PCWC to showcase "Halad sa Kabataan"

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children (PCWC) will showcase the 6th Halad sa Kabataan as part of the Children’s Month celebration.

PCWC has lined up several activities for the event which include song solo, guitar duet and rondalya competitions. This year’s competition guideline has triggered an adverse reaction from Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Garcia did not like the age limit in the song solo and guitar competitions. Based on the guideline the contestant representing a local government unit must be 12 to 17 years old at the time of the competition.

“The contestants must be residents of the local government unit they are representing in the competition. They must be 12-17 years of age at the time of the competition. A certification or endorsement signed by the local chief executive to this effect is required,” the guideline stated.

In the previous years, the contests are open to all ages. The organizers said that they have received feedback that people in these age bracket has no venue to showcase their talents because kids usually win over the old ones in competitions hosted by PCWC.

 “Is it bad?” Garcia asked the organizers during the meeting, “I find it strange. This is Halad sa Kabataan, this is intended for the children so why are you disqualifying those kids aging 11 years old below to join the competition?”

The council agreed to Garcia’s point and amended the guideline to include 17 years old and below.

 “The LGUs must try their best to send the best representative they could have to represent their city or municipality,” Garcia said.

The grand showdown will be held at the Cebu International Convention Center on October 12, which is incidentally Garcia’s birthday. Garcia also agreed to have it on her birthday since this will be her last term as the governor.

Before the final showdown, there will be pre-screenings in the districts. District 1 will be on August 30 at the Carcar Sports Complex, District 2 will be on September 13 at the Dalaguete Sports Complex, District 3 will be on September 7 at the Asturias Sports Complex, District 4 will be on September 20 at the San Remigio Social Hall, District 5 on September 18 at the Panphil Frasco Gym in Liloan, and District 6 on September 27 at the SM City Consolacion Activity Center.     - THE FREEMAN