DALITEXT: Reawakening the Phoenix Within
Haiku… tanka… Any self-respecting devotee of literature will probably have these words stored up somewhere in their gray matter. If you have no idea what they mean or worse, haven’t even come across them some time or the other, brush up on your literature 101 or better yet, abandon ship right now (like everybody else!) for your loyalties lay elsewhere.
But while haiku and tanka, both Japanese verses, are already clichéd terms in the Filipino art world, our very own Tagalog verses, dalit, dyona and tanaga are… Rewind. Rewind. Rewind. Dalit, dyona, tanaga, what???????????
Need I say more?
Merging Time Zones
In an effort to introduce pre-hispanic Tagalog verses into the world of Filipino poets, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in cooperation with the Filipinas Institute of Translation, Inc. (FIT), Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL), and the UP Institute of Creative Writing (UP-ICW), came up with DALITEXT. By simply texting a dalit, which is an eight-syllabic quatrain, poets will have the chance to get their works published— with a capital P. Designed by Fidel Rillo with original artworks by Egai Fernandez, the folio containing all the winners, could even become a collector’s item in the future. Not bad for a measly peso!
The product of the fertile mind of ICW director Vim Nadera, the contest aims to reconnect us to the Philippines’ oldest forms of poetry. “It’s really a shame that we can recognize foreign forms of poetry and yet we do not even know our own,” he says. True enough, while haiku and tanka are already taught in most high school lit classes, the same could not be said of the dalit. “Most of our teachers are not even aware of our literary traditions. Isn’t it about time that we show them that these are not the only forms of poetry?” Even National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario acknowledged that even the most literate have not had a brush with these terms. “Not many people know about these native poetic forms. Yet, this is our own. It should be something that we should be proud of and something that our writers should use.”
Winning the War
The war may not be over yet but each battle is most definitely won. “By using modern day technology like texting, we hope to reach as many people as we can and encourage them to use these Tagalog poetic forms,” Nadera stresses. And with the Filipinos’ unceasing love affair with “text,” this should be a match made in literary heaven. “With this project, we are not only merging the past and the present… the poetic forms of the east and the technology of the west but we are also marrying the Arts and the Sciences,” he continues. “It was so easy to join. It’s just a text away. That actually encouraged me more than anything else,” comments 2nd week winner Desiree Lustre, a student taking up Araling Filipino in UP. Centering on the subject of social crisis, politics and love of country, the timing of the Oakwood mutiny could not have been more perfect. “Awareness of contemporary events remained high among the poets,” Almario observes.
From virtual found-only-in-moldy-textbooks obscurity, dalit has finally been able to see the “sunlight,” so to speak. Though it might not be part of most people’s vocabulary but at least it has found its place in some. Slowly but surely, the awareness campaign for these “indigenous” literary verses is gaining ground. “When we had the TEXTANAGA last February, we received about 3000 entries per week, now we are getting 4000,” he shares, bursting with pride. And he has the right to be! For not only were they able to get entries from the provinces, they were also able to penetrate the international market. “It really came as a surprise… a welcome surprise. We received entries from as far as Qatar and Korea. Somebody from Saudi Arabia even won,” he excitedly mentions. TEXTANAGA, for the benefit of those who are shaking their heads in confusion, is another contest that NCCA has organized in celebration of the National Arts Month. It basically has the same contest format as DALITEXT except that contestants have to text in a tanaga, which is a seven syllabic quatrain. “It actually started it all. When they saw how successful it became, NCCA gave us a bigger budget,” Nadera relates, enthusiastically showing the shirts, stickers and mugs that they were able to produce for the winners. Seeing how people responded to DALITEXT and TEXTANAGA, some members of his colleagues are actually thinking of doing similar contests in Visayas and Mindanao, this time popularizing Visayan and Muslim poetic forms through text messaging. As another testament of its success, NCCA will be launching another contest in November or December- TEXTDIONA.
A Trip Down Literary Lane
While a four line poem may seem undaunting at first, when you actually write the poem and pour hour after hour of unproductive creative effort the truth will just hit you in the face— writing a dalit is not as easy as one would think. “We are very strict in judging. We look at the form and the content,” Nadera discloses. Before actually reaching the final judging, the “dalits” are screened. Syllables of each line are carefully checked. Those that did not follow the prescribed number of syllables were deleted. Composing a dalit, however, is mincemeat compared to actually making one that would stand out among the rest— 4000 entries to be precise. “Competing against all the entries every week, winning even a consolation prize is already quite an achievement,” exclaims Desiree. Well… with such literary greats as Virgilio Almario, Vim Nadera, Romulo Baquiran, Lamberto Antonio, Mike Corroza and Rebecca Anonuevo, wielding the poetic hatchet, this might as well be the Palanca. (So, I’m exaggerating…) Surprisingly, not all of the winners were “pros” in their field. A lot are into professions that are not “artsy”, so to speak. Some are engineers, scientists, and even businessmen. A few did not even have any previous experience in poetry. “This was actually my first time to write a poem. I wasn’t expecting to win, to even be the only woman to win first place, because katuwaan lang siya,” relates 4th week first prize winner Myra Praxidio, a nursing student at World City College in Cainta, Rizal. For others, DALITEXT became the key that reopened the door to writing. “When I was young, I used to join writing contests. I wasn’t that serious about writing though. This is actually my first time to write after a long period of not writing,” reveals second year Psychology student Karina Montesines, one of the consolation prize winners. “Because of this, I am actually thinking of going back into writing. I am planning to attend some workshops.”
Not only did DALITEXT succeed in reviving our country’s dying poetic forms but like the phoenix, it also managed to resurrect the waning spirits of our writers from the ashes of disillusionment.
Modern Day (Math) Warriors
It is not everyday that people find their life’s passion. While others flounder, seeking their place in this world, others need no life maps to find their destined paths.
While solving math equations might be a fate worse than death for some, for junior math whizzes Jose Fernando Obillos, Abdel Hadi Mohammad Isa, and Mark Revelo, it is the best thing since the abacus. Toddler Jose recalls how he would always play with numbers. “Unlike other children, I enjoyed number games.” It wasn’t until later though that he realized his talent in navigating through the intricate world of Mathematics. “Math would always have the highest grade in my report card,” he confides. And like a regular trooper, he made sure he developed that little talent through training and practice. Having parents who do not deal with numbers in their professional life, he is a bit perplexed on where he got the “number genes”. “I think I got it from my grandfather, who was also good in Math,” he said. For Abdel, number equations seem to be a relative part of his gene pool. “My father, being an engineer, is very good in Math” Like Jose, Abdel’s gift became evident at an early age. “In grade two, I was already joining math contests in school. It was only in grade 4 that I started training under MTG,” he recalls.
