CIT-U student wins Gullas oratorical contest

CEBU, Philippines – Nine students from universities and colle-ges in Cebu competed in this year’s Vicente Gullas Inter-Collegiate Oratorical Contest.

Gail Villacorta of Cebu Institute of Technology-University emerged as champion while Martie De Castro of St. Theresa’s College and Louie Fherds Rebugio of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation were second and third place winners, respectively.

The contestants spoke on the topic: “The ideal man is a man of virtue, wisdom and will power.”

Villacorta got the nod of the judges with her speech that quoted a portion of Don Vicente Gullas’ book The Art of Living Well: “With God’s inspiration as my guiding light, someday among thousands (of VI and) UV students and alumni, I hope to produce Kings and Queens who will never wear crowns but shall be royal just the same; and when I shall be dead, I wish that my life will not be a tale that is told – a dream empty and forgotten, I wish it to be a prayer, or a song of love and usefulness, even if only to kindle the heart of fire in the soul of some weakling or some unfortunate being who has still the spark and image of God in them.”

“A man of virtue, wisdom and will power bears the cross so that others may wear the crowns,” she added.

Villacorta received a gold medal and P15,000. Her school received a trophy and her trainer received P5,000.

De Castro received a silver medal and P10,000. Her school received a trophy and her trainer received P4,000.

Rebugio received a bronze medal and P7,500 while her school received a trophy and her trainer received P3,000.

The rest of the contestants received P2,000 and certificates of participation. They are Srishti Budhori of Cebu Doctor’s University, Danica Placios of University of Cebu, Jan Carlo Carpio of Southwestern University, Jomari Fernandez of University of San Jose-Recoletos, Martie De Castro of St. Theresa’s College, Romer Galdo of Cebu Eastern College, and Cyrone Cliere Gealon of University of the Visayas.

Now on its ninth year, the contest was held on January 13 at the Inday Pining Teatro at the main campus of the University of the Visayas.  — /PR (FREEMAN)