The halls at the campus came alive with an all-out battle of skills and academic excellence for the annual STI Tagisan ng Talino (TNT) held across two venues—STI College Ortigas-Cainta on May 11-13, 2026, and Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City on May 14, 2026.
Aligned with the institution’s real-life education program, STI students from campuses nationwide showcase their skills and expertise in technology, communication, tourism, and culinary at the annual STI Tagisan ng Talino.
With participants coming from STI campuses nationwide, Tagisan ng Talino highlighted the values of preparation, teamwork, and confidence, as students maintained an atmosphere of sportsmanship, pushing boundaries for strengths and creativity.
A Test of Brains and Wits
Codefest kicked off the competition, challenging teams to work against the clock to create mobile applications that support disaster resilience. Featuring real-time alerts, incident reporting, evacuation mapping, and post-disaster assessments, their works showed how technology improves emergency communication, response and recovery.
Among the projects, Bayanihan, developed by a mix of STI College Rosario’s BS Information Technology college and Grade 12 students, stood out for addressing communication challenges during disasters with its innovative Bluetooth messaging feature.
“The support of our school was a huge factor in this achievement. They didn’t just provide us the training ground, but they also guided us and believed in our potential,” said Angelo Jhon Alegre, the team’s backend developer, in expressing his gratitude for the support they’ve received.
Hospitality students demonstrated their culinary craftsmanship during Chef Xpress, where they prepared a full three-course meal under time pressure, showcasing both technical skill and creativity.
At the same time, Worth the Whisk finalists brought their creations to life through storytelling, adding intricate sweet flower details to celebrate 40 years of love in their theme, “Ruby Floral Symphony”.
“Participating in school activities like Tagisan ng Talino helped me bring out everything I learned in our classes. It showed me that culinary arts are not just about following recipes perfectly, but about solving problems while staying calm under pressure,” said Wilgen Marie Remo, 3rd Year BS in Culinary Management student and this year’s Worth the Whisk National Champion.
Lessons from Classroom and Beyond
Centered on growth and self-awareness, the Essay Does It! and Stand Up and Deliver competitions challenged students to articulate their personal journeys with purpose. The writing category asked aspiring essayists: “How does knowing who you want to become influence the decisions you make today?” while the oratorical stage finalists faced thought-provoking prompt addressing exactly when a student should slow down or accelerate on the path to their goals.
Hailed as the Stand Up and Deliver Champion, Juliana Pamela Esguerra, 3rd Year BS in Tourism Management student, shared that her victory this year marks a meaningful redirection in her journey after falling short in the Travelogue competition last year. She emphasized the importance of trusting the value of persistence and having faith in her own journey.
For the Travelogue competition, Tourism students transported the judges and their audiences to Zambales, highlighting not only their knowledge of the destination but also their storytelling and presentation skills, bringing the scenic beauty and attractions of Mt. Pinatubo to life.
On the academic side, the Think Quest had students competing in a team quiz bee across a wide range of subjects, demonstrating both their intelligence and teamwork under pressure.
National finalists in the All in Place competition also demonstrated exceptional service etiquette by crafting elegant dining setups. Simultaneously, the Mix ‘N Flair competition highlighted the precision and artistry of bartending, with finalists impressing the panel through creative cocktail-making and dynamic flair routines.
Through annual events like Tagisan ng Talino, STI College continues to strengthen its commitment to holistic education—one that goes beyond grades and rankings to nurture curiosity, character, and collaboration.
Win or lose, these competitions empower students to think critically, work confidently with others, and embrace lifelong learning that prepares them for real-world success.