Creaming the Crop
Joining the 1st Asia Intercity Teenagers Mathematics Olympiad in Fuzhou City, China was both the culmination of a lifelong dream and the start of a journey fraught with thorns and, to borrow one Amazing Race term, “roadblocks”. Going for the home stretch is certainly not a walk in the park. “We had to go through a lot to get to the finals,” reveals Jose, a sophomore at the Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus. Of course, the phrase “going through a lot” was putting it a tad mildly. According to Coach Judee Bacus, the students had to survive one elimination round after another before they were given the golden ticket so to speak. “To even join the MTG [Mathematics Trainers Guild] training, one must be able to pass a qualifying test.” Students, who have been training at different MTG centers all over the country every Saturday, were chosen to represent their provinces in the national level by virtue of their performance in the final examination. From a pool of 600 math wizards, only 30 elementary students and 30 high school students will be selected to represent the country in China. “Having just one contestant from our school is already an honor. To have three is more than we could ever hope for,” Ms. Bacus proudly mentions. According to PSHS-SMC Director Rosita V. Fundador this is not only a triumph for their school but also for Mindanao. “These students represent the divergent culture in Mindanao. These are Christians and Muslims working together. They will not only compete in China but they will also be ambassadors of understanding to other Asian youth.”
Training and preparations, however, did not end there. As if throwing their leisure time down the drain by studying the laws of Mathematics on a Saturday (several Saturdays for that matter) is not enough, they also had to sacrifice one summer vacation ensconced in classrooms with only numbers for company. “Jose and I spent the summer training in Manila while Abdel trained in the Zamboanga center,” tells Mark, who won the Excellence Award, which is equivalent to fourth place. Not that they are complaining of course. “We actually need to add more training days for international questions,” says Abdel, who is clearly not satisfied with the two months allotted for them. “Some of the questions were pretty advanced. We have not taken it up here,” he continues. According to Ms. Bacus, there will be questions that will be totally foreign to the students. “Our Mathematics here is far behind compared to Hong Kong, which has a good curriculum. Philippine Science [High School] has remained competitive but what about other schools?” Filipinos are very talented. Unfortunately, most are not given the chance to develop their talents.
On the Battleground
Jose, in his customary candid self said to his coach, “Ma’am, I’m afraid to go to China.” And who wouldn’t? Being suddenly thrusted into the international arena is enough to send shock waves into anyone. To say the least, the contest was quite nerve wracking. “I was so nervous that I slept for 10 minutes during the contest just to relax for a while,” Jose confesses with a quick smile. Though they have already prepared for the worst, nothing comes close to the real thing. “My main fear is to suffer from mental block. I was always psyching myself up to concentrate on the problem,” he goes on to say. In the individual level, the students were given two hours to solve 10 questions for the first round and 7 difficult questions for the following round, in which they were required to show their solutions to the judges. Although two hours may seem long enough to compute for everything, the questions were so tricky that it wasn’t enough. “One of the things that my parents told me before I left is not to cram, else I will panic,” relates Jose. Parents of Mark had the same idea when they told him to treat each question seriously. The format in the group level is more or less the same except that questions are distributed to a four-student team. “MTG told us to give the easy questions to the most capable and distribute the hard ones to the others. This way, we could get the most number of points,” explains Abdel. Since all the questions, whether easy or difficult, are given weighted equally, it is practical to concentrate on quantity rather than on the level of difficulty.
It was not all number computations, time pressures and frayed nerves though. Before the contest, the students were toured around Fujian. “I had a great time at Wuyishan, where we hiked until our feet hurt,” Jose exclaims. Abdel shares the same favorite spot. “We climbed the Great King Tip and the Roaring Tiger Peak. It was tiring but well worth it,” his excitement written all over his countenance. A cultural show was also held after the contest where each foreign delegate was asked to perform a local dance to a crowd of onlookers. “It was fun doing the fiesta dance even though I am not much of a dancer,” Jose recalls.
Undoubtedly, their Chinese connection will hold fond memories. “We may not have placed the way we planned to but we left there already winners. I met a lot of people, visited different places, and had the time of my life,” Jose relates. But more than the lecture on pop culture, the experience also made them realize some things about themselves. “Suddenly, it dawned on me that I could do it. I had the ability to solve difficult math questions and go head to head with foreign delegates. I believe more in myself now.” Their newfound confidence will definitely serve these math warriors well in the coming years. For the contest may have ended. But life has barely begun.
The road to greatness is laden with both roses and thorns. And though roses may make the journey a little brighter, it is the thorns that make it shine.
Towards a better Filipino youth
Perhaps two of the many stereotypes that contribute to the disintegration of Philippine society is the belief that young Filipinos do not know enough, have not lived long enough, and have not experienced enough to understand and act on the issues that pervade the country; and the notion that the Filipinos belong to the inferior race.
It took a five-day competition to change a perception that has been ingrained for so many years. More than prizes and trophies, Filipino delegates at the 2004 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) gained a new perspective on themselves and of their being Filipinos.
Armed with only their passion for science and their will to do their country proud, 10 young scientists went on to prove to the world and most especially to themselves that neither age nor nationality nor the fact that the country is lagging behind in science and engineering programs could stand in the way of their triumph in the international arena.
Filipinos at their best
With more than 1,200 young scientists from across 40 countries competing for several awards in the prestigious event, to win is something that one hopes for but never expects. For some, to compete in the fair is winning in itself as only a few are given such an opportunity.
“I never really expected to win in the national level, let alone in the international level. To represent the country is already an honor. But of course, I will try my best and do my country proud,” says Joy Anne Aquino before she flew to Oregon with the other delegates. Joy Anne certainly did not disappoint those who believed in her. Her project, which tackles the use of the venom of a sea snake as an anti-microbial agent, won fourth place Grand Award for Medicine and Health and was adjudged first place by the American Veterinary Association.
