US-based group bares 2010 ortorical contest

SAN Francisco, California – The Balintl, Inc. an international organization of former Balingasag residents now living in the United States, Canada and Europe announces the holding of its third annual oratorical contest to be held sometime in the school year of 2010-2011 in Balingasag Misamis Oriental.

  Mrs. Nora Varquez Kabasares, Balintl president, said that the association’s Board of Directors has unanimalously approved the continuance of the project after two consecutive years of its successful staging held in February, 2008 and July , 2009 respectively in the municipality of Balingasag.

  Mrs. Kabasares said that the contest is designed to promote a high level of communication skills and encourage free responsible expression.

  It also serves as a training ground for youth participation in positive discussion of issues and ideas affecting their lives and that of the community.

  Balintl is the donor organization of the Balingasag Municipal Library building. The theme of oratorical contest is: “Community Development of Balingasag: For Peace and Progress.”

  Mrs. Kabasares, who resides in San Francisco, California, said that “now is the time to speak out for peace and progress in these part of the country.

  The Balintl president is the daughter of the late Balingasag mayor Manuel Varquez, Sr., and Consejo Pabelonio Varquez.

  Mrs. Kabasres is past president of the Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California. She is registered parliamentarian in the US.

  She has attended the University of the Philippines, the Philippine Women’s University, De Paul University in the Chicago, Illinois, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California and Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Guadajara, Mexico. She is a sought after lecturer in community health and parliamentary rules. She is Married to  lawyer-journalist Cris D. Cabasