‘IT’S A MIRACLE’ JPIA reaps Karakol 2018 title

CAVITE CITY—After a series of practices, labor on production designs, and sweat-extracting and grinding performance on “kalye” and gymnasium, the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) dominated this year’s Karakol Festival, emerging victorious in two categories while emphasizing God’s role in their triumph. In his statement, JPIA President Russel Rodelas tagged their earned title namely the champion and the Best in “Karakol sa Kalye” as a ‘miracle’ that came from the ‘grace of God’ as he and the other senior members found success in bringing life and enthusiasm to the organization. “It’s a miracle! Kami bilang fouth year [students], bilang officers, [ako] bilang presidente, aim naming ibalik ulit ‘yung sigla ng JPIA. Miracle talaga siya kasi every time na nagpe-pray kami, ‘di namin ine-expect na mananalo kami. This time diba, by God’s grace, nanalo, in Jesus’ name,” Rodelas said. In addition, the Recoletos Educational Assistance for Deserving Students (READS) group took home the Best in Production Design and 1st runner-up award while the Junior Financial Executives (JFINEX) got the 2nd runner-up title. This year’s Feast of Saints’ highlight event showcased churches in Cavite that were founded and supervised by the Augustinian Recollects from which the Junior Philippine Computer Society (JPCS) portrayed Saint Joseph the Worker Parish at Bailen (now General Emilio Aguinaldo), Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Maragondon exhibited through the performance of Junior Financial Executives (JFINEX), Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Rosario showcased by the Federation of Organized Council of Engineering Students (FORCES), the College of Sciences, Arts and Nursing (CASN) instilled the influence of San Roque Church of Cavite City in their presentation, Our Lady of Candelaria Church for JPIA, Saint Michael the Archangel Parish portrayed by the Senior High School Department, San Pedro Apostol in Cavite City was showcased by the Junior High School, while the Recoletos Educational Assistance for Deserving Students (READS) group performed in line with the concept of Immaculate Conception Parish of Dasmariñas, Cavite. For the first time, the SSC-RdC’s Karakol Festival has featured the interschool competition which brought in the presence of the Cavite National High School and Saint Mary Magdalene School from Kawit wherein the former topped the contest, bringing home the championship, Best in Production Design and Best in Karakol sa Kalye titles while the latter reaped the runner-up award. The event was held at the San Sebastian College-Recoletos de Cavite, Cañacao Campus which accommodated the whole Sebastinian community as well as the guest performers, judges, and other visitors. Meanwhile, the fruitful result of the contest has complemented their daily practice of routines as well as the heavy expectations and high standards that the audience have for their squad which are uplifted and delighted to be on their unique curriculum, said a Cavite National High School—Special Program for the Arts adviser. “SPA kasi kami kaya everyday [ang] practice [namin para sa Karakol competition]. Super saya at nakaka-proud [na manalo]. Nasa special program for the arts kasi sila kaya mataas ang standard at expectation sa kanila ng tao.[Sila ay] honored and proud na nasa SPA sila,” Mr. Louie Salvador said. Salvador added that this year’s Karakol tilt has a fired up intensity due to the evolved and developed effort coming from various organizations compared to the past years. “’Yung intense ng competition nag-level up din kasi n’ung nag compete ako dati riyan, mataas na ang competition. Kahapon, na-feel ko na mas tumaas ang level ng eagerness ng bawat organization,” he emphasized.

Article by Erin Grace Pallerna

Photos by Erin Grace Pallerna and Rochelle Flores