Cebu’s 6th ‘Halad sa Kabataan’ showcases musical talents
By Minerva BC. Newman
CEBU, Oct 21 (PIA) -- Children ages 8 to 15 from various public elementary and secondary schools in Cebu province recently showcased their musical talents in strumming guitar, singing, and rondalla in a showdown during this year’s sixth "Halad sa Kabataan (Gift to the Children)" on October 13 at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), Mandaue City.
Cebu first district provincial board member Julian Daan in his opening remarks said, this is a yearly event mounted by the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children (PCWC) to highlight the Cebuano children’s talents in guitar duet, vocal solo and rondalla in observance of October as children’s month.
Daan added the competition also showcases the musical genius of the Cebuano composers as all pieces for the contest categories are Cebuano songs and compositions.
As the Halad Sa Kabataan opened, some 50-60 children in colorful costumes adorned the stage for the introduction piece that the three rondalla groups played that paved the way for the guitar duet and vocal solo competitions.
For the guitar duet category 12 pairs strummed their way to get the championship, the prize money of P10,000, P8,000 and P6,000 for the first, second, and third winners respectively. All winners were also given trophies and plaques.
The tandem of Rondoe Abonales and Rodger Cotillas from Mandaue City with their rendition of “Rosas Pandan” won the first prize while the pair of Ian Mark Belocura and Allan Barcoma from Barili got the second place.
The combined performance of Jason Herebias and Jose Jacob Milleza with their chosen piece “Sakayanon” won third prize. The non-winners were also given a consolation prize of P4,000 and a plaque.
For the vocal solo competition, there were also 12 contestants and they all sang Cebuano compositions. Both 12 pairs from the guitar duet and the 12 vocal solo contestants were the finalists from the elimination rounds by district held from August 30 to September 25.
Mariel Minglanilla from San Fernando town with here inspiring rendition of a Visayan song “Kami ang Kabataan” won the championship while Mariel Montellano from Tabogon with her song “Bunga” got the second prize and Rhett James Malazarte of Aloguinsan with his song “Sa Pangandoy Lang” won third.
Winners of the vocal solo contest got P5,000, 1st prize; P4,000 for second; and P3,000 for the third placer plus a trophy and plaque for each. The non-winners were given P2,000 each plus a plaque.
The biggest highlight of the Halad sa Kabataan was the rondalla where three groups, the Argao Rondalla, Sisters of Mary-Girls Town Rondalla, and Pooc National High School Rondalla battled it out in a showdown competition of pop, modern, and folk categories.
These groups were the top winners during the elimination rounds that were also conducted per district in August and September.
The Pooc National High School Rondalla from Talisay City grabbed the championship while the Sisters of Mary – Girls Town Rondalla also from Talisay City got the second prize and the Argao Rondalla of Argao won third place.
The champion got P30,000 while the second and third placers received P25,000 and P20,000 respectively plus a trophy and plaque for each winner.
For six years now, Cebu Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children has sustained the Halad sa Kabataan event as its way of supporting and promoting the talents of the Cebuano children. (mbcn/AYS-PIA-7/PCWC)