Joining her at the podium were the two team delegates who scored double victories. The Manila Science High School team, composed of Anne Margrette Velasquez, Maria Katrina Rivera, and Alan Ray Gonzales claimed the Third Grand Award in the Team category for their project that attempts to develop an electrode from green mussels. Representatives from the Philippine Science High School, Trina Napasindayao, Melanie Melchor and Jayson Reggie Obos also gave foreign teams a run for their money, grabbing the Fourth Place Grand Award for the Team category.
Yet more than the money and the trophies, the delegates feel that it is the wealth of experience and lessons learned that they would carry with them throughout their lives.
“Competing in an international competition is something that I have never done before. I have learned a lot from the trip. I changed a lot. I gained confidence in myself, in my abilities. This is truly something that could really affect a person’s life,” discloses Joy Anne.
The Filipino youth can
But if there is one lesson that they have learned in ISEF that would play a pivotal role in their lives, it is the realization that Filipinos can become the best.
“It made me proud to represent the country. I was so happy especially when a foreigner congratulated me and said that our country has a good science program. It really changed my life and my perspective. Now, I could finally say that I am indeed proud to be a Filipino,” relates Anna Katrina Bautista, a representative in the individual category.
Having the notion that western countries are always superior in the areas of science and technology, it surprised most of them when they found out that some of the contestants from foreign countries could not even explain how their project works or what a protein is, which is one of the basic concepts in chemistry and biology.
“Seeing all those students there, we really didn’t believe that we would have a chance. mean, we are third or fourth to the last in the world in terms of science subjects. I also have this perception before that if you are an American or any nationality, superior ka. And yet we won. It was only then that I realized that being the last in the world does not mean that we would always be last. May ibubuga din pala tayo…we can compete with the best in the world. Even if we don’t have that much resources, we can improve ourselves. We can compete and even win when given the chance. We can show these people that we can be the first,” enthuses Anne Margrette.
Clamoring for Reforms
Having said thus, they still feel that there is much to do and improve in the way Science programs is being implemented. Most of them believe that scientific research projects should be encourages in all science classes. Science programs like those in Science schools like Manila Science and Philippine Science should also be implemented in all private and public high schools.
However, having no such programs in school should hinder students from their goals of going to ISEF. Joy Anne, who comes from E. Rodriguez Jr., High School in Quezon City, cites her own experience. “I am not from a Science high school but here I am. Coming from an ordinary school did not stop me from fulfilling my dreams. Iba rin ang nagagawa ng sipag at determinasyon. Hindi porke, sa ordinary high school ka lang nangaling, wala ka nang pupuntahan.”
In addition, institutions should also open their doors to young students and allow them free use of their facilities and laboratories.
“Young science students have so many great ideas. They just don’t have the materials and the equipment for testing and experimenting,” points out Jayson. Trina, who will take up Chemical Enginnering this year in DLSU, agrees to this, saying that Filipinos are actually quite commendable since they can do so much with so little. ‘Kahit kaunti lang ang resources, kayang kayang gawing isang malaking bagay. This proves that we can be… we are more than what other people say we are.”
According to Intel officer Arnel Avelina, the improvement of science programs or any educational programs for that matter will largely depend on the support of the different sectors, the government, the industry and the academe. “If only these sectors would collaborate and be partners in developing Science and Technology in the Philippines, there is no doubt that we would be successful.”
Commitment to Service
They are no more than sixteen or seventeen years old, still wobbling their way in this complicated world, but there is nothing juvenile about their project ideas or their commitment to improving their respective communities and helping their country rise from the ashes of disintegration. They have, in fact, exhibited more enthusiasm, dedication and drive to improve the lives of the Filipino people than perhaps some of the prominent leaders in the country.
“All of our projects are focused on the problems of the Philippines because we want to make sure that whatever we discover or create would eventually help the country,” says ISEF team category winner Jayson, who will start his college life in De La Salle University this June.
Their winning project Lumos that explored the effectiveness of an endemic water-borne bacteria, Vibro Fischeri, as a water waste indicator can actually provide the government and other environmental organizations with a simple and inexpensive tool to detect water pollution.
Environmental care may have also been utmost in the minds of the Manila Science High School team as they painstakingly researched on the development of an electrode from green mussels that is capable of detecting the presence of lead in bodies of water. According to the team, they felt that a project like this addresses major concerns in the country. They however stressed that their project is not only tied down to just one application. “Though we showed it to have an environmental application, with further studies, it could also be used in the areas of medicine and health,” discloses Anne, who dreams of becoming a cardiologist.
For these students, serving the country is not only something that they need to do but also something that they want to do as repayment for all the things that the state has provided for them and as an expression of their love for their country.
“I have been a state scholar from high school to college. I think that it is my duty to give all that back in the form of service. Gustong kong paunlarin ang Pilipinas in any way that I can,” pronounces Anna Kristina, something that Mark agrees on, saying that it would be his pleasure to give his time to the country.
A simple act of faith
Never to be underestimated, the youth has a lot to offer if only they are given the opportunity to voice out their ideas and their thoughts. Sometimes, all it takes is something as simple as faith to change a person’s life and save him from leading a fruitless existence.
Indiana Science Fair Director Kathryn Hedges shared the story of one memorable science fair participant, who used to eke out a living selling used cars. He joined the fair and won. The student is now meeting with engineers and is talking about next year’s projects when before the fair, he was sure that he was going to drop out. It is indeed marvelous that one week of joining the fair taught him more lessons in life than that many years he spent in school.
The Intel ISEF competition, more than anything else, provides the youth an avenue to showcase their talents and to explore unknown frontiers.
“The science fair is making great difference in the lives of these students and in the community, in which they live. These communities are beginning to recognize that their children are capable of doing more. They are being given the chance to see beyond where they are now and into the future.”
No prize, no gift could surpass the value that a simple act of faith has, be it a pat on the shoulder or a word of encouragement. Placing one’s trust in the youth’s abilities and in believing that they can succeed regardless of their age, their station in life, or their nationality is more than enough to inspire them to become more than they could possibly be.
The hands that would write the future of the nation belong to the youth. And though their contributions might seem insignificant, their voices could become a force to be reckoned with… all they need is faith.
Inspiring Teacher Awards: Unmasking Today’s Silent Heroes
They may not have shed blood for the country but their perspiration quenched the thirst of the very people who have fought for the freedom of the country and those who are continuing to do so. They may not be beatified for the miracles that they perform everyday, but in the eyes of the children, whose lives they have changed for the better, they are earth angels.
