News

MHSS hosts Manila schools’ ‘Mutya ng Wikang Filipino’ 2011 Contest

Mutya ng Wikang Filipino 2011 Ma.Valerie C. De Las Llagas from St. Joseph School. Photo taken from SSKPil's official Facebook page with permission

As part of the celebration of “Buwan ng Wika” last month, the Samahang Sining at Kultura ng Pilipinas (SSKPil) and Samahang Kababaihang Balagtas (SKB) held its yearly “Mutya ng Wikang Filipino” competition this year at the Malayan High School of Science (MHSS) gymnasium on August 27.

Ten 3rd year and 4th year female high school students from schools in Pandacan, Paco, Sta. Ana and Sta. Mesa showed off their talents in writing and speaking the Filipino language as they vied for three titles, namely Mutya ng Wikang Filipino 2011, Mutya ng Panitikan and Mutya ng Pakikipagtalastasan.

The participating schools were Manuel A. Roxas High, Villamor High, Mariano Marcos High, Elpidio Quirino High, Emilio Aguinaldo Integrated, ERDA Tech & Vocational School, EARIST, St. Mary's Academy, and St. Joseph School.

The 10 finalists were chosen after going through rigorous auditions. The objective of the annual competition is to recognize the role of female high school students living in Manila in preserving and promoting the Filipino language. The contest also aims to train them to become productive members of society and teach them to lead a life full of respect and love for Philippine art and culture.

This has been a yearly project of SSKPil and SKB since it was first launched by SKB in 1991.

According to Mr. Santos, the finalists went through a series of trainings and workshops before the actual competition.

“ May mga workshops sa larangan ng pagkatha ng tula at maikling kwento, pagsasayaw, pag-arte, pag-awit, personality enhancement, pakikipagtalastasan, walking tour sa Pandacan, May pakontest pa rin gamit ang Facebook,” he said. “Mas maraming papremyo ngayong taon ( may mga special awards tulad ng Pinakamahusay makipagkaibigan, Pinakamahusay sa Pagsulat ng Maikling Kuwento, atbp.) at mas marami ang nanood na mga kabataan sa mas malaking venue.”

This year’s winners were:

Mutya ng Wikang Filipino 2011--- Ma.Valerie C. De Las Llagas, St. Joseph School (“Saan Ka Man Dalhin ng Iyong Paa”)

Mutya ng Panitikan --- Merjorie May C. Young, Villamor High School (“Panaghoy ng Kalikasan)

Mutya ng Pakikipagtalastasan --- Applecina B. Barrozo, ERDA Technical School (“Puga”)

“Ang mga datihang nagwagi sa mga nagdaang Mutya ng Wika ang siyang katulong na nangasiwa sa proyektong ito sa taong ito. At ito na rin ang magiging direksiyon sa mga susunod na taon na magiging kabilang naman ang nagsipagwagi sa taong ito,” he added.

This year’s winners will represent SSKPil in various activities. Mr Santos said, as winners, they now become temporary members of SSKPil. Their one-year membership can be extended if they want to, he added.

Meanwhile, MHSS principal Dr. Efren B. Mateo cited the importance of holding such activities in MHSS.

He said: “We agreed to host the Mutya ng Buwan ng Wika because it is part of our corporate social responsibility. Since we are a new school, we want to show our community that we are readily available to give our service or assist anyone in their cultural activities.”