By: Luzviminda F. Dela Rosa, Head-Special Events Unit
For more than century now, we have religiously done our task to enrich the memory of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal who offered his life to safeguard the dignity of our country.
Rizal was a living testament of what our race was capable of doing – denouncing injustices in our society and offering non-violent means to attain peace , equality, and freedom for our people.
Rizal served as a role model for all generations, inspiring and motivating people to stand up for their rights, and to excel in their chosen fields of endeavor towards the advancement of our country’s interest.
Today, the whole nation led by the Order of the Knights of Rizal, the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, the Department of Education, League of Provinces of the Philippines, National Historical Institute, Commission on Higher Education, and other participating agencies and institutions conducted the First Rizal National Festival of Excellence anchored on the theme: “Affirm Capabilities. Seize Challenges. Celebrate Achievements.” with its thematic call to action “Kagalingan. Kabayanihyan. Kaya Namin ‘Yan!” in commemoration of the 110th Anniversary of the Martyrdom and the sublime talent and patriotism of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
Students of the whole archipelago (Luzon Visayas, and Mindanao) have participated in the three areas of competition: Music Theater and Rizal / History Quiz for high school students and Oratory for college students.
The objectives of the competition are:
1. Draw greater attention of the youth to Rizal as reference point of excellence and achievement;
2. Inspire the youth with the compelling contemporary relevance of Rizal, his life , humanity and love of country;
3. Affirm and invigorate the spirit and capacity of the youth to excel and become the best in the land;
4. Recognize and celebrate outstanding students in their achievements relating to history and culture through competitive performances;
5. Heighten the respect of the youth for Filipino heroic traditions and develop their ability to adopt to the values in those traditions; and
6. Develop a national community of youth achievers in the spirit of the country’s national hero and create an antidote to the present feeling of unease and indifference.
The three competitions were held in three levels: Regional Eliminations, Cluster Level Competitions, and the Grand National. Schedule of the competition are as follows:
Regional Competition (Rizal Quiz)
| DATES | REGION | VENUE |
| August 15, 2006 | VII | ECOTECH Center, Lahug, Cebu City |
| August 22, 2006 | VI | RELC – Duran St., Iloilo City |
| August 29, 2006 | VIII | RELC – Candahug, Palo, Leyte |
| September 13, 2006 | IV-Calabarzon | Calamba City, Laguna |
| September 19, 2006 | IV-Mimaropa | JJ Leido MNHS, Calapan City |
| September 22, 2006 | V | RELC – Rawis, Legaspi City |
| September 26, 2006 | XI | Eagle’s View Hotel, Tagum City |
| October 10, 2006 | XII | General Santos City |
| October 16, 2006 | IX | Division Conference Hall, Dapitan City |
| October 20, 2006 | X | RELC – Cagayan De Oro City |
| October 26, 2006 | Caraga | Regional Office Conference Hall, Butuan City |
| November 7, 2006 | CAR | Regional Office Conference Hall, Baguio City |
| November 10, 2006 | I | RELC – San Fernando City, La Union |
| November 14, 2006 | II | RELC – Tuguegarao City |
| November 17, 2006 | III | Mariano Ponce MHS, Baliuag Bulacan |
| November 20, 2006 | ARMM | ARMM Regional Office, Cotabato City |
| November 22, 2006 | NCR | Regional Office Conference Hall, Quezon City |
Cluster Competition (Music Theater)
| DATE | CLUSTER | VENUE |
| November 23, 2006 | VIS (R VI, VII, VIII) | RELC – Candahug, Palo, Leyte |
| November 28, 2006 | NL (R I, II, III, CAR) | Vigan City Culture and Trade Center |
| December 4, 2006 | SM (R XI, XII, ARMM) | SM Entertainment Plaza, Davao City |
| December 8, 2006 | NM (R IX, X, Caraga) | Don Pablo Lorenzo MHS, Zamboanga City |
| December 27, 2006 | SL (NCR, IV-A&B, V | Manila Science High Schoo |
The Grand Finals for the Rizal / History Quiz and the Oratorical Contest were held last December 28, 2006 at Bayview Park Hotel, Roxas Boulevard, Manila while the Music Theater Competition culminated at the GSIS Theater, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Pasay City on December 29, 2006. The competitions were emceed by Mr. Jyleazar F. Dela Rosa, a youth leader of San Sebastian College – Recolletos Manila and a former youth leader and speaker of Sigaw ng Bayan.
RIZAL / HISTORY QUIZ CONTEST Affirm and invigorate the spirit and capacity of the youth to excel and become the best in the land. This was the feeling generated by the 17 high school students from all over the country who tried to outdo each other in the battle of the brains.
The students who joined the competition were asked to answer questions on the life of Rizal (70%) and History and Culture (30%). The contest was divided in three categories: easy, average, and difficult. Especially difficult questions were prepared to break the tie among the students.
