NEWS FEATURE |  𝗔𝗻 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴: 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗥𝗗 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗚. 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘇𝗼'𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗘𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗮

July 03, 2026

BUTUAN CITY—𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗱𝘆. 𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟭, 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗮 𝗛𝘆𝗺𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗘𝗱) 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

As Dr. Allan G. Farnazo, CESO III, stepped into his new workplace, he was greeted not only with formalities but also with warm smiles, heartfelt applause, and a community eager to embrace a new leader. The atmosphere was light yet meaningful—a reminder that leadership begins not merely with an appointment but with the relationships built from the very first day.

The welcome program unfolded as more than a ceremonial gathering. It became a celebration of unity, where every performance reflected the Regional Office's collective hope for the future. Personnel from the different functional divisions took turns filling the venue with music and dance, offering not only entertainment but also a heartfelt expression of support and confidence in Director Farnazo's leadership.

Tokens of appreciation were presented as symbols of partnership and shared commitment, reinforcing the message that leadership in DepEd Caraga is never carried by one person alone but by an entire community working toward a common purpose.

Yet amid the songs, performances, and applause, it was a simple metaphor that resonated most deeply.

"I came with an empty cup because I want you to fill it the Caraganon way, but I did not come unprepared."

With those words, Director Farnazo painted a picture of the kind of leadership he hopes to cultivate—one rooted in humility, openness, and genuine collaboration. Rather than arriving with all the answers, he expressed his desire to learn from the people, culture, and experiences that have shaped DepEd Caraga through the years.

He further shared the leadership philosophy he intends to bring to the region.

"The leadership that is focused and very engaging, that is the kind of leadership I want."

He emphasized that meaningful leadership thrives through active participation, collaboration, and open communication with every member of the organization.

"Akong template sa trabaho is engaging and facilitating, and that is the best service."

The "empty cup" became more than a figure of speech. It symbolized a leader willing to listen before leading, to understand before deciding, and to grow alongside the people he now serves. His words reflected a leadership style anchored in engagement and facilitation—one that values empowering people, encouraging collaboration, and ensuring that quality public service remains at the heart of every initiative. It was an invitation for every employee to become part of the journey, recognizing that the collective wisdom of the organization enriches meaningful leadership.

The program took another heartfelt turn when Director Farnazo surprised the audience by performing "When the Children Cry" by White Lion. The timeless ballad, with its message of hope and responsibility toward future generations, resonated deeply with educators whose daily work centers on improving learners' lives.

As the final notes faded, Director Farnazo extended one more invitation—not to speak, but to sing.

Together with Regional Office personnel, he led everyone in "Welcome to the Family," transforming the closing moments into a shared expression of belonging. Voices blended across offices and divisions, dissolving formal titles in favor of something more enduring: a sense of community.

Sometimes, the strongest introductions are not delivered through speeches or ceremonies but through shared moments that remind people why they chose to serve in the first place. On that first day, an empty cup became a symbol of humility, and a shared song became the first harmony of a leadership built on trust, collaboration, and a common vision.

As DepEd Caraga moves forward under Director Farnazo's leadership, the welcome served as more than a reception—it became a promise that the region's pursuit of quality, accessible, relevant, and inclusive basic education will continue to be guided by unity, shared purpose, and the unwavering commitment of every member of the DepEd Caraga family.

For more information, contact (085) 221-1151, 0961-737-0873, or 0915-808-4734. Website: www.caraga.deped.gov.ph; email: caraga@deped.gov.ph; pau_caraga@deped.gov.ph

By: Jairha Anne T. Sususco

TA I - ESSD

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