By Anntoine Emmanouil Borcena and Reyan Ashlei Llagas
Photos by Rae Cza Gonatice
The Senior High School Department was full of life and excitement on the last day (September 27, 2024) of Malaya at the International Colleges for Excellence, Inc. The program was split into two parts – the first part included the competitions of Sinag, Indak, and Birit; while the second part included Rampa and Hataw. Before the start of competition, an opening prayer was led by Ma’am Shyra D. Inaldo, followed by a doxology from the ICE’s drama club Luna that depicted the bravery of Filipinos who fought for our freedom. This was followed by the singing of the National Anthem and ICE Hymn, and then the opening remarks by the Senior High School Principal, Ma’am April Joy Lim-Josef.
Before the start of the contest proper, Ma’am Marilyn Pojas, together with Ma’am Stephanie Joy Manglallan introduced the board of judges. The first judge, Mr. Lyndon Cleo N. Biagtas, is an alumnus of ICE and an active participant during past events like Malaya. Currently, he is a business ambassador of Atelier PH and Kamimura’s Manga Cafe. The second judge is Mrs. Jara Mae O. Orpilla, also an alumna of ICE and was a member of ICE’s first dance club. At present, she manages several businesses locally while being a first-time mother. Last but not the least is Mr. Jerwin L. Aben, another alumnus of ICE, and was one of the first singers and lead vocalists of the emerging band of ICE during his time. Right now he is a business development executive of COCOTEL Hotels and Resorts.
Sinag
The first segment of the competition was the Sinag or the Mural Painting with the theme “Pusong Payapa Tungo sa Buhay na Malaya”. The paintings were already pre-judged by ICE’s own, Senior High School Director, Engr. Francis Marvin I. Lim, MEng. CoE. The paintings were then paraded in front of the judges and audience by the artists who painted it, starting with the group ONE Direction, followed by the PantropiTWO, TRESaya, and 4DaGo.
Indak
The groups caught the attention of the audience and judges with their energetic steps and dance routines along with their lively chants during the Indak (Fitness Dance) competition.
The first group to perform was from the group of ONE Direction, followed by the group of PantropiTWO, TRESaya, and finally, the 4DaGo. All of the groups incorporated three or more TikTok trends dances with abundant energy, lively music and smiles on their faces during their entire performance.
Thereafter, the Tala dance group performed an intermission number. This was followed by a short break to give way for the Birit contestants to set up their instruments, and giving the students a chance to relax after the excitement of the cheering.
Birit
After the short break, the Battle of the Bands or Birit commenced. To start the competition, the group from ONE Direction started their performance with a hit song, Buwan by Juan Karlos Labajo, followed by Upuan by Gloc 9 ft. Jeazell Grutas, and What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction. Next group to perform were the contenders from PantropiTWO, their setlist includes Ikaw Lang by Nobita, Die With A Smile by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga, and Mundo by IV of Spades. The proceeding group to perform, which was TRESaya performed Domino by Jessie J, Karera by BINI, and Sining by Dionela ft. Jr. Last group to perform is the group 4DaGo, their setlist includes all OPM hot hits like Palagi by TJ Monterde, Ere by Juan Karlos Labajo, and Dilaw by Maki. All throughout the competition the audience enthusiastically jammed along with each group performing.
The ending of the Birit also concludes part 1 for the Malaya Senior High School edition. Ma’am Marilyn Pojas has announced a lunch break for all the participants, teachers, as well as the judges, and that the program will commence at exactly 1 in the afternoon.
Rampa
The Agila Music Ministry started the afternoon program with a musical number, followed by a cosplay performance by one of the judges, Mr. Lyndon Cleo Biagtas.
Kicking off the afternoon competition, Rampa is a cosplay competition where contestants exhibit their skillfully sewn costumes and carefully crafted props.
Starting strongly was the first group, One Direction, with their exceptional Call of Duty: Mobile cosplay. The next to embark on stage was the second group, PantropiTWO’s remarkable Resident Evil cosplay with their detailed costumes and neat handiwork. Following this was Group 3: TRESaya’s outstanding God Eater cosplay that left the crowd cheering with their showmanship. And last to step on stage was Group 4: 4DaGo’s intricately designed Kaiju No.8 cosplay.
After the Rampa competition, another intermission number was performed by the Agila music ministry.
Hataw
The different festival dances that were prepared by the different groups brought festive and flamboyant props and costumes, lively, energetic performances, and loud chants to the last competition of Malaya and enthralled the audience and judges.
The first group to perform was the group ONE Direction, who took us on a trip to Quezon Province and performed the Niyogyugan Festival, highlighting the time when coconut farming was the primary livelihood of people in Lucena City. Next to perform was the group PantropiTWO , which showcased the tradition and rich culture of Dagupan City, Pangasinan by dancing the Bangus Festival. The next group, TRESaya, performed the Talong Festival from Villasis, Pangasinan, which celebrates the town’s abundant harvest of “talong”, or eggplant in English. The last group to perform was 4DaGo, whose festival dance featured the Kankanen Festival from Asingan, Pangasinan which showcases the cultures and tradition of the town and its people, especially in agriculture.
After the competition proper, a closing remark was given by the Senior High School Director, Engr. Francis Marvin I. Lim, MEng.CoE, followed by the giving of the Certificates of Appreciation to the judges by ICE’s Preident, Engineer Danilo B. Lim and Vice President, Mrs. Zaida I. Lim. The closing prayer was led by Ma’am Phoebe Kate S. Binala.
Finally, the most anticipated part of the event came afterwards, the awarding. Mixed emotions were evident from the faces of the students, and their group leaders. The tension in the air can easily be felt as the participants started to get anxious about the results to know what group will be sitting on the championship throne for each contest.
The results of the neck-and-neck competition are as follows:
Sinag:
Champion – 4DaGO
1st Runner Up – TRESaya
2nd Runner Up – PantropiTWO
3rd Runner Up – ONE Direction
Indak:
Champion – 4DaGO
1st Runner Up – PantropiTWO
2nd Runner Up – ONE Direction
3rd Runner Up – TRESaya
Birit:
Champion – 4DaGO
1st Runner Up – PanropiTWO
2nd Runner Up – ONE Direction
3rd Runner Up – TRESaya
Rampa:
Champion – TRESaya
1st Runner Up – 4DaGo
2nd Runner Up – PantropiTWO
3rd Runner Up – ONE Direction
Hataw:
Champion – ONE Direction
1st Runner Up – 4DaGo
2nd Runner Up – TRESaya
3rd Runner Up – PantropiTWO
Overall Ranking:
Champion – 4DaGO
1st Runner Up – PantropiTWO
2nd Runner Up – TRESaya
3rd Runner Up – ONE Direction
