CEBU – The Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children has recently showcased the 7th Halad sa Kabataan, which carried the theme, “Pagpasigarbo sa Katakus sa Batan-ong Sugbuanon”, as part of Cebu Province’s 445th Founding Anniversary.
This year’s Halad sa Kabataan was held on August 15 at the Capitol Grounds.
Halad sa Kabataan is an annual activity that gives children the opportunity to embrace and show their love for Cebu’s culture and heritage through traditional music. It is also a chance for them to hone and display their talents.
Young artists from local government units in the province showcased their talent with seven participants in guitar duet, nine participants in vocal duet competition, and five groups playing the rondalla.
Mandaue City guitar players Glyze Allen Marie Bordadora and Henry Hude Maningo were selected grand champions. The contestants from San Remigio and Carcar City got the 2nd and 3rd place slots, respectively.
In the vocal duet competition, Mike Angelo Allaga and Rachel Anne Caramugan of Consolacion were declared as grand champions.
“We’re proud and happy to have been selected as winners among so many very good players. We never expected to win because we felt that there were better than us,” said Allaga.
Caramugan said they practiced their winning piece entitled “Bitoon Mo” for a week and it was hard for them to get the blend of the song. Caramugan is in Grade 8 while Allaga is a Grade 9 student. Both are students of Consolacion National High School.
Mariella Linea Enad and Jessical Villarubin of San Fernando and Rex Anthony Suico and Cathy Capangpangan of San Remegio got the 2nd and 3rd prizes, respectively.
The Tayuktok Children’s Rondalla of Argao was selected the grand champion for the rondalla category. Talisay City Rondalla and CBSAA Rondalla Ensemble of Bogo City got the 2nd and 3rd prizes, respectively.
Each winner received a cash prize and a trophy.
Meanwhile, Governor Hilario P. Davide III expressed his gratitude to Vice Governor Agnes Magpale for the success of the event. Instead of giving a message, he just serenaded the audience with a song titled “Greatest Love of All” by George Benson.
Magpale, in her speech, said that the program is really intended for the children and to discover their talents. She added that the Halad sa Kabataan will be held annually. (Lee De la Cerna)
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