Nothing could probably be nobler than the profession that lives and breathes to enrich the minds and souls of people. And if there is anyone who so richly deserves to be called hero, it is these teachers, who slaved the whole day, dedicating their whole lives in building a future not only for the children, not only for the community but for the whole country.
Cognizant of the significant role that teachers play in our society, MMPI’s Me Magazine launched the “Inspiring Teachers Awards.” “These people are the unsung heroes of the country. They have done so much and yet, they are the least recognized and the least affirmed. I think that it’s about time that their efforts are rewarded,” says its editor-in-chief Cathy Babao-Guballa.
Of the countless number of letters that were sent, the editorial team chose five teachers that have not only taught the basics of their subject matter but also the basics in life. Some of them were nominated by their students while others were nominated by their co-worker and even their superior.
DISCOVERING THE POTENTIALS WITHIN
“There are no dumb students. All children have their own intelligences. The task of the teacher is to discover these potentials and develop them,”
Grade five student Rochelle Sy-Ramos may be young but her age has not blinded her from the qualities that make her teacher, Marilyn Laureno, “the greatest teacher she ever had.” In the words of a child, she wrote, “Mrs. Laureno is a god-loving, kind, industrious and patient teacher. She is a role model for me and someday, I want to be like her.”
Going beyond the lessons in the textbooks, Marilyn teaches her students to appreciate and nurture their talents and special abilities. A subscriber of the theory, multiple intelligences, she frequently reminds her students that they have their own “smart,” be it word smart, body smart, picture smart, number smart, or people smart and that they should not despair if they can’t do what others can do.
Though the subject may not be part of the public elementary school curriculum, she feels that there are a lot more things that she could share with her young students. For being an effective teacher, for her, does not necessarily mean having students with the highest grades. Apart from their academics, they must also be able to apply the things that she has taught them in solving problems in their everyday lives.
Her innovative approach and willingness to go the extra-mile has earned her the respect and admiration of her peers and superiors. “She is such a dedicated teacher. All her students really learn from her because she makes sure that no one is left behind in their lessons,” Star Elementary School Principal Ernesto Mirabal.
And for all her efforts, all she wants as her reward is the knowledge that her students have learned from her. “Just hearing them say that they got it, that they understood the lesson, is more than enough for me to live by,” she reveals.
TURNING ROCKS INTO PRECIOUS STONES
“In essence, teachers are like gem cutters, they see through our rough façade and patiently bring out our vast potentials, turning rocks into precious gems.”
On the surface, Ma. Cristina Pargas Bawagan epitomizes the teacher stereotype, eye-glasses, serious demeanor, looks that could kill if you haven’t done your readings and assignments and yet… upon a close look, she is but a person who have chosen to dedicate her life in teaching students… and learning from them too.
“What really amazed me is her willingness to accept criticisms and change herself for the better. When she found out that some of her students did not like her teaching style, she asked her students to list down their complaints on a piece of paper. She then read each one, considered their observations and changed herself accordingly. I found it really inspiring for she is woman enough to accept our criticisms,” relates third year student Kirsten Anne Lopez of Philippine Science High School.
Ma’am Buwagan or just plain Tina, as she wants to be called, divulges that the greatest reward that teaching has ever given her is the realization that she was able to make a dent in her student’s life, not only academically but also psychologically and emotionally. There is, according to her, a feeling of fulfillment and joy in seeing them grow before your eyes, developing self-confidence and building dreams and hopes for the future.
“Most students do not really remember the subject that you teach. What they would remember are the times that you have encouraged them to be more than they thought they could be,” she discloses.
A LIGHT THAT SHINES BRIGHTER
Storms, floods are no match to the iron-clad dedication of Filipino teacher Araceli Cruz to her students in Malabon National High School. Dawn would find her already in her classroom, preparing for her lecture. She would painstakingly pore over her presentation, her visual aids, checking over the minutest details.
This determination and will to do her best was the one that has delivered her from the clutches of ignorance. Unlike those who had the luxury of studying in the best schools, she worked hard to finance her studies. After finishing elementary, she stopped for a while to help her parents raise money. She eventually went back to school, working in the school canteen part-time. It was only after so many years that she finally realized her dream to become a teacher.
Araceli believes that poverty should not stop people from dreaming, from believing that they can make something of themselves. Through hard work and patience, they too, can achieve something that they never thought they could do.
A SECOND MOTHER
There is more to school than textbook lessons and classroom lectures. This was what Gianello Cero discovered through his chemistry teacher Laura de Guzman in La Salle Greenhills.
“More than a teacher, she has become a friend and a mother. It might be so clichéd but she has become that. We really learned a lot from her and not just on chemical formulas,” says Gelo. That one time that they have accompanied their teacher to one of her weekly volunteer activities has turned into two and then three until they realized that they were hooked. “Not everything can be learned from the classroom. Sometimes, there are even more lessons that you can learn from these volunteer work, from then people that you encounter than in class. Not only do you learn, but you are also able to help them, share a part of yourself with them. I guess that is one of the things that I like about her. Being a student, for her, is not only brainwork, one should also go out and experience what the real world is all about,” he continues.
According to de Guzman, a teacher’s role in a child’s life is crucial because teachers are one of the primary influences in their formative years, where they develop their character and their puberty stage, where they develop their identity. “Teachers are really second mothers especially to the students who do not enjoy an open relationship with their parents or those who have parents that are always absent,” she maintains.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
To be a good teacher is not that difficult if one truly loves the profession and is willing to devote his or her entire self to the betterment of others. Marilou Cancio Goloya is one teacher who has committed her life to helping visually-impaired pupils in Sta Ana Elementary School. And though it may be twice as difficult as handling perhaps a normal class, the rewards are immeasurable. “It is a challenge to teach the handicapped. It is hard… yes but what joy you would feel to see them starting to progress when before they cannot do anything on their own,” she shares.
“For her to handle eight blind pupils is actually more than what is required of her as that is more than the prescribed number per class. Still, with her dedication and her natural love for her pupils, she is able to manage the class effectively,” states DepEd-NCR Education Supervisor Dr. Elvira Rocal.
