STI College celebrated the grand finale of its annual STI Talent Search last November 21, drawing exceptional participants from different campuses and clusters nationwide. STIers, teachers, and guests from its 63 campuses nationwide all came to witness and cheer on their top student performers, this time, at a brand-new stage in Pampanga’s latest attraction, Pradera Islands Theme Park.
The national celebration of talents came alive with excitement and anticipation as the park officially opened its doors to STIers ready to enjoy and determine this year’s best across the four major categories: Battle of the Bands, Singing Idol, Hataw Sayaw, and the crowning of Mr. and Ms. STI.
“The STI Talent Search is more than a contest. It is also a platform that unites our students, celebrates their talents, and reinforces STI’s 42-year commitment to holistic, real-life education,” Karen Tabije, VP for Academics, said.
The Battle of the Bands immediately set the energy for a rock and roll atmosphere where, out of eight groups who vied for the title, Magna Carta from STI College Lipa emerged as the new champions with their powerful rock rendition of ‘Nagloko Ka Rin Naman’ by Humprey Lofranco.
“Reaching the Nationals for the first time is already a big achievement for us. We’ve been preparing for this piece since June, and we’re happy that we got to perform it today on a bigger stage,” the band shared. “It is always a great honor for student musicians like us to get a chance to share our talent with people through STI competitions like this.”
From the bands, the spotlight shifted to the solo artists who were ready to sing their hearts out. Marc Andrei Chavez of STI Tanauan was hailed as the Singing Idol Champion, pouring his heartfelt tribute to the Philippines through his performance of the highly patriotic rap song ‘Mahal Kong Pilipinas’ by artist JMara.
Chavez expressed his gratitude to STI for hosting the Talent Search, emphasizing that the institution has become a foundation for many in their talent discovery and development. He stressed the importance of celebrating music, arts, and culture, and giving more outlets for students to shine holistically. As he put it simply, “It all starts at school.”
Continuing the hype, students cheered once more for the Hataw Sayaw category, showcasing the diverse styles and original choreography of the competing dance groups. This year’s best was awarded to STI College Fairview’s Beyond the Box team, winning over the judges, composed of both locally and internationally renowned dancers, with their unique concept and clean execution.
“A lot of people had doubts about our dance style not being enough for Hataw Sayaw, but still, we took it as an inspiration to live up to our name,” Beyond the Box team leader Adrienne Naagas said. He explained that such competitions fuel their passion and dedication to dance and make them more active at school on top of academics.
For the highlight of the night, the much-anticipated Mr. and Ms. STI 2025 search featured a stunning lineup of 36 pageant hopefuls, each embodying confidence and pride of their respective campuses in front of some of the big names in the entertainment and pageant industry.
On talks of passing the crown, Ms. STI Philippines 2024 Chady Mae E. Carenan of STI College Balayan expressed that she feels happy and sad at the same time to be ending her reign. “I wish that they not only carry but actively apply STI’s core values and continue taking pride in it as they step into the real world,” she said.
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Finally, the newly crowned Mr. and Ms. STI 2025! Dustin Laxamana (STI College Alaminos) and Jehn Rossane Marbella (STI College San Fernando) expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming support from their fellow STIers throughout their pageant journey.
The evening concluded with the crowning of Dustin Laxamana from STI College Alaminos and Jehn Rossane Marbella of STI College San Fernando as the new Mr. and Ms. STI Philippines 2025. Among the finalists, the pair stood out by delivering exceptional performance on the runway and compelling answers during the Q&A portion.
This year’s STI Talent Search once again proved the kind of dedication the institution has in developing well-rounded students that excel in different areas beyond individual achievement. This inspiring excellence within the community is a testament to STI’s real-life education, shaping the youth with experiences that make them strive to be more.
For details, visit https://www.sti.edu/ to see what STI has to offer.