DARYL M. OBCIANA (Grade 8), ANA CARMELA T. COMENDADOR (BS Ed-III), and ABEGAIL M. SARMIENTO (BS Ed-III), students of SHC were declared champions of declamation, oration, and extemporaneous speaking, respectively, at the recent national level of the Elocution Contest held at Adamson University in Manila, March 12, 2010.

High school and college students from the schools, colleges and universities of the Saint Louise de Marillac Educational System, under the care of the Daughters of Charity, all over the Philippines participated in the said contest. Among them is SHC-Lucena City in Quezon Province.

According to Engr. Elda Aranilla, chairperson of the SHC Events Committee on the 350th Death Anniversary of Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac, preparations for the Elocution Contest begun early December of 2009. A separate contest for oratorical and declamation piece writing was participated in by Christian Living (C.L.) classes of the high school students at the Basic Education Department (B.E.D.) and Religious Education (R.E.) classes of the Higher Education Department (HE.D.).

ORATORICAL PIECE WRITING WINNERS
B.E.D. – REI LUIS AIRON A. DOMINGO (Grade 7)
H.E.D. – LIANA ANGELI MENDOZA (BS Ed I)

DECLAMATION PIECE WRITING WINNERS
B.E.D. – DARYL M. OBCIANA (Grade 8)
H.E.D. – MA. NOLA MARJORY A. RAMOS (BSA II)

The winners were carefully chosen by the board of judges composed of the Vice President for Academics, Research, Christian and Vincentian Formation, Dr. Josefina Parentela; Director of the Center for Christian and Vincentian Formation, Sr. Rosa Lynn Doromal, DC.; Vice Principal of the Lower B.E.D. and Director for Cultural Affairs, Dr. Luzviminda Calzado; Director for Alumni Affairs, Sr. Victoria Palencia, D.C.; Director for Students Affairs, Ms. Maria Lucila Baroro; Dean of the College of Social Work, Sr. Enriqueta Legaste, D.C.; Coordinator of R.E. and C.L., Mrs. Sylvia Ingente; Coordinator of Vincentian Formation, Mr. Narciso “Jun” Cruzat; and professor at the H.E.D., Mrs. Raquel Sena.

From the winning pieces, Dr. Calzado finalized the declamation piece and Sr. Rosa Lynn for the oratorical piece. These were used by the school’s representatives to the Elocution Contest.

In choosing the school’s representatives to the Elocution Contest, elimination rounds were held from the C.L. and R.E. classes, then by year level and finally by department from mid-January to early February of 2010. The members of the board of judges for the competition at the school level were: Dr. Calzado, Mrs. Sena, Dr. Maria Zorayda Torres (Human Resources Director), Mr. Edward Mancilla (Coordinator of the B.E.D. English Area), Mr. Sherwin de la Cruz and Ms. Teresa Hazel Gemoto (faculty members from the B.E.D.).

The winners from the schoolwide competition represented SHC to the Regional Elocution Contest held at Sta. Isabel College in Manila on February 26, 2010, all of which bagged awards:

ORATORICAL CONTEST
B.E.D. 1st place – BRYAN JOSEPH A. SOCHAYSENG (Grade 8) with trainer Mr. Sherwin de la Cruz
H.E.D. 1st place – ANA CARMELA T. COMENDADOR (BS Ed III) with trainer Mrs. Leonor Justarez


DECLAMATION CONTEST B.E.D. 1st place – DARYL M. OBCIANA (Grade 8) with trainer Dr. Luzviminda Calzado

H.E.D. 2nd place – IVY DALANGIN (BS Ed II) with trainer Dr. Maria Zorayda Torres

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING CONTEST B.E.D. 3rd place – NELSON LEQUIN III (Grade 9) with trainer Ms. Teresa Hazel Gemoto

H.E.D. 1st place – ABEGAIL M. SARMIENTO (BS Ed III) with trainer Mrs. Raquel Sena

With all these, Engr. Aranilla is proud to say that Cordians can truly level up and be at par with students who are from popular colleges and universities in Metro Manila and all over the Philippines.

The Elocution Contest, with the theme “Charity-Mission,” was part of the long list of activities for this jubilee year of the DC community worldwide that started on September 27, 2009. This year marks a grand celebration for the Vincentian Family all over the world as they commemorate the 350th death anniversary of their founders, Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac.