DMMMES wins drum and lyre competition

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

DON Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School this time stopped Baguio Central School from winning in the land near where the Panagbenga was born.

DMMMES played better in Scout Barrio to win the 8th Emilio Alviar Sr. Drum and Lyre Competition during the barangay's 54th town fiesta Sunday.

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DMMMES was adjudged the better performer of two musical pieces which are part of the Emilio Alviar melodies composed by Panagbenga theme composer Macario Fronda.

The school's drum and lyre team took home P15,000 and beat Panagbenga favorite and champion drum and lyre and street dancing winner BCS, which went home with the P10,000 of the P51,000 competition raised by the family of Alviar, whose birthday they celebrate on Sunday.

Another Panagbenga regular, San Vicente Elementary School came in third and P8,000 the richer in the annual competition which invites elementary schools to take part of the competition, said James Alviar, representative of the family who raised the finds for the competition.

Prize money was given down to the sixth place which went to host John Hay Elementary School.

Alviar said the event is part of the barangay fiesta which was started in 1983 when the barangay passed Resolution No. 1-15-83 signed by then barangay chairman Emilia Corpuz and her five kagawads where February 12 was adopted as Emilio U. Alviar Memorial Day with fitting ceremonies in coordination with the annual Scout Barrio Fiesta.

The resolution further stated “the day will be reserved for the Alviar clan to make necessary activities they deem appropriate for the memory."

Alviar, who is now based in the United States as well as most of his siblings, said they started efforts in February 12, 1983 including basketball competitions, volleyball as well as a run.

In 2005, they decided to host the drum and lyre competition and had Fronda compose songs for their father, who was part of the Saint Louis College school band as a student with Fronda.

The invitational competition draws some of the best elementary schools in the city and they as much want to invite all the schools thus they invite a minimum number every year. “We want to give the schools a chance to join and win,” he explained.

Alviar said they are now preparing a grand celebration in 2014 when the event turns 10 wherein prizes could reach P100,000.

“It will be a battle of the champions,” said Alviar as the winners of each year since 2005 to join.

DMMMES finished second to BCS during the launching of the Panagbenga last Feb. 1 and took home P110,000 for their effort.

BCS topped the competition for the grand prize of P130,000, while Special Education Center was third and P90,000 the richer.

All the participating elementary schools - Mabini, Doña Aurora, Lucban, San Vicente, Pacday Quinio, Aguinaldo, Dona Nicasia Puyat, John Hay, Josefa Cariño, and Benguet Schools; Camp 3 of Tuba and La Trinidad Central School were all given P30,000 each as consolation prize. (Angel Villaralvo)