A lady of innovations and great thirst for knowledge, she utilizes different teaching styles and attends seminars to learn more. Believing that education should be a continuous process, she sees to it that she upgrades her competencies in teaching the blind every time she finds an opportunity.
“One should not rest on one’s laurels. Education does not stop the minute you walk out of the classroom. Learn from everything that you see, from everything that you encounter. That is the only way for you to develop as a person,” she advises.
Having no medals of valor or sculpted images inside the church does not make them any less of a hero, any less of a saint than those who line up the pages of history books or the insides of the places of worships.
Each word of encouragement, each pat in the back may seem small but to the students, whose lives they have touched, its impact is immeasurable.
SSEAYP: A Journey in Perpetuity
It was the kind of stuff dreams are made of.
It is not everyday that one could travel to a foreign land and see its landmarks in the flesh without having your lifetime savings evaporate into thin air. But more than 300 youths from all over Asia did just that and so much more…
Philippine Delegation Youth Leader Victor Immanuel Cuarto could not have said it better, “This is one of the best experiences that a member of the youth sector could be a part of.” Continuing the 30-year-old tradition, the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) carried these youth delegates in style for a 53 heaven-filled-day journey in five Asian countries. Aboard the Nippon Maru, participants toured all across the Asian region and docked in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, and of course, the sponsor country Japan, where they would attend the Asian Youth Meeting in Tokyo. Some were also able to visit Myanmar, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia and Laos by air.
Bridging the Gap
More than just a pleasure trip, the program incorporates cultural presentations prepared by the delegates themselves, discussions on various social and cultural topics, and two-day home stays with local families that would help each of them bridge the cultural and geographical distance that divides them.
“This program has been successful in fostering camaraderie among future leaders of Southeast Asia and Japan,” says National Youth Commission and the SSEAYP National Organizing Committee Chairperson Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino.
Conceptualized by the Japanese government in 1974, this cultural exchange program seeks to broaden their perspective in various international issues as well as cultivate the spirit of international cooperation by providing them the opportunity to discover other cultures not only through their eyes but also through their hearts.
Cliché as it is, the phrase “experience is the best teacher” fits this to a T. Culture, according to National Leader Venus Gualdaquever, is “so much more and at times so much different from the way you perceived it in books and in television.” Actual interaction is needed. Virtual reality experiences through chat and MSN would never suffice. “This trip has given me a new understanding on the ways of life of other countries,” comments Japanese delegate Daisuke Yamamoto. Victor is in complete agreement. “Here is a group of people with a completely different take on things. They are thinking thoughts that are not akin to our thoughts. Knowing them has expanded my horizons and changed my thinking.”
Proud to be Pinoy
Fresh from their trip in Bangkok, the delegates proceeded to the Pearl of the Orient- the Philippines and for the pinoys, it was like finally reaching the Garden of Eden. “When you’re in the Philippines, you tend to take everything for granted but try living in another country for a few weeks, you’ll learn to appreciate and love our country,” reveals Victor. They even had goose bumps when they heard the national anthem for the first time since their departure. “Whatever our faults are as a country, we will always be Filipinos,” he impassionedly shares.
Having built quite a reputation for great sights and sounds, the Philippine-sponsored tour is one of the much-awaited ports of call. After docking, foreign delegates strutted their stuff onstage through musical presentations. “Because the Philippines has been known to give great performances, delegates have really put so much into their presentations here,” Commissioner Aves divulges. In a surprisingly subdued performance, the Philippine delegation did a song number with none of the usual pakulos. “They rendered such an explosive performance the night before that they opted to do a simple activity for this [welcome ceremonies],” she adds. Still, with their usual creative and artistic flair, the Filipinos managed to bring the house down with the “SSEAYP Family Song” that a Filipino delegate in 1994 composed. By the time they are halfway through the song, some of the delegates are already humming or swaying in time with the music. This is actually old news for whether one believes it or not, some of the delegates even know how to hum the song “Ewan” by the APO Hiking Society. “They could not understand a word of it obviously but they managed to feel the essence of the song,” relates Victor. According to him, some delegates even cried when they sang some of the really heart-wrenching Filipino songs. “Filipinos are really great performers. We have the talent and the charisma to hold our audience transfixed. No wonder we are such a hit as entertainers,” Commissioner Aves joked, her eyes twinkling in merriment.
Seriously though, Filipinos are almost always the “congeniality awardees” in the bunch, probably because of our personalities. “Filipinos are naturally friendly. Whoever you are, there is instant rapport,” observes Victor. His roommate, Vietnamese Huynh Van Son whole-heartedly agrees. In broken English he conveyed, “I have very good impression pf Filipinos because of him. He is my first Filipino friend.”
But aside from the crazy quirks in our personalities that foreigners love so much, there is also that ability to speak good English, which for some is the greatest challenge. “Conquering the language barrier is probably the most difficult thing that I had to do. Though I am fairly good in English having stayed in Canada for a month, I still have a lot to learn,” tells Daisuke. According to Victor, having an edge in language, Filipinos assume the role of facilitators in group discussions.
Philippines’ Best
Because of time constraints, delegates were grouped into 11 solidarity groups (SGs), where each would visit one institution. Among the government institutions they visited were the Senate of the Philippines, Supreme Court and the House of the Representatives, where they met up with luminaries such as Senator Francis Pangilinan and Congressman Conrado Estrella. They also had a photo session with Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. and the 15 other justices. Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines-Diliman, where they had campus tours and interaction with local youths, were also part of their itinerary. In media corporations ABS-CBN and GMA Network, the delegates were given a glimpse of how TV shows are produced and aired. Filipino visual and musical arts were introduced to some of them through their trip to the Ayala Museum and the Center for Pop Music. Our country’s colorful past was relived once again through their visit to the historic Intramuros, particularly Fort Santiago and Casa Manila. The visit to the Reception and Study Center for Children and Golden Acres, where they interacted with neglected children and old people, served as an eye-opener for most of the delegates. In fact, most of them cried when they saw the abandoned children.
Becoming Part of the Family
Perhaps the soul of the whole program is the home-stays where at least two delegates of the same gender will get to experience how local families live. Sometimes, as much as eight PYs will stay with one family, learning what they do, living as they live.
