1st speech chorale competition held

by CHRISTOPHER DE VERA and GILBERT PEÑAFLORB

OOMLAY, BOOMLAY, BOOMLAY…BOOM!

“The Congo” written by Vachel Lindsay, was the literary piece with the most number of interpretations, in  the first-ever speech chorale competition held at the PNTC Colleges Manila last March.

The piece is a cultural representation of Congo’s indigenous people, who depend chiefly on the use of natural sounds. With tribal theme, The Congo tackles racial disparity.

Of the 10 groups, participants from Marine Transportation (MT)32- A3 emerged as the grand winner; MT32-A8 came at second place and MT32-A7 at third place.

“Put more emphasis in this field of endeavor because our school is more on the technical side. We should not neglect [the Arts] as a field of study, too,” said Prof. Jaime Tee in his opening remarks.

Tee, completed the board of judges composed of Training Resource Center Administrator Mr. Godofredo Pablo, on behalf of the school’s Executive Vice President (EVP) Atty. Bienvenido Cerbo Jr., VP for Administration Ms. Circe Concepcion, Customs Administration OIC Mrs. Lourdes de Vera, Human Resources Supervisor Mr. Michael Lao and faculty member Ms. Sheila Chua.

Interpretation, diction and vocal expression, stage presence and precision of movements, and costume designs were the judging criteria.

Organized by the English Honor Society (EHS) led by its president and The BEACON chief editor Felicito Dimzon III—together with these writers, who hosted the event—the speech chorale competition aims at honing students’ skill in interpreting a literary piece, while inviting participation and unity among students.

“I am glad that EHS has come to initiate this kind of activity to enhance and develop, promote and propagate arts for our school,” Tee added. 

Faculty members Dr. Lolita Fernandez and Dr. Ma. Delia Arabejo currently head EHS, the school’s sole and official English student organization.