Harnessing their prowess in delivery, representatives hailing from colleges and satellite campuses flocked to the Audio-Visual Hall as the declamation competition began at 1 p.m. on Jan. 28 with pieces reflecting the University Days theme; Banaag sang West: Celebrating our Radiant Gleam Illuminating Generation, the declaimers swept the stage.

Contorted faces, potent voices, and powerful pieces were the focal point of the craft. “Ever since I was a kid, super gid ko ka OA, and a lot of my teachers will say, ‘Why don’t you try this kind of thing acting and declamation?’ Karl Jaesop Sapul, a contender from the Tribu Delan tells us. Years of practice and competitions have led them to the university’s light, taking their place among the generations it has illuminated. In fleshing out stories, they were not only delivered with prowess but were grounded to the temperaments of the locality.

“As students we should be advocates. There should be a balance between tradition and medication,” explains Andrea Gwyneth Casabuena, Tribu Haliya’s contender. Each of their pieces echoed through the four walls of the hall and branded themselves on the hearts of those dawned with the university’s banaag.

“I was expecting to see a lot of different talents; each campus and college brings out their best, and I was really excited to see what each college has to offer in terms of experience, in terms of skill, it’s all a wonderful mix,” says Jeff Sambrano, facilitator for the Tribu Haliya. With audiences flooding the AVH, excitement surged through its high ceilings as declamation contestants took center stage to give life to their pieces. “You’ve gotten this far, you did all your best, and all I can say is bring it out here for the world to see because you deserve to shine,” Jeff tells their contender.

Shining the light for the success of the competition, the performances spoke for themselves; it took a village. “Another thing that I have is the support system from those people that watched out for our performance, and somehow I delivered my performance for them and gave them my all,” confides Karl.

Every number ended with resounding applause.

Words by Tamali Marie Superales, Michael Jansen dela Cruz and Carla Eunice Guevara, SBR Class

Photos by Tamali Marie Superales and Carla Eunice Guevara, SBR Class

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