Childlink Learning Center and Childlink High School Inc. successfully presented its annual school play, “The Olympian Linker,” on March 28, 2026, at the Guang Ming Theater, V. Rama Avenue, Cebu City.
Held in celebration of National Arts Month, the school brought together students, faculty, parents, and community partners in an inspiring showcase of talent and excellence.
Childlink Chorale – The Childlink Chorale graced the event with their stunning voices with the song, Light the Fire Within. Through this song, audiences were reminded that each one of us has the light that shines within us. “We can show the world our very best, reveal what is in our heart so the story goes and glory will never end. Inspiration lights the fire within.” Teacher Chrisline Manaba, one of the school faculty, rendered a superb performance together with the chorale.
CHAMPIONING THE OLYMPIAN SPIRIT
The program opened with a solemn prayer by the Childlink Chorale. From the outset, the performances demonstrated the breadth of student talent across all levels. Preschool learners charmed the audience with a gymnastics dance, while the all-girl dance club delivered a fierce, high-energy number inspired by “Girl on Fire.”
Childlink Rondalla – The Childlink Rondalla performed the Pista sa Nayon. Through this performance, Linkers celebrated the spirit of the Filipino athlete. Through our nation’s athletes, the entire nation have celebrated the Filipino skill, talent and legacy through sports.
Filipino pride took the spotlight through a rondalla performance by the Linker Rondalla Ensemble, which rendered beloved local songs such as “Pista sa Nayon.” The global spirit of the Olympics was echoed in a moving rendition of “You and Me,” the theme from the Beijing Olympics, followed by an electrifying dance performance from the high school Linkers.
Zonta Club of Cebu II – The Zonta Club of Cebu II was given a tribute as one of the organizations who have given its invaluable support to Childlink in helping students in their journey in developing young leaders through community service and advocacy.
A highlight of the program was the tribute to outstanding alumni, parents, partner organizations, and sponsors, accompanied by the song “I Can Go the Distance,” performed by Mr. Clinton Toting. The recognition honored individuals and groups including, Zonta Club 2, Cebu Normal University, and the Cebu Filipino-Chinese Volunteers Fire Brigade, whose contributions continue to support the school’s mission.
Torch bearer – The significance of the Olympic spirit begins and ends the torch lighting. The Olympic arena” was filled with not only athletes, but Olympians in life. Respect, love, acceptance, happiness, responsibility, cooperation, humility, honesty, simplicity, freedom, peace and unity – these are the real victories.
The play culminated in a symbolic torch-lighting ceremony, reinforcing the central message of the production: that every student carries within them the spirit of an Olympian.
RAISING CHAMPIONS THROUGH COLLABORATION
Maria Theresa Tio, founder and school directress of Childlink, emphasized that the production goes beyond performance. “Every Linker is being prepared for the greatest Olympics of all: life,” she said. “We believe that champions are not only measured by medals, but by values.”
School director – School director, Maria Theresa Tio welcomes all the guests where she said that The Olympian Linker transforms the Childlink Learning Center and Childlink High School, Inc. transforms into an Olympic arena, not just in sports but of character and what it means to truly triumph.
She underscored that true success lies in character and community. “Champions face life’s challenges with respect, love, acceptance, responsibility, humility, and unity. We are already winners when we possess ease. We are victorious when success comes not only from skill, but from character, and the support of a loving community.”
For Tio, the annual school play remains both a tradition and a benchmark of student growth. “We hold a school play every March because it coincides with National Arts Month. For me, the success of the school year really happens in March. This is when we see the development of the children, especially the younger ones who, by this time, are already able to perform on stage,” she shared.
Maria Theresa Tio, founder and school directress of Childlink Learning Center and Childlink High School Inc.
She also highlighted the importance of collaboration in bringing the production to life. “We’ve been doing collaborations for a long time. This year, we’re working with the Tapok-Tapok,” she said.
Despite the challenges of rehearsals, Tio described the production as a collective success. “A school play is a collective effort. It cannot be successful without the support of the parents and the collaboration of the community. That, for us, is the real essence of success.”
SCHOOL PLAY: A PLATFORM FOR GROWTH
Students themselves echoed this sentiment. High school performer Samantha Isabella Hontiveros shared that her most memorable moment was performing alongside her peers. “My proudest moment on stage was dancing with my classmates, schoolmates, and our dance troupe. Dancing is really something I love to do, and doing it with them just made it even better,” she said.
Reflecting on the experience, she added, “School can be stressful and tiring, but moments like this remind me how special it really is.”
Anton Hontiveros with daughter Samantha Isabella
Parents also expressed pride in the students’ achievements. Anton Hontiveros, Samantha’s father, noted the impact of the annual production on students’ development. “We always look forward to the school play every year. It exposes the students to the performing arts, and I’ve really seen how it builds their confidence over time,” he said. “You can really see them grow, not just in skill, but in confidence.”
Childlink Dance Club – The Childlink Dance Club performed a dance entitled, Girl on Fire that was performed live by the Childlink Modern Band and sang by Teacher Ena Pogoy, one of the school’s faculty. The dance showed how “fierce” collaboration creates success in every performance. Teamwork is sharing a dream and purpose.
Grades 1-3 – Elementary students from Grades 1-3 performed The Champion where they depicted themselves as runners. As runners, the Linkers sent out the message that in everything that we do, we should give it our best, trust in the “training”, and trust in your team. We are all responsible for ourselves and for the team that we have made.
Kindergarten students – The Kindergarten students performed as swimmers in their performance of Viva La Vida by Coldplay. The dance was performed alongside the live performance of the Tapok Tapok orchestra. It was indeed a performance that showcased the discipline of the young kindergarteners.
High School – The High school Linkers showcased a dance that depicted three sports, soccer, volleyball, and basketball. The dance depicted the importance of values of humility, honesty and freedom as the anchors of “championing” life’s goals and challenges.
Grades 4- 6 – Elementary students Grades 4-6 performed as gymnasts for the song, Wo He Ni (You and Me), a Chinese song that was performed during the Beijing Olympics. This song was sang live by Linker students, Gianna Rubio and Raeden Lex Ng. Their performance shows how harmony and connection creates One World and One Family.
Nursery students – Making their debut in the “Olympic arena,” the nursery students performed as gymnasts. Their performance undermined the importance of the necessity of play. They are small and their joy is larger than life. The Preschool Linkers show us that in every game- whether you win or lose- happiness is in the trying.
Childlink Chorale – The school play ended with the Childlink Chorale’s performance of One World. Every Linker is a champion and together, we brighten the world with that brilliant fire within so that we can be our fullest selves, in this one world.
Teacher Clinton – A former English eacher of the school, Clinton Toting was given a Linker Olympic Award for the exemplary service that he has given to the school. He performed the song, Go the Distance with the invited orchestra, Tapok Tapok.
Tio Family – Beaming with pride, the Tio Family poses for their annual pictorial every after school play event. The Tio family thanks the Childlink community for the collective effort, a trademark that Childlink has kept throughout its 29 years in the education industry.
The success of “The Olympian Linker” was made possible through the support of its partners and sponsors: Gold Sponsors Vic Enterprises, Drip Society, Windo World, and Top Builders Enterprises; Bronze Sponsors Cebu Pensione Plaza and Mr. and Mrs. Warren Leonor; Benefactors Purchaser’s Pharmacy, Dole, Delfi (Goya & Digestive), Four’s July Pharmacy, Fizzle Waffle, and Solea; and Donor Ever Consumer.
