DepEd Digos City

To all our beloved teachers, today is a reminder that while you tirelessly give your time, strength, patience, and heart to our learners, this day is for you. Teacher, ikaw naman!

We recognize the sacrifices behind every lesson prepared, every learner encouraged, every challenge patiently faced, and every child given another chance to succeed. Your work goes beyond the classroom—it shapes lives, builds dreams, and strengthens our community.

Please know that here in Digos City, you are valued, appreciated, and cared for. Your well-being matters to us because we know that when our teachers are supported, our learners thrive.

Today, allow yourselves to pause, breathe, and feel the gratitude of the many lives you have touched.

Thank you for your noble service, your unwavering commitment, and your heart for every learner.

Teacher, ikaw naman! This time, let the appreciation, care, and love be for YOU.

Happy World Teachers’ Day to our amazing teachers! 💗

More Than a Medal: Carmela Uy’s Journey to HKMO Gold

A gold medal may be small, but for Carmela Celeste F. Uy, it represents courage, perseverance, and the decision to never give up.

As a Secondary Two category participant, she earned Gold in the HKMO Heat Round on May 17, 2026, and the Final Round on August 22, 2026, both held online.

"I was shocked and in disbelief at first, I could not believe my eyes!” she recalled. Her journey began in Grade 5 when Ma’am Nesylda Alpacion encouraged her to join her first math contest. Later, Ma’am Elline Chan introduced her to TIMO, inspiring her to pursue more competitions.

Carmela prepared for the Heat Round for about two weeks through MoTLI’s online review and personal practice.

But preparing for the Final Round brought a greater challenge. Only 27 to 28 days after undergoing surgery, she had to compete on August 22.

The effects of the surgery caused her to forget much of what she had learned, forcing her to relearn concepts from the basics. Still, she continued training.

Her coach, Dr. Wellisa P. Milca, saw her determination firsthand. “Winning an international competition for the first time was truly an overwhelming and unforgettable moment for me as a coach,” she shared, describing the experience as one filled with pride, joy, and gratitude.

For Carmela, the victory means more than an award. She shared, "It’s the ultimate proof that all those hours, days, and even weeks spent wrestling with complex number theory, probability, geometry, and other challenging problems actually paid off.”

Her parents were also central to her journey, providing constant support and encouragement. She remembers her mother making sure she had everything she needed during competitions, from snacks to a warm drink.

Through HKMO, Carmela learned that training, perseverance, and passion can turn challenges into possibilities.

Now, Carmela hopes to compete and excel not only in mathematics but also in English and perhaps science.

She encourages fellow students to go above and beyond your capabilities and step over your boundaries.

For her, competitions are opportunities to discover what she can do and what she can still improve.

Supporting learners like Carmela is a shared effort. Dr. Jem Boy Cabrella, Education Program Supervisor in Math, emphasized the importance of collaboration among school heads, Mathematics coordinators, coaches, teachers, and learners when he said, "Do not be afraid to join. Every contest is a chance to discover what you can do and what you can still improve."

He added, "Sa akong gibati, very fulfilling gyud. Seeing our learners participate—and especially seeing them win—makes all the preparation worthwhile. More than the medals, I am proud that they learned resilience and confidence.”

Carmela’s HKMO Gold, therefore, is more than a medal—it is a testament to resilience, support, and the courage to begin again.

Writer: Imma Tessie Donne D. Llemit

Salamat, G**o, sa dedikasyon na ginagawang posible ang pagkatuto at hinuhubog ang kinabukasan.

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