Eight secondary schools from the city and Benguet are vying to be the composer of Saleng Festival’s official theme song.
The Madaymen National High School choir in Kibungan, Benguet signified intention to sing Chaz Katalbas’ environmental-themed original composition.
Immaculate Conception School choir of Bokod, Benguet will also sing Katalbas’ song and their original composition in the competition.
These performances will be on May 26, 1 p.m. at the Rose Garden, Burnham Park.
City Environment and Parks Management Office Head Rhenan Diwas was elated to note that far-flung schools joined the choral contest.
He said any of the competing schools may use indigenous musical instruments as accompaniment or integrate the local dialects in their original song.
Choir contest participant and confirmation committee head Bernadette Pagteilan of Cepmo said the two schools joined Easter College that beat the deadline last April 28.
Other schools that joined are the Baguio City National High School, Pines City National High School, Philippine Science High School-Cordillera, Rizal National High School, and Berkeley School.
Prizes are P50,000 for the first prize winner; P30,000 for the second prize winner; and P20,000 for the third prize winner. All participants will receive consolation prizes.
For this year, the third edition of the Saleng/Pine Tree Festival is entitled “Rhythm and Harmony of Nature.”
The Saleng or Pine Tree Festival was institutionalized with Mayor Benjamin Magalong signing the ordinance declaring the conduct of the activity in Jan. 2022 for public and private partnership for environmental preservation and protection.
Other activities include regreening, tree cart parade, re-cognition and exhi-bits, international day for diversity, World Environment Day, green thumb award day, fun run, and cycling.
An integral acti-vity for the Saleng Festival, tree planting commences in June, according to Cepmo Forester Floro Bastian.
He said interested groups of tree planters may schedule with Cepmo the areas to be planted and number of free seedlings from the city nurseries. – Julie G. Fianza
