Voices of creativity, patriotism, and literary appreciation echoed throughout the gymnasium of Abuyog Community College (ACC) as second-year Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English students successfully staged the Speech Arts Festival on March 11, 2026, in collaboration with The Honeycomb.

Anchored on the theme “A Festival of Voices, Stories, and Visions of Tomorrow,” the event highlighted the transformative power of speech and storytelling as students showcased their talents in speech choir performances that celebrated Filipino identity, resilience, and social reflection.

The festival also marked a milestone for campus media and student creativity with the official launching of “Panagtigum: The Pulse of the Time,” the literary and arts folio of The Honeycomb.

Activities began with registration of the participants, facilitated by the group leaders of BSEd English 2A and 2E together with the Creative Team of The Honeycomb, ensuring a well-organized start to the festival.

The program formally opened with a prayer, setting the tone for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to the power of language and performance.

In his welcome message, Alvin V. Advincula, Coordinator of The Honeycomb and instructor of Speech and Theater Arts, emphasized the significance of nurturing communication skills and literary appreciation among future educators.

“Speech and literary arts allow us not only to communicate but to shape perspectives, challenge ideas, and inspire change,” Advincula shared.

The rationale of the event was delivered by Lorraine Superable, Editor-in-Chief of The Honeycomb. She underscored the importance of creating avenues where students can explore their creativity while strengthening their confidence in speech performance.

Participants were then formally introduced by Iris Anne Oliveron, News Editor of The Honeycomb, highlighting the participating sections and their selected literary pieces.

To ensure a fair and organized competition, the mechanics of the speech choir performances were presented by Jhanna Jacobe, second-year level representative of the English Guild of Abuyog Community College, while the official criteria for judging were explained by Alvin Advincula.

The performances were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges composed of:
Lorraine Superable, Editor-in-Chief of The Honeycomb, John Paul Adtoon, Technical Adviser of The Honeycomb, and Reynaliza Padero, faculty member from the College of Arts, Sciences and Education

Their expertise ensured that the performances were assessed based on delivery, interpretation, creativity, synchronization, and overall impact.

One of the most anticipated highlights of the event was the official unveiling of “Panagtigum: The Pulse of the Time,” the literary and arts folio of The Honeycomb.

The launching ceremony was led by John Fritz Cabalhin, Associate Editor of The Honeycomb, who introduced the concept of the folio and highlighted the collaborative efforts behind its production.

The festival continued with the highly anticipated speech choir performances by the BSEd English students, who brought classic and contemporary Filipino literary works to life through synchronized delivery, dramatic expression, and coordinated movement.

Students from BSEd 2A and BSEd 2E performed several notable pieces, including:
“The Resiliency of a Filipino” by William G. Bacani, “To the Filipino Youth” inspired by the writings of José Rizal, “The Anatomy of a Filipino” by Prof. Felix Bautista, and “I Am a Filipino” by Carlos P. Romulo

Each performance highlighted themes of nationalism, courage, perseverance, and cultural pride, reminding the audience of the enduring spirit of the Filipino people.

After the performances, the board of judges carefully deliberated before announcing the winners of the Speech Choir Competition.

The results were as follows:
Champion:
“To the Filipino Youth” — BSEd 2E
Second Place:
“The Resiliency of a Filipino” — BSEd 2E
Third Place:
“The Anatomy of a Filipino” — BSEd 2A
Fourth Place:
“The Resiliency of a Filipino” — BSEd 2A
Fifth Place:
“I Am a Filipino” — BSEd 2A
Sixth Place:
“To the Filipino Youth” — BSEd 2A

The winning performances demonstrated remarkable coordination, strong vocal dynamics, and insightful interpretation of the selected literary pieces.

Participants, organizers, and guests later gathered for a photo opportunity, commemorating the success of the event.

Following the program, restoration and clean-up activities were carried out by the BSEd 2A and 2E group leaders together with The Honeycomb Creative Team, demonstrating the spirit of teamwork and responsibility among the students.

More than a performance activity, the Speech Arts Festival and the Launching of “Panagtigum” served as a meaningful educational experience that encouraged students to build confidence in public speaking, deepen their appreciation of literature, and celebrate the power of communication.