Who would have thought that wood scraps and pieces of discarded planks and timber could be transformed into trophies?
A creative soul of Borongan City in Eastern Samar was able to see “trophies” in heaps of wood scraps, as a creative sculptor sees a lion or an eagle in a slab of stone.
Edgar Tenasas, officer-in-charge Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) of the Department of Education (DepEd)-Borongan City Division, is the creative force behind the unique idea of transforming waste material into something worth keeping as a prize for triumphs –trophies.
While most competitions feature shiny and mass-produced trophies that often gather dust on a shelf, the awards at the Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) and the Regional Festival of Talents (RFOT) 2025 tell a different story, which is more meaningful and powerful.
Edgar Tenasas, whose innovative approach to repurposing wood scraps, has given new life to trash.
Waste to worth
With Borongan City hosting the RSPC from February 7 to 11, and RFOT from February 16 to 19, 2025, Tenasas wanted the event to be more than just a showcase of talent. He wanted it to leave a lasting impact—not just on the participants, but on the environment.
“Our hosting of RSPC and RFOT is unique because we are using discarded materials to create trophies for the winners and tokens of appreciation for DepEd officials and guests,” Tenasas said.
“These pieces are not just awards; they are works of art that can even be displayed as home decor,” he added.
Tenasas led the design process, working alongside a skilled furniture maker in nearby San Julian.
However, rather than sourcing new materials, he took an unconventional approach.
During his visits to barangay schools within the city division, he collected discarded wood, sometimes buying pieces and other times receiving them as donations.
“All the trophies are made from different pieces of wood,” he said, emphasizing how no single trophy or token comes from just one type of timber.
Symbol of Borongan’s identity
Beyond their eco-friendly origins, these trophies carry a deep symbolic meaning. The intricate carvings showcase elements representing Borongan’s lush forests and diverse wildlife.
“Here in Borongan, we have vast forests and many bird species,” he explained. “The hands in the design symbolize protection—honoring nature rather than destroying it—while lifting up the student who earns this trophy.”
For Tenasas, transforming discarded materials into meaningful objects is both a challenge and a passion.
“No matter how ugly an object seems when combined with others, it takes on a beautiful design,” he said.
Lasting legacy
The innovation behind these trophies doesn’t stop at the awards ceremony. Inside the Borongan City Division Office, visitors are greeted by a stunning display of wooden artworks, all crafted from the same repurposed materials.
What was once scrap wood is now part of a meaningful artistic showcase, proving that sustainability and creativity can go hand in hand.
Tenasas hopes this initiative will inspire students, educators, artists, and communities to look at waste differently and see potential in what others discard.
Future generations’ challenge
As Borongan City welcomes students, educators, and officials from across the region for the RFOT 2025, Tenasas has one message: Winning is more than just taking home a trophy—it’s about carrying a purpose.
“These trophies represent talent, yes, but they also represent responsibility—a responsibility to our environment and to seeing value in things that others overlook,” he said.
So, when the RSPC and RFOT 2025 winners lift their handcrafted trophies, they will not only be holding symbols of their achievements but also carrying a piece of Borongan’s story with them.
It will also be a reminder that greatness isn’t just found in perfection—it can also be built from the pieces that others leave behind. (VTG, PIA Eastern Samar)
