Written by: Ms. Wilma Duco-Renolayan, Student Publication Moderator
Vigan, Ilocos Sur-Selected DLSZ students from grade school and high school raised the Junior Archers’ flag to its pinnacle when they hauled major awards in the 37th CMLI Summer Conference held in Vigan, Ilocos Sur on April 23-27.
Young Observer’s Associate Editor Alyzza May P. Horii (DLSZ 2021) led DLSZ’s winning streak when she snagged the title Best in Extemporaneous Speech (English category). Despite being a neophyte in the competition, Horii brought home three awards, including second place in essay writing (English category) and Best in Newscast (English Category).
Other newbies but made a stunning mark in the contest were SRCC officer Madeleine Anne R. Aromin (DLSZ 2021) who was declared the rightful champion in poetry writing (English category) and Star Rycher Ealijah G. De Leon (DLSZ 2021) who received the bronze medal in the poster making competition.
Young Observer writer Cholo V. Aguilar (DLSZ 2021) broke his record of a single win last year after tugging the gold medal for Poetry Writing in Filipino and finishing second place in both Extemporaneous Speech (Filipino category) and Essay Writing (Filipino category).
Just like Aguilar, another second-timer in the conference was SRCC President and Young Observer writer Camille Marie A. Castro (DLSZ 2022) who ended second in newswriting (English category).
In high school, Fumiya Kyle M. Ueda (DLSZ 2016) was awarded the gold medal for Extemporaneous Speech in English while DLSZ’s contenders for Project Feasibility Study (PFS) spearheaded by John Philip S. Lee (DLSZ 2016) and Andrea Betina C. Hocson (Junior G) nailed their project proposal to the top when they brought home the much coveted trophy in the competition—Best Project Feasibility Study. Their project entitled Silid Aralan:Daan sa Pagkakakilanlan received the Best PFS title award, tying it with St. Paul’s College. Hocson received recognition for excellence in (PFS) workshop.
Aside from Hocson and Lee, DLSZ’s PFS team included Fumiya Kyle M. Ueda, Keane Angelo R. Sales Diaz (DLSZ 2016), Carlos Santiago L. Gemperle (DLSZ 2016).
Student Publications Office adviser, Ms Wilma Duco-Renolayan, joined the DLSZ delegates as coach of the students who competed in rhetoric competitions and Project Feasibility Study. Ms. Clarisse Teves and Mr. Jesus Sulit, Grade School and High School SRCC advisers, respectively, were the leaders of the DLSZ delegates.
The Lasallian delegates to CMLI have proven that DLSZ is not just an excellent training ground for rhetoric excellence but a world-class stage to hone talents in performing arts. Keane Angelo R. Sales Diaz (DLSZ 2016) was named the champion in Solo Singing Contest. His interpretation of Leo Valdez’s Ngayon wowed the crowd from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Kirsten Ashley L. Mayuga (DLSZ 2017) received the Best in Solo Theater Act award.
DLSZ landed on the third spot in Hip Hop dance competition but the judges rendered a unanimous decision in declaring DLSZ as Best in Talent Variety Show (TVS).
The following were the members of the DLSZ dance troop in Hip Hop: Juan Carlo C. Cabero (DLSZ 2016), Charles Dominic B. Barriga (DLSZ 2016), Carlos Santiago L. Gemperle (DLSZ 2016), Jose Lorenzo S. Merilleno (DLSZ 2016), Andrea Betina C. Hocson (DLSZ 2016), Allen Wayne “Aja” C. Ellett (DLSZ 2018), and Kirsten Ashley L. Mayuga (DLSZ 2017). The same students completed the DLSZ TVS talents which included John Philip S. Lee (DLSZ 2016), Fumiya Kyle M. Ueda (DLSZ 2016), Joannah Angellie D. Vazquez (Sophomore C), Keane Angelo R. Sales Diaz (DLSZ 2016), and Peter Andrew B. Acierto (DLSZ 2016).
In the Mr. and Ms CMLI Summer-Con 2015 Pageant, Jose Lorenzo S. Merilleno (Junior E) was crowned Mr. CMLI Summer-Con 2015. Merilleno received special two awards: Best in Casual Wear and Best in Summer Attire. Meanwhile, John Philip S. Lee (Junior G) was awarded Best in Talent.
Themed “CMLI and the Filipino Youth: Trailblazing the Filipino Identity in the Global Society”, the conference facilitated various workshops in visual and performing arts, news and creative writing, rhetoric, among others, to instil among participants the relevance and importance of embracing the Filipino identity in the modern world.
Part of the itinerary was an alternative learning experience through an educational tour to museums and other places in the city of Vigan, which is now a world heritage site.
