Features
Featured Contribution
MONHS students: Proud to be Subanons
By Peter Garrido
Teacher, Misamis Occidental National High School
Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental
Deemed as the first inhabitants of Oroquieta, the Subanon people’s values and culture remain in the hearts and minds of our younger generation. The Special Program in Arts (SPA) students of Misamis Occidental National High School (MONHS) proved this in the first ever “Sining Pambansa Festival” which was held in Baguio City.
With the guidance of their teachers and support from their parents, school officials, and the local government, the SPA students worked hard in order to showcase unique culture and dances of the Subanon people and the excellence of Oroquieta City as well.
Through the course of the preparation for the festival, the students and their teacher-trainers spent hours rehearsing to master the intricate Subanon dance steps, songs, and lyrical pieces. The SPA students were very determined to master each step, every twist of the hand, and each movement. They even devoted some of their time during weekends to practice and perfect the steps, lyrics, and choreography.
The teacher-trainers guided the students well. They taught the performers how to really feel the music and make the Subanon culture and identity truly come alive through their performance.
And come alive it did. With every tap, clap, and beat, the SPA students told a story about the Subanon dance. With every move, every note and tune, the rich cultural heritage of the Subanons was shown and experienced.
The SPA students’ experience in joining the festival not only challenged their talents and skills. It also taught them how to be proud of their culture, how to be a proud Subanon.
(Published 12 May 2008, Smart Communications, Inc.)
