Another year, another
challenge, another adventure not just for the children of the various Balete
Elementary and secondary schools, but also for the judges who came to
experience the enchantment of Balete.
This 2nd Eco Art and
Recycle Art Contest is also my second time to judge children’s work in this
town. It is definitely a challenge for me to judge the best work of those young
people who joined the
competition, and an adventure to be enchanted by the
beautiful nature which surrounds the town of Balete.
What is so enchanting about this place
is that the community seems to work together from the young adults to the
elders, and they always wear a winning smile. The children are polite, quiet,
and are most definitely extremely
talented judging by their entries in this contest.
They had creatively expressed their
artwork in the theme of the 4R’s – which means Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and according to the organizer, Riveting. The children most certainly delivered their best.
I even mistook the Balete tree for an enchanted castle, though I was
politely informed that that was in fact a tree.
The dedicated, hardworking organizer
of this event is none other than the treasure of Balete, Honorable Patrick F.
Lachica, together with Mrs. Ana Sandra N. Paunillo and Mrs. Nyl L. Gallardez.
But first things first, before we were taken to the venue of the contest we
were invited to the Basura Garden owned by the parents of Honorable Patrick
Lachica. We were given a sumptuous lunch and I had the opportunity to once
again investigate what kind of garbage Mr. Cip Lachica had added to his
collection. I also managed to purchase some souvenirs from the shop run by the
energetic Mrs. Lachica.
During the two hours given to the
children to finish and display their work, the judges were invited to their
mini forest, and I was glad to participate in planting some trees. I was
informed that we have planted approximately 55 trees in many parts of the
landscaped areas. With the help of the PNP of Balete, the PTA officers, the
DENR, the Dep Ed, and LGU’s officials and students, I managed to plant one Neem
Tree.
It was hard work, but judging the
children’s entries was even harder, but in the end we managed to select the
winners.
On the secondary level, first prize
went to John Noel Monreal and Ryan V. Bantigue from Jose F. Menez Memorial
National High School. Their coach was Ms. Lee Ann G. Rodriguez. Second place
went to Mariafe Bontogon and Janeth
Rentillo of Balete Academy, with coach Ms. Sheena Mae Cualing. The third
prize was awarded to John David Gallardo and Dave Sean Pelayo of Jose B.
Legaspi Memorial National High School, with coach Ms. Editha Apruebo.
At elementary level the winners were as
follows: First prize to Melanie Quillano and Jan Leoneth Relado of Arcangel Sur
Elementary School, with coach Ms. Cecille Felipe. Second prize to Roshi Ivan
Cuatriz and Adrian John Savedor of Morales Elementary School, with Ms. Roselyn
Cuatriz as their coach. Third prize was awarded to Kimberly Santiga and Gabriel
Santiga of Balete Elementary school, with coaches Ms Annaliza Villaruel and Ms.
Marnivic Villaruel.
The Eco Art Board of Judges included
Architect Jose Dureza, who is also an artist known for his water color paintings, together with Ms.
Sumra dela Cruz-Rojo, another artist who is also the curator of the Kalibo
Museum. Also on the panel of judges were Miss Jessie Y. Gerardo, Science
Supervisor of Dep Ed, Mr. Roy Escalona, President of the Aklan Kamera
Organization, Mr. Cip Lachica, a man known not just for his sculptures but also
for the Basura Garden, and yours truly, Kool Earth President and Marine
Environmental Protection Officer for Region 6.
The Honorable Peter C. Recidoro, SB
member of Balete, Mrs. Lucita P. Recidoro, District Supervisor, and Mr. Julio
R. Gallardez Jnr, the headmaster of Balete Elementary School, were with us for
the whole enchanting afternoon./CH
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