ANGELES CITY- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan lauded the students and teachers of the Angeles City National Trade School (ACNTS), during a Monday courtesy call, for being adjudged as the Festival of Talents regional champion by the Department of Education – Region III (DepEd-R3).

The ACNTS dance troupe bested 11 participating groups from all over Central Luzon in a dance showcase and competition held last January 5 at the DepEd Regional Office in the City of San Fernando.

“We feel much fulfilled that our youth in Angeles City are earning recognitions in the field of arts. This is a concrete manifestation that our intangible heritage are being kept not only among the elderlies but most importantly, are passed on to the youth,” said Mayor Pamintuan.

The dance group has been the official delegate of the city to the Sinukwan Festival from 2010 to present. The group also earned numerous recognitions on the said cultural festivity being a consistent top placer in street dance and free-interpretative dance categories, and even bagged the overall championship back in 2010 and 2012.

The ACNTS also won as the overall champion during the GraciAngeles Festival of Angels last year.

Also winning the regional Festival of Talents competition are the delegates from the Province of Bulacan ranking second place, and the Balanga City on the third place.

On the other hand, the Angeles City delegation is set to showcase more of the Angeleño artistry as they represent the region in the national championship dubbed “Sining Tanghalan” under the “Bayle sa Kalye” event to be held on January 21-26 in Dipolog City.

For his part, Mayor Pamintuan extended financial support to the delegation which will aid them with their airfare expenses. The mayor also vowed to continue in supporting the youth, and the promotion of local culture and the arts.

“We are very glad that the city government, through Mayor Pamintuan, gives support in this kind of endeavor by the DepEd. In fact, our students are very excited to perform and showcase the culture of the Angeleños and Kapampangans to the country.”” said ACNTS Principal Elizer Calma.

ACNTS head dance coach, Raymond Mangilit, is optimistic that the students will bring home the title since “the students have backgrounds on these kind of events since they have already participated in many competitions alike.”