“This is really one of the best parts of the program. It’s really humbling to know that they have prepared a lot for us not only in the material aspects but also the emotional ones,” expresses Victor. Recounting her experience, Japanese delegate and Human Resources Management student Chalo Sugano reveals, “It really amazes me how they could be so familiar to us. They let us into their homes and treated us like their own children. I am really grateful for all the love and care that they have given me.” Most delegates grow really attach to their foster families. Come departure time, there are a lot of tears shed. “It’s always an emotional parting because it’s like saying goodbye to your second family,” continues he. Commissioner Aves attests to this. “You would really see them crying because they had come to love their families even at a short span of time.” Some even go back to the country for a visit while others receive wedding and birthday invitations as if they are really part of the family.
Heart of the Journey
Beyond the laughter and the tears, the scenic spots and the cultural presentations is the challenge to rise up above prejudices and biases, broaden our perspective on humanity and rediscover our love for our country. “When the youth is given the chance to do something for the country, they will do it. We just have to plant the seeds of nationalism and they will rise above their individual ambitions and promote the national goal,” Bam Aquino stresses. And as the SSEAYP journey draws to a close with its last port of call, Japan, he hopes that they will take back with them the important lessons that they have learned to their countries and may they use it to be better leaders not only of tomorrow but also of today.
And never should they forget that though SSEAYP has ended, their journey of self-discovery would never end.
The journey has barely begun.
SSEAYP 2004: Odyssey of Soulseeing
The world changes as each dons a different perspective.
And though we exist amongst these inherent and bred differences, it is not an impossibility to live in unity, using the very beliefs and traditions that keep us apart.
In an effort to blur the lines that have divided the world in recent times, the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) once again sets sail on the shores of the ASEAN region to cultivate the spirit of international cooperation, understanding and friendship.
“Through the program, the Japanese government aims to broaden their international perspective and awareness, learning lessons that they can share with others when they return to their respective countries. Each of the delegates are future leaders and in their hands lie the future of the next generation,” says Administrator Masakazu Nakada, director for International Affairs in the Japanese Cabinet Office.
Established by the Japanese government in 1974 to promote and strengthen solidarity among youth leaders, the annual cultural exchange program has helped instill in the youth a love for their culture and an appreciation and understanding of other people’s culture, reveling in their uniqueness and at the same time celebrating others’ individuality as well.
Though they come from different backgrounds, the delegates, according to Nakada, are able to interact well with others, sharing their views of the situations in the world from the vantage point of their own experiences.
A JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY
This year, carefully selected youth leaders from Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia and Myanmar have embarked on a month-long journey to six different ports of call, Manila, Ho Chi Minh, Bangkok, Jakarta, Singapore and Yokohama, seeing different sites, immersing in different culture, forming bonds and weaving memories that will last them a lifetime.
For participating youth Timi Gomez, the experience is more than just a mine of memories, it is also a journey through the self, through one’s heritage and ultimately one’s future.
“Though I have had some experience living with farmers in Benguet, I have always been a city girl. It was therefore quite an experience for me to live in a farm, a rural prefecture called Takushima when we visited Japan. I could not help but compare the way the Japanese live with the way we live. One morning I looked outside and everything looked exactly like Benguet except that it is wealthier, more abundant, more progressive. I really started to cry because it was so much like our country without the struggle, the poverty,” the De La Salle University Applied Economics student confesses.
Unlike Timi, who was very interested in international relations even before she joined, Cinderella Wahab, a third year Political Science student from Saint Columban College in Pagadian City never really thought that she would learn so much and change so much.
“It was initially just a pleasure trip for me. It was only when we reached Japan and I had the chance to see how they live and feel for its people that I realized that it was much more than that,” she reveals.
There is in SSEAYP, she quickly learned, much more than meets the “sightseeing” eye. Beyond the trips around town, the shopping for souvenirs and the pleasure of vacation, the program allows each delegate not only to sightsee but also soulsee, discovering not just those that their eyes could envision but also those that only the soul could understand.
LANGUAGE SPOKEN BY THE HEART
Communication, according to most of the delegates is probably the hardest part in the whole experience.
As Cinderella relates, they would often use improvised sign language and even drawing just to understand each other.
“Some of the participants could not really speak straight English and as some of us only know the language of our country and that, we would often resort to sign languages… and yet miracle of miracles, we seem to understand each other in spite of that.”
Spending a month with people you cannot talk with in the language that you are familiar with can indeed be mighty frustrating especially using signs would not suffice. And yet… despite the language barrier and the cultural differences that divide each race, the delegates have quickly formed friendships, establishing a bond that would surpass traditions and beliefs. The experience made them realize that though words could not connect them, they could still understand each other in the language spoken only by the heart.
REDISCOVERING ONE’S HERITAGE
Though coming from different backgrounds, each of the delegates are brothers and sisters, bound mayhap not by blood but of far more importance, by the love for their countries and for the world as a whole.
Perhaps the best thing that SSEAYP has given them is the opportunity to discover the beauty in their heritage and the honor in their ancestry.
Filipinos has always been known for their artistry. In every cultural presentation, their production is much anticipated. In fact, even Nakada comments on how exceptionally good Filipinos are in singing, quipping “Dahil Sa Iyo” when asked what his favorite Tagalog song is.
“I grew a lot in spirit during this trip. You’ll soon realize that no matter where you are, no matter how beautiful the country you have visited, you will always be a Filipino in your heart,” confides Francis Ron de Guzman, a sophomore law student in University of the Philippines-Diliman.
Though the Philippines may not be able to compete in terms of technology and may even need to change a lot of its attitudes, no race, according to Francis, can show more warmth than the Filipinos. National Youth Commission and SSEAYP National Organizing Committee Chairperson for the Philippines Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino agrees, saying,
“In addition to the sceneries and the wonderful history, the best thing about the country is the people.”
During the SSEAYP country visit, he enjoins each delegate to see the beauty of the country through the heart of its people.
One may want to change a lot of things, institute reforms and revolutionize the way things are done and thought of but no matter how dire the circumstances may be, how much change is needed, one would never trade off one’s identity, the heritage that defines who he is and his part in this world.
Penning the Way to a New World
While food may tame a growling stomach, it is not enough to ease the craving of the soul to create and to espouse what the lips would not dare utter. To weave words into a tapestry worth hanging on the walls of the consciousness is to a writer even more vital than perhaps the very thread of life that he depends on.