Students who were fortunate enough to join the December 28, 2006 Rizal/History Quiz Contest Grand Finals at Bayview Park Hotel were as follows:
| Name | School | Region (Division) |
| Lorraine Bugayong | Bacnotan NHS | I (La Union) |
| Johnadel Antipolo | Quezon NHS | II (Isabela) |
| Ian Basallo | Bonifacio Camacho NHS | III (Bataan) |
| Noel Omandap | Maabud NHS | IV-Calabarzon (Batangas) |
| Nomer Magallanes | Roxas NHS | IV-Mimaropa (Palawan) |
| Francis Lim | San Felipe NHS | V (Camarines Norte) |
| Madeline Miravalles | Hipona NHS | VI (Capiz) |
| Joshua Jola | Mandaue City Science HS | VII (Cebu) |
| Kristine Cabalona | Leyte NHS | VIII (Tacloban City) |
| Junry Onganiza | Sulangon NHS | IX (Dapitan City) |
| Allen Mallari | Labo NHS | X (Osamiz City) |
| Nelsein Ferrer | Samal NHS | XI (Is. Garden City of Samal) |
| Charlene Ingay | Alabel National Science HS | XII (Sarangani Province ) |
| Precy Ann Espares | Trenato NHS | Caraga (Agusan del Sur) |
| Omayah Maruhom | Pualas NHS | ARMM (Lanao del Sur) |
| Charlton Sean Gaerlan, II | Baguio City NHS | CAR (Baguio City) |
| Emerson Anit | Manila science HS | NCR (Manila) |
Dr. Regino P. Paular (Chair) of National Historical Institute, Ms. Flocerfida G. Faustino of STI, and Ms. Luzviminda F. Dela Rosa of the Department of Education composed the Board of Consultants.
Three outstanding students who dominated the contest were as follows:
Junry B. Organiza
Grand Champion of Excellence
School: Sulangon National High School
Region/Division: Region IX - Division of Dapitan City
Coach: Mr. Lindo O. Adasa, Jr.
Prize: P25, 000.00 + Certificate of Recognition + Books
Francis D. Lim II
First Runner-Up
School: San Felipe National High School
Region/Division: Region V - Division of Camarines Norte
Coach: Ms. Alicia I. Quinito
Prize: P15, 000.00 + Certificate of Recognition + Books
Emerson M. Anit – Second Runner-Up
School: Manila Science High School
Region/Division: NCR - Division of Manila
Coach: Mrs. Julieta U. Fajardo
Prize: P10, 000.00 + Certificate of Recognition + Books
MUSIC THEATER COMPETITION
The Music Theater Competition inspired the youth and the old alike with the participants drawing parallelism from Rizal’s life, humanity, and love of country to the present time.
The competition was participated in by five schools from Visayas Cluster, Northern Luzon Cluster, Northern Mindanao Cluster, Southern Mindanao Cluster, and Southern Luzon Cluster
Contestants for the competition submitted synopses of the play, and names of the cast and crew which was limited to 25 members only- including the director, actors, and crew. They were given 20 to 22 minutes each to present an original contemporary musical.
The Grand National Finals managed by the National Technical Working Committee designated the Board of Judges composed of Mr. Leopoldo Lopez of UP College of Music, Dr. Glessy Atienza of PETA and NCCA, and Dr. Amalia Rosales (Chair) of FAMAS/PUP where the criteria for judging in the selection of winners were based on Libretto (40%), Staging (30%), and Performance (30%).
The Winners are: Teatro Gingoog
Grand Champion of Excellence
Title of the Musical: Anak
Region / Division: Region X - Gingoog City
Northern Mindanao Cluster
School: Gingoog City Comprehensive National High School
Prize: P100, 000.00 + Certificates of Recognition + Books
Manila Science High School Chorale
First Runner-Up
Title of the Musical: Isang Rizal: Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas
Region / Division: NCR - Manila
Southern Luzon ClusterSchoo: Manila Science High School
Prize: P50, 000.00 + Certificates of Recognition + Books
Himig Kabataan Performing Arts of Digos City
Second Runner-Up
Title of the Musical: Kabataan Para sa Kabayanihan
Region / Division: Region XI - Digos City
Southern Mindanao Cluster
School: Digis City National High School
Prize: P20, 000.00 + Certificates of Recognition + Books
ORATORICAL CONTEST
The Grand Finals of the Oratorical Competition at the Bayview Park Hotel was participated in by five college students who impressed the judges by drawing their dreams and keen attention to Rizal as reference point of excellence and achievement in their young life.
The Board of Judges was composed of Director Betty Lou Peñera of the Philippine Information Agency (Chair ); Mr. Alex Raoul S. Villano, Assistant Secretary General of League of Provinces of the Philippines, and Mr. Christopher Grajo, Managing Director of Digital Information and DepED Consultant on Development of Schools Writer/Researcher.
The winners were chosen according to following criteria where they were given 10 minutes each to convey to the audience their message: Content (50%), Delivery (35%) and Persuasion (15%).
