Koronadal City (17 August) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) celebrates the "Buwan ng Wika" with a string of literary contests such as "Tagisan ng Talino", "Pagpapahusay sa Sanaysay" and "Talumpating di-Handa" and also cultural contests both in the elementary and secondary level.

This year's theme is "Ang Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa ay buwan ng lahat na wika sa Pilipinas".

According to Luzviminda Ronquillo of DepEd Region 12 that twenty-seven (27) high school students in the nine (9) divisions under its supervision competed in the said contest. With this, the top three (3) winners were selected to present the region in the national finals that will be held on August 17, 2006 in the Regional Learning Center, Marikina City, Metro Manila.

The winners were as follows: 1st place - Paul Randy Ginarao of Kidapawan City National High School, Kidapawan City, 2nd place- Erlyn Fay dela Rosa of Gen. Santos City High School, Gen. Santos City, 3rd place- Charity Mae Gutierrez of Cotabato City National High School.

The prizes for the winners are: 1st prize-P10,000, 2nd prize-P7,000, 3rd place-P5,000, 4th place-P3,000 and 5th place-P2,000. Non-winners will receive certificates.

Fifty-one (51) high school students representing 17 regions will compete in the said contest.