The Tagkawayan Central Elementary Faculty Drum and Lyre Corps luggage awards within the Thailand World Music Championships in Sisaket, Thailand from December 18-21, 2024. (Picture courtesy of Liberty Valderrama)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ lone consultant within the lately held Thailand World Music Championships cemented its legacy on the worldwide stage for the primary time, bringing the nation delight.
The workforce gained within the following classes: indoor percussion (1st place); marching avenue parade (1st place); colour guard battle (2nd place); and colour guard ensemble (2nd place).
However earlier than this, the Tagkawayan Central Elementary Faculty Drum and Lyre Corps needed to overcome months of struggles main as much as the competitors. Monetary issues have been the heaviest burden the band, dad and mom, and lecturers needed to bear.
Regardless of the chances, sturdy assist rallied behind the workforce, serving to them obtain their desires.
Dedication, assist system
In an interview with INQUIRER.internet final September, Thelma Manalo, principal of Tagkawayan Central Elementary Faculty, shared that the workforce’s preparations have been challenged by the necessity to elevate P1.5 million to cowl the airfare, lodge lodging, and costumes for the band, along with the coach’s price of P500,000.
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Manalo mentioned they held a fundraising occasion and started soliciting funds from non-public people and native companies of their space to cowl the competitors bills.
Three months later, Manalo advised INQUIRER.internet that though that they had not reached the goal quantity earlier than the competitors, they have been in a position to fund the workforce’s bills.
She mentioned that other than the funds raised by way of the fundraising initiative, the college additionally organized a pageant to assist the band’s competitors. She added that the city’s public officers, different lecturers, and oldsters additionally supplied monetary help.
In the identical interview, Liberty Valderrama, the band’s coordinator, mentioned that apart from monetary struggles, the youngsters needed to endure longer apply hours that conflicted with faculty hours, an absence of a correct apply venue, and the continued rains.
Valderrama talked about that they even thought-about backing out of the competitors attributable to these challenges.
Tagkawayan Central Elementary Faculty is the Philippines’ sole consultant for the Thailand World Music Championships. (Picture courtesy of Liberty Valderrama)
“Nandoon sa ganoong isipin pero nandoon din sa paninindigan na kaya naman po kung magtutulung-tulungan tyaka yung pagsolicit. Marami eh, connections to connections. Parang ganun ang nangyari,” Valderrama mentioned.
(We had that thought, however we believed we may make it if we labored collectively and thru our efforts in soliciting. There have been many connections—one led to a different. That’s the way it occurred.)
“‘Yung nakikita naming determinasyon ng mga bata, isa po talaga eh. Hindi po kami makabitaw dahil yung awa tapos paghanga kung paano ineenhance yung talent kung paano maabot yung talagang gusto nilang manalo sa Thailand. Yun din po ang nagpalakas ng loob sa amin,” Manalo added.
(The dedication we noticed within the youngsters was one other factor. We couldn’t again down due to our sympathy for them, and admiration for a way they honed their expertise and labored arduous to realize their objective of successful in Thailand. That’s what gave us the power to maintain going.)
Showcasing expertise, expertise
The kids are accompanied by their dad and mom and lecturers within the competitors. (Picture courtesy of Liberty Valderrama)
The Thailand World Music Championships was first held in 2010 amongst Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Hong Kong delegates.
This 12 months’s championship came about in Sisaket, Thailand from December 18 to December 21.
The Philippines’ consultant, composed of 47 college students, confirmed the fruit of their arduous work within the competitors.
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“Ang pray ko lang ay kahit ‘di manalo, basta maging protected pauwi. ‘Yun lang ang naging prayer ko doon kaya lang, nagkaroon ng bonus. Ginalingan talaga ng mga bata,” Manalo mentioned.
(My solely prayer was that they return residence safely, even when they didn’t win. That was my prayer all alongside, however in the long run, it turned a bonus. The youngsters actually gave it their all.)
The drum and lyre corps wins first place within the marching avenue parade class. (Picture courtesy of Liberty Valderrama)
Manalo and Valderrama, beaming with happiness, mentioned that other than inserting in 4 classes, in addition they obtained the “Royal Trophy” for his or her marching avenue band win. The award was offered by the ministry in a solemn ceremony.
Valderrama additionally recalled the second when the children have been marching down the road, with many Thai nationals cheering for them.
The “Royal Trophy” is offered to the Philippine delegates for successful first place within the marching avenue parade. (Picture courtesy of Liberty Valderrama)
“‘Yung second na kami po ay nagpaparade sa kalsada, sobrang nakakaproud kasi ang sinisigaw ng mga Thai ay “Philippines!”… Nakakaproud kasi yung flag namin, Philippines,” Valderrama added.
(The second we have been parading on the road was so proud. The Thai folks have been shouting ‘Philippines!’ It was such a proud second as a result of our flag, the Philippines flag, was being acknowledged.)
The band coordinator additionally mentioned that whereas they knew of the youngsters’s capabilities, they have been nonetheless shocked by their efficiency within the competitors.
“In the course of the apply, nagagalit na yung principal kasi di nila inaayos yung galaw, pero pagdating sa competitors sobrang nakakaproud ang mga bata. Kayang makipagsabayan tayong mga Pilipino sa ibang lahi… Hindi nakakahiyang ilabas ng bansa ang mga bata po natin,” she added.
(Throughout apply, the principal would get upset as a result of they weren’t fixing their actions. However when it got here to the competitors, the children made us so proud. Filipinos can undoubtedly compete with different nationalities. It’s not embarrassing to ship our youngsters overseas.)
Shifting ahead
The delegates’ sturdy assist system: their dad and mom and lecturers. (Picture courtesy of Liberty Valderrama)
Manalo talked about that earlier than they left Thailand, they made a plan to maintain the youngsters’s expertise and skills. She added that they needed this system to proceed even after the competitors.
“Plano po namin para hindi mawala yung mga bata sa kanilang mga naenhance na talent, bubuuin po namin yung Tagkawayan group band para steady yung coaching. Ang mga dad and mom naman ay very supportive,” Manalo mentioned.
(We plan to make sure the youngsters don’t lose the talents they’ve enhanced, so we’ll type the Tagkawayan group band for steady coaching. The dad and mom are additionally very supportive.)
Valderrama shared that they obtained invites from Russia and the Netherlands to compete in 2026. They mentioned they’ll see the place the plans take them.
“‘Yung mga pinagdaanan namin, gagamitin na lang namin para mas mapaimprove pa at mapaganda pa yung movement ng aming pagsali,” Manalo expressed.
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(We are going to use every part we’ve been by way of to enhance and improve the movement within the subsequent competitions.)