A FEAST OF CREATIVITY
Aspiring writers fed their creative hunger in an annual feast that served the best literary talents that the University of Santo Tomas has to offer. “The university is indeed a vast ocean inhabited by literary finds. And it takes a good fisherman to make the possibility of a great harvest,” discloses Joanne Fajardo, editor in chief of the Varsitarian and chairperson of the event. Close to a hundred entries piled up the big brown box that the organizer, UST Varsitarian has prepared for the event. Poetists, essayists and fictionists in English and Filipino clearly stared at Failure in the face and swallowed their fear to join the 19th Gawad Ustetika, the most prestigious literary competition in UST soil. “The bulk of the entries did not come until the last two days before our announced deadline. We could not hide the stupid, relieved grins on our face, saying… At long last, here they are,” reveals Varsitarian’s English literary editor and the event’s external affairs chair Natasha Gamalinda. This behavior is not so illogical considering the amount of courage it takes to even contemplate joining let alone placing a part of yourself into an envelope and risk being vulnerable in the eyes of some of the greatest artists in the country. This was attested by Ronald Jeffrey Lim, who won second prize for his short story “Night Out.” “I never intended to join the contest because I was sure I’d never win. It was my friends who encouraged me and I am now glad that I took that chance,” he mentions with a smile, clearly happy to have passed the eagle eyes of the judges, which resembled the list of Who’s Who of the Philippine literary scene. UST Center for Creative Writing and Studies (CCWS) director Ophelia Alcantara-Dimalanta served as the chairperson for Poetry with Neil Garcia and Nerisa del Carmen-Guevara as judges. Filipino poetists passed the strict standards of Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA) president Rebecca Añonuevo, Allan Popa and Ignatian Literary Arts and Practice (Iglap) rector Benilda Santos, who served as chair. Jose Wendell Capili and Rina Jimenez-David along with chairperson Bienvenido Lumbera formed the panel of judges for the Essay category while Reynaldo Candido Jr., Michael Coroza and UP Institute of Creative Writing head Vim Nadera (chair) took on the Sanaysay category. Lourd Ernest de Veyra, Ramil Gulle and UP Press director Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo (chair) looked into the Fiction entries while Jose Victor Torres, Aurora Yumul, and CCWS Senior Associate Cirilo Bautista (chair) took care of the Katha entries.
FUTURE OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
Following the esteemed footstep of last year’s winner Bienvenido Lumbera, this year’s Parangal Hagbong went to Sr. Ma. Delia Coronel who has published books on native Filipino folklore. Most notable of her works is the “Legends and Stories of the Philippines,” which has undergone several editions and printings. She also translated the ancient Maranao epic “Darangen,” which “antedated the coming of the Muslims” to English verse. On its 7th year, the award pays tribute to Thomasian writers who have made significant contributions to Philippine Literature.
Unsurprisingly, students from the Faculty of Arts and Letters dominated the list of awardees. Joseph de Luna Saguid, an AB Communication student, was chosen by Fr. Rector Tamerlane Lana, O.P. to receive this year’s Rector’s Literary award for his poetry collection, “Pangitain ng mga Isda sa Madaling Araw.” The Rector’s Award is given to one of the first prize winners who best reflects the Christian values upheld by the university. College of Commerce and Accountancy’s Kim Louie Favis and AB Journalism’s Denirose Afinidad settled for second and third place respectively for Tula. AB Journalism student Glenn Vincent Atanacio was adjudged Thomasian Poet of the Year for his poetry collection, “Dream Songs from my Country of Dreams.” AB Philosophy student Mervin Espina settled for second with “Adobo Incident” while AB Literature student Ma. Ailil Alvarez got the third with “Fluctuating Colors.” Named Thomasian Essayist of the Year, Rosita Alyssa Baua of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery won the nod of the judges for her essay, “The Gift.” CCA student Jaime Adriano’s “A Little Appraisal” and Ma. Lourdes Parawan’s “Rabid Tales” bagged the second and third prizes respectively. There were no first and third prizes for the Katha category but Anna Krisna Bautista’s “Kalderong Walang Laman,” won second prize. Kristel Anne Satumbaga and Joseph Espina were given honorable mentions. Fiction also saw no first and third prizes. Ronald Jeffrey Lim was victor for his short story “Night Out” while Ma. Melissa Frieda Padero’s “Bring Me Flowers” was given honorable mention. The sanaysay category only had one special citation, Allan Jason Tiu of the Faculty of Phramacy for his essay, “Ang Katotohanan ng Lipunan.”
METAMORPHOSIS OF A WRITER
Writing such a masterpiece may take just a week or two but developing the heart and the instinct for writing takes years… years of poring over grammar rules and spelling books, of perfecting an internal rhythm that only a master could detect, of developing a style that is a collage of all the literary influences that have breathed life to your pen. “I’ve been writing since I was in high school. Believe it or not, it was April O’Neill of the show Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that inspired me to be a journalist,” Ronald sheepishly says. Thomasian Poet of the Year Glenn Vincent Atanacio also started young. “I have been dabbling with poetry for so long now but it was only in high school that I started to get seriously into it.”
Beyond the rules of the language, the rhythm of each syllable, the meter of each poetic line is the heart of every literary masterpiece— the message. Writing does not only involve the melding of paper and ink, it is the birth of an internal being that has suddenly been given a voice unlike any other voice in the past, in the present and in the future. Ideologies are created. Reforms are called for. Radical notions are set forth. While some focuses on the intricacies of love as an emotion, others try to define social realities through their eyes. Glenn, with his poetry collection “Dream Songs from my Country of Dreams” centered on the events that has plagued the world in recent months. “It’s political in a way. One of the poems in the collection alluded to war while others talked about the various happenings in the country,” he explains. Ronald, discussed the delicate subject of bisexuality in his short story, “Night Out,” which centered on a girl who went out on a date with a bisexual and lost her virginity to him. “I have been keeping that idea inside my head since last year but the actual writing took about a week or two,” shares Ronald, a fourth year student of Journalism. The Annual Gawad Ustetika, not only serves to satiate the hunger of those already starving for creative expression but also whet the appetite of those who have fasted for so long.
