ang mga katotohanang madalas hindi napapansin, at ipaalala sa bawat manggagawa, bawat babae, at bawat komunidad na ang dignidad ay hindi lamang pangarap kundi isang karapatang dapat ipaglaban.

At habang unti-unting humuhupa ang palakpakan, isang katotohanan ang nananatili: sa DOLE Quezon, ang mga kuwento ay hindi lamang isinasalaysay—ito ay isinasabuhay, pinagyayaman, at ginagawang alon ng pag-asa tungo sa mga pampang na minsang inakalang hindi maaabot.