Wednesday, January 03, 2007 Cebuano student wins Rizal oratorical contest
SOUTHWESTERN University’s (SWU) James Arthur Fernandez bested young orators in the country in the First Rizal Festival of Excellence in Bayview Park Hotel Manila.
The board of judges were unanimous in declaring Fernandez as winner after his 10-minute delivery.
Coached by SWU’s Cultural Affairs director, Al Evangelio, the dean’s lister from Carcar is also the lead dancer of SWU’s Zugbo Dance Theater and the principal actor of the school’s annual play “Calamba Joe,” which is slated for staging on Jan. 12 to Jan. 14 at SM City Cinema One.
Happiness
“I worked so hard for this and you can imagine my happiness when my region was called. I am a first timer in public speaking and though I anticipated the very stiff competition, I had so much faith in my mentor that he would steer the way to victory because he took pains in making me understand the meaning of every word, of every complementary gesture, the value of enunciation and articulation, the subtlety of facial expression and the power of the eyes in conveying your belief to the audience at large,” Fernandez said when asked after his victory.
He received a certificate, books on Rizal and a P25,000 check.
Winners
Oration was one of the three divisions during the competition.
A representative from Dapitan won the quiz bowl while the music theater was dominated by the Gingoog contingent.
