NTD High Schools: a Collective force this side of Tabuk

by Marciano "m-16" A. Paroy Jr.

With the intent of selecting players that could best represent the Northern Tabuk District this coming City Meet, St. Theresita’s School-Tabuk, Tabuk Institute and Tabuk National High School linked arms and resources to hold what they termed as Triangular Meet 2009 – with the theme “A Sound Mind and a Sound Body.”
A search for Mr. and Ms NTD 2009 commenced the three-day activity, with Xyla Bayudang and Kurdell Johansen Paroy grabbing the top honors, aside from besting their fellow contestants in other special awards. Mr. Paroy was adjudged Best in Ethnic Attire, Best in Sportswear and Best in Talent, while Ms. Bayudang was named as the Best in Ethnic Attire.
Earl Madalang of Tabuk Institute landed as 1st runner-up while John Gavino of STS settled for 2nd runner-up. Vissia Fara Calizar of STS grabbed the 1st runner-up for the female category, aside from being adjudged as Best in Sportswear and Best in Talent. Jolly Maruz Martinez – an active chief girl scout with a noteworthy project in Casigayan – placed as 2nd runner-up for the girls.
As enunciated by show host Grace Mabate-Assayco during one of her eloquent spiels as she handled the pageant, “the beauty contest will serve as a teaser for more intense competitions to be fought and won for the whole duration of the sports event” – sort of a starter for students to be inspired so that they would eventually gear up their competitive muscles and plunge into the real meat of the athletic event: the drive for gold, so to speak, in all events.
The contestants themselves are athletes in various events – which was why they easily displayed sportsmanship up to the last minute when they finally left the stage. It was a refreshing sight – to see students clasping hands even if some ranking scheme has already made a distinction among them.
In the world of sports, ranking does matter. That is imperative. One has to reach the top spot and hopefully retain occupancy for some time – to be acknowledged as Number One. But still, beneath all the buzz fastened on being Number One, athletes are athletes: they play for the mere love of the game.
I hope such display of sportsmanlike character shall be exhibited all through out the activity.
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I commend the host of the show, Grace Mabate-Assayco, one of the new additions into the teaching corps of TNHS. Even with some forgivable lapses which can only be summed up as minor errors in the field of hosting, she managed to single-handedly run the show from the podium.
Standing in front for several hours, with only a copy of the program to serve as guide, is taxing – physically and mentally, since you know you have to maintain both a composure (which is physically manifested) and a quick-thinking ability to jump from one segment to another. The stress builds up, yet MCs know that they are not allowed to frown for even a fraction of a second. So, in the matter of Ms. Assayco fumbling some of her lines – these are, again, forgivable slips.
Overall, I give the MC two thumbs up (and I learned that she’s not even an English major, but from the Info Technology department). Welcome to the world of hosting, Grace (Ma’am Lorraine, Sir Bani and Mr. Guiyab now have a company for the rotation of hosting tasks). I hope to see more of her in other occasions – not only in TNHS, but in other community functions as well.
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Eyeing the chairs reserved for faculty members of the three participating schools, I saw one glaring non-appearance: those of other teachers from Tabuk Institute. Well, Mr. Joseph Belinan was around, even serving as one of the tabulators, along with the charming Jasmin Sumail, but his fellows are practically non-existent.
During student competitions, I have always valued the presence of advisers, coaches, other teachers, and if possible, school heads and administrators. No need discussing further the effect of their presence which can magically lift up the morale and confidence of the students. We can have a lengthy discourse about the incalculable push that such presence brings.
Their absence, however, can only give the students these four words: They do not care.
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Perhaps they were not allowed to leave the school premises. In which case, haan dan nga basol piman.
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In this column’s own little way, let us shed spotlight on those who did their part for the show. Along with the teachers we have earlier mentioned, may we also commend Josephina Ba-i who chaired the event, with support from Ruby Belgica, Vivian Domingo, Jasmin Sumail, Joseph Belinan and Don-Don Malana (of STS).
TNHS easily beats the attendance of teachers from all three schools, of course. Still, on hand to boost the morale of STS students were Melanie Pan-oy, Nancy Madarang, and Gemma Carbonel – who stayed the whole time with the STS contestants at the backstage. There. Kasdiay ti kailangan dagiti ubbing tayo.
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Mrs. Martina Bayudang, mother of Xyla, was a nervous wreck backstage. But that is understandable for a mother. I find it both amusing and impressive, actually. It is not always that one’s child can go onstage and shout out the surname that he or she is carrying in behalf of his or her parents. So when parents go overzealously enthusiastic during such competitions, it’s perfectly understandable.
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I guess a closing evaluation is in order.