The Voice of GSCS in August

By Ram Rajni Lagutan 

          Every August, all schools in the Philippines are required to celebrate “Buwan ng Wika” in order to remind us of the importance of our language.

         The theme of the Buwan ng Wika this 2013 in the Good Shepherd Cathedral School (GSCS) was “Wika natin ang daang matuwid.” Students from Grade 1 to 4th year high school participated in this celebration. Several activities were held this month to make us remember the significance an beauty of our national language—Filipino.

        One of the activities held to commemorate this important month is the Sabayang Pagbigkas which was held last August 24,  2013 at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UAAP). Chosen students were required to memorize a Filipino poem and recite it with passion along  with impressive choreography. 25 students were chosen  to participate in this event. For the elementary department, there was the poem speech contest, Katutubong Awitin and Dulawit. The poem speech contest was for the students of Grade 1 and 2. The Katutubong Awitin was a dancing and singing contest for Grade 3 and 4 pupils. The Dulawit was a contest for Grade 5 and 6 wherein the participants choose a song and convey the message of that song through a skit.

         For the high school department, there was Ang Tinig. Ang Tinig was derived from the famous singing contest The Voice where the judges’ chairs are faced towards the audience during the contestant’s. performance and when they are interested in the performer they press a button that turns their chair to face the singer. The school’s adaptationmakes use of swivel chairs and a twist – the participants are required to translate the  English song they are singing to Filipino.

         For both departments, there was eKwento mo. eKwento mo is a writing contest wherein the participants must write a story about how Mother Mary changed their own lives or other people’s lives. The participants have a time limit of 2 hours to finish their story and they also have the help of the internet for added information.

         All these activities were fun and highly entertaining. Best of all, they were all about the significance and beauty of our national language. “Mabuhay ang wikang Filipino.”