by: Aya Ecaldre || Photo Credit: Paskorus Technical Working Group

To celebrate the holiday season, the Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC) held the annual competition for the PasKoral and PaskoJingle virtually last December 19, 2022, via Facebook Live. Organized by the PEHM unit, together with Musikanta, the event showcased video outputs by the students. 

The event was formally opened by Mrs. Leslie Cruto. She mentioned that this yearly tradition allows us to discover students’ talents and skills. 

“Traditions are important in the Filipino culture, and all Pisay scholars go through this celebration year after year to tell us their stories,” she added.

Ms. Cindy Campanero then introduced the board of judges. The board consisted of three members, namely the chair, Ms. Maricar Tegero, together with Mr. John Mark Esperas and Mr. Jelf Seberre. Tegero graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Music, Arts, PE, and Health from Leyte Normal University (LNU) and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education Major in Physical Education at the University of Visayas, Cebu City. She was also a former PSHS-EVC PEHM mentor, A.Y. 2013-2014. 

Esperas is also a graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Music, Arts, PE, and Health from LNU, an instructor at Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), and is the assistant choirmaster of Sinirangan Chamber Singers. On the other hand, Seberre is a musician, song accompanist, band and liturgical keyboardist, violinist, and choir trainer who participated in 11 local and three international tours overall. 

The PasKoral and PaskoJingle were both conducted by house and category. Houses Aglaea, Thalia, and Euthymia prepared one entry for each contest under Category A, consisting of students from Grades 7-9, and Category B, composed of students from Grades 10-12. 

The criteria for judging include the engagements garnered for each video entry posted on the EVC Direct Facebook Page. The competition results will be released on Christmas Day, December 25, 2022.

Briella Acala, a freshman, shared how fun and enjoyable her PasKoral experience was since it was her first time participating. 

Grade 8 student Joxyne Gravoso also stated that the event was a fun experience. She expressed their gratitude to their Grade 9 seniors, who facilitated and guided them throughout the preparation period. 

Jhun Kenneth Iniego from Batch Arimo (2023) quoted that they had fun while practicing for PasKoral. He also highlighted that their overall cooperation together as a house resulted in their majestic output. 

“Because the PasKoral was by category, I was able to interact with a few lower year [students] which I loved! The practices and recordings allowed us to bond and overall, it was an event that I’ll look forward to happening again,” Ariadni Palomo, a Grade 9 student, said. 

The event was then concluded with a closing message from the Campus Director, Ms. Yvonne Esperas. In her message, she thanked the PEHM unit and those involved in making the event a success. 

“It is with utmost sincerity that I wish you all the love from your family and friends, the joy and harmony of being together with your loved ones, and peace in your hearts,” she noted.