The first orator, Arcilla Vera Cruz of the University of Rizal System – Region IV-CALABARZON with oratorical piece titled Rizal’s Ideals: The Conglomeration of the Promised New Dawn gave emphasis on the death of Rizal as symbol of hope for the Filipinos.
For this hope to have meaning, the second orator, Virgil Patrick Delos Santos of AMA Computer University-NCR said that our youth should act more responsibly and not to be victims to the dregs of society and of self centered indulgences; they should focus more on nation building.
The third orator, Severo Blanco II of Region VIII believes that to experience and sustain genuine peace, prosperity, and freedom, our youth should uphold integrity, and honesty in their young life. According to him, we can still have a better nation if we will faithfully consider and value the content and writings of Rizal.
The fourth orator, Arthur James M. Fernandez of Southwestern University - Region VII says that we all have the power to make a difference - from the richest tycoon in the Beverly Hills to the poorest beggar in the alleys of Pasil. Our youth must translate problems to opportunities, acknowledge capabilities, and confront challenges head on.
The fifth and last orator, Czar Daryll S. Baylon of Western Visayas College of Science and Technology – Region VII with oratorical piece titled Dr. Jose Rizal: The Filipino People’s Inspiration for Excellence cannot overemphasize the great need for our youth to stand up for what is right and take the high moral grounds in eradicating graft and corruption and vengeful politics by advocating social reforms through peaceful means.
Winners of the Oratorical Contest are as follows:
Arthur James M. Fernande
Grand Champion of Excellence
School: Southwestern University
Region: Region VII
Piece: Affirm Capabilities. Seize Challenges. Celebrate Achievements.
Coach: Al Evangelio
Prize: P25, 000.00 + Certificate of Recognition + Books
Czar Daryll S. Baylon
First Runner Up
School: Western Visayas College of Science and Technology
Region: Region VI
Piece: Dr. Jose Rizal, Filipino People’s Inspiration for Excellence
Coach: Ms. Josefa Dalipe
Prize: P15, 000.00 + Certificate of Recognition + Books
Virgil Patrick D. Delos Santos
Second Runner Up
School: AMA Computer University
Region: National Capital Region
Piece: Affirm Capabilities. Seize Challenges. Celebrate Achievements.
Coach: Ms. Susan B. Valentin
Prize: P10, 000.00 + Certificate of Recognition + Books For more than a century has passed from the time our forefathers of our nation built the foundations of democracy we enjoy today. It is remarkable that the martyrdom of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, has, for more than a century, continued to be the symbol of patriotism to the elders and youth of the land. His life becomes a constant reminder to all of us to fulfill our duties to our country, and to lead in making better tomorrow for the generations to come.
The rough times call for unity once again among all of us Filipinos. Rizal’s message for love of country echoes a loud as during the Revolution of 1898. We must heed his call for patriotism, for only a nation can depend on its citizens can achieve its goals peace, prosperity and freedom.
Indeed, we must continue reaching to the four corners of the land so that more youth can learn and re-learn our rich history particularly the contributions of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. We can only chart a productive and meaningful course for the future if we know the value and memories of our past.
It is heartening to note that despite the limited budget and time, the organizers of the First Rizal National Festival of Excellence remarkably managed to make this event a success. They are as follows:
The Department of Education – is the body mandated to provide quality basic education that is equitably accessible to all and lays the foundation for life-long learning and service for the common good;
The Order of Knights of Rizal – OKOR was established on 30 December 1911 and was granted a legislative charter as a civic and patriotic organization on 14 June 1951 by Republic Act 646 to pay tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal, the National hero of the Philippines;
Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines – was formed primarily to serve as the proper forum where the Leagues can openly discuss and reach a consensus and general agreements on several national policies and issues affecting the Leagues and LGU’s;
The ULAP National Executive Board, inducted into Office by President Joseph E. Estrada last Oct. 10, 1998, is comprised of the Presidents of the twelve (12) Leagues of Local Governments and Local Officials. It now has an additional two (2) associate members. Other organized Leagues of Local officials can still join and become an associate member of ULAP
The League of Provinces of the Philippines – primarily aims to ventilate, articulate, and crystallize issues affecting provincial and metropolitan government administrations. It likewise serves to secure, through proper and legal means, solutions to problems confronting the locales.
LPP aims to collaborate with national and other local government agencies in attaining efficient and effective inter-governmental relations to provide development programs that will enrich and upgrade the capabilities of local government units;
Commission on Higher Education – is a governing body covering both public and private higher education institutions as well as degree-granting programs in all tertiary educational institutions in the Philippines. The CHED was established in May 18, 1994 through Republic Act 7722 or the Higher Education Act of 1994; and
All other participating institutions and organizations – e.g. Philippine Association of Teachers of History and Rizal (PATHRI), Vice-Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP), Public Administrators League of the Philippines (PALP), and Organizational Change Consultants Incorporated International (OCCI)
The Rizal National Festival of Excellence sets out a modest contribution to the continuing development of the social infrastructure of the country focused on the young. It had its run of limitations, but we, the organizers and the participants believed in the possible. Kudos to all of us! Mabuhay!
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