And what would entice one to write? Certainly not the expectation of amassing bags of gold for not even timber could be found languishing among the piles of papers that one has kept in hiding. It would certainly not be the spotlight that highlights one’s name in books, for oftentimes only Dickinson would know who Dickinson is and if one has the courage to come out, it would be Anonymous who would get all the accolades. It is not even the possibility of sharing one’s thoughts for most times only the paper lies witness to the creation of what should have been the greatest literary work ever written. Such is the life of one who chooses to wield the pen instead of perhaps a stethoscope, a gavel or even the microphone… never to conquer a nation, never to conquer the world… only paper. And yet, with his words, with his ideologies lie the light that would keep the fires of hope burning and with each paper that he has painstakingly fashioned from the depths of his soul, he would build a world greater than this ever was.
Out Came Their Dancing Shoes
Their dancing shoes certainly didn’t need perking up.
Firing up the stage with their inventive and peppy dance steps, students from all over the Philippines pushed their toes (not to mention arms, legs, body parts) to their limits as they revved up the SM Megatrade Hall for the Green Cross Cologne Funky Fragrance Dance Competition.
The Road to the Finals
Open to all students in private schools, the competition attracted a multitude of talented dance groups all over the Philippines. Dance, being the universal language among young people, was the focal point of the whole endeavor. “We really zeroed in on dance because we want to use it as a medium for students to come together and celebrate with us,” notes Green Cross Cologne product manager Rusty Rastrullo.
To ensure that only the best would stand on stage come grand finals, Green Cross toured the country and scoured every town in search of people who embody the youthfulness, hipness and coolness that Green Cross Cologne projects. “Close to 600 teams participated in the 52 provincial contests that we have done,” divulges Rastrullo. And it was not an easy journey for any team brave enough to accept the challenge. Aside from the provincial eliminations that they have to survive through, they also have to face each other in the regionals. And choosing just one among the 80 bunch of gifted individuals that reached the regionals is enough to send the judges into moments of indecision. “There were a lot of great teams, we frequently had ties. It was really hard to decide,” says Rastrullo. But their obsession to find the best of the best was not wasted. True enough, each of the teams that graced the stage for the grand finals was deserving of the crown. Each performance was craftily thought of. Each step was choreographed to perfection. But no matter how good their performance are there can only be one true champion.
The Competition Heats Up
It was a tough day for the jurors as they looked for choreography, creativity and freshness. The junior round kicked off with an electrifying dance from Zamora Memorial College Dance Company. Unmindful of crashing into each other, the Albay natives stunned the audience by dancing in blindfolds. Just two weeks of practice and a completely new routine from their original one never cramped the style of Colegio de San Agustin Bacolod’s Dance Art as they danced to the hilt with faux speakers as props. “We were inspired by Monica’s video. Then, we incorporated some of our own ideas,” says their choreographer Rodney Ascalon. Colorful costumes and props set the Sariaya Quezon’s Sirca Kayumanngi apart, allowing them to edge other groups to claim third place and the P50,000 pot money. From their white and gold sheer outfits, which also won for them Best in Costume, down to their richly colored fans, this group spelled perfection. “All the members of Circa Kayumaggi worked together for this. We made our own costumes and props. It was our labor of love,” one circa member discloses in ragged breaths, clearly exhausted but happy with their performance. D’ Rush Funk from Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology tried a different tact– this time zeroing in on our funny bones. The brief comedy act, which involved one of the dancers literally bathing himself with a whole bottle of cologne and traipsing on the stage with his arms raised while the song “Bombastic” blared, won many hearts. The judges certainly did not remain indifferent to all those creative energies and comedic efforts as they were given a second place finish that included a P100,000 cash prize and a trophy. Completely relying on their legendary dance skills and flexibility, Miriam College surpassed all odds, including the competition, to conquer the high school division. With their white and black ensemble accentuated by a cross in front, these damsels from Sayawatha wowed the audience with their flexibility and acrobatic skills. “We really prepared hard for this. Not all of us knew how to do cartwheels and some of the other stuff in our routine but we learned like everyone else because we needed to,” reveals a Sayawatha member. Their choreography, according to their coach Ryan Silva, gave them the edge. “There is distinction from other schools. The routine was hard but the girls were able to execute it well.”
The Heat Continues
If the junior division heated up the air with their stunts and gimmicks, the college division fairly scorched up the entire hall. The Batangas State University Dance Company lived up to their passionate Batangueño form with their stage performance. With uncanny stage flair, the group danced their way, masks and all to a third place finish. St. Paul University’s Prima Galaw looked picture perfect in their white costumes and silver gloves. With a unique routine that gave the other teams a run for their money, this dusky group from IloIlo showed the form and talent that carried them all the way to the finals… and would carry them to second place victory. No team, however, could compare to the powerhouse performance of UP-Diliman Street Dance Club, who won the top prize. The group struck the audience senseless with their difficult formations and acrobatic dances. With a routine largely different from the one they used in the regionals, the club displayed their flexibility and gymnastic skills to the fullest with pyramid-like tableaus and limb breaking steps. “We really made a lot of changes from the original routine. We knew that competition will be a lot stiffer here in the grand finals, we want to have a little edge,” utters JM de Jesus, one of the member of the Street Dance Club. Though they may not have reached the circle of three, IloIlo’s University of San Agustin Dance Club certainly carried through a performance worth remembering. Pulling up a surprise number with their “Mickey” routine, the guys, dressed in cheerleading outfits, gamely displayed their legs for all the world to see while they jumped up and down in jubilation, swinging their pompoms up in the air.
A Marriage of Different Styles
A fusion of every dance imaginable, from ballet to hip-hop, street dance to ballroom, folk dance to modern jazz, the students proved once more the artistry and grace of the Filipinos. Reminiscent of the movie, “Bring It On,” minus the pompoms and short skirts, their four-minute routines featured lifts, cartwheels and even pyramids to the astonishment and delight of the audience. “I never expected to see these things,” says one of the spectators who braved the long lines and the cramped space of the Megatrade Hall.
More than just your run of the mill dance competition, the stage ushered in an entirely new concept—dance routines with touches of slapstick comedy, drama and athleticism. Through the use of props and other special effects, the students were able to infuse freshness and originality into what supposed to be ‘yet-another-dance-competition.’ It might seem no less of a hardship to bring in non-dance elements into their performance, but weaving these short “skits” to suit their entire routine is certainly a challenge– a challenge met by the 21 young hopefuls. And though only six managed to hold the trophies in their hands, they certainly did not go home empty-handed. The experience and the memory are enough to last a lifetime.
