VOICE OF THE YOUTH

National Oratorical Competition

The Department of Education National Office, together with the STI Foundation and the National Youth Center of the Philippines (NYC) Manila held the ‘Voice of the Youth National Oratorical Divisional Competition’, for the first time in Aklan, with the theme: “Change I Want to See Begins with Me, Becoming the New Filipino” The event was held at the STI College and APSTA Building in Kalibo, Aklan, on November 25, 2010,

The objectives of the National Oratorical Competition are to develop the young people’s ability to think critically, and to have the confidence to express their thoughts in English. To encourage the students to ‘think outside the box’, and to learn to express themselves in any situation they encounter that affect their lives, and to inspire students to motivate, influence and inform others through the art of public speaking.The criteria for judging at the Divisional Level were: Content was maximum 40 points. Delivery was a maximum of 40 points and the interview was 20 points. All the contestants answered the panel of judges with courage and understanding of the issues surrounding the youth in today’s society.

All of them desire peace and were inspired to become the New Filipino from a typical Filipino upbringing. They all agreed to “start from within”.

The youths want to see the change of becoming the New Filipino, simply by obeying their parents and teachers, by accepting their teachings in good values, rules and regulations, plant trees, help in the ecological solid waste management of the local community which is to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, and to remain productive members of the society.

The participating schools were: Aklan Catholic College High School, Aklan National High School for Arts and Trades, Bacan National High School, Central Visayan Institute of Aklan, Inc., Infant Jesus Academy-Kalibo Campus, Linabuan National High School, Regional Science High School for Region VI and St. Anne Montessori School, Kalibo, Aklan, Inc.

The board of judges for the cluster competition was headed by Ms. Leilanie Francisco of Linabuan High School, representing the Department of Education. Other members of the board of judges were Ms. Milagros Yerro-Lumbo of Northwestern Visayan Colleges (NVC) and Ms. Melrose S. Lunn of the Toastmasters International, Philippines, in Aklan.

The Secretariat Chairman, Mr. Edsel R. Tupas said that this is the 1st Voice of the Youth that the STI have sponsored. This will be held annually in all the provinces in the Philippines. STI College in Aklan is the leading institution offering communications and technology courses and in the national level is the leader in innovative and relevant education that nurtures individuals to become competent and responsible members of the society.

They are committed to provide knowledge through the development and delivery of superior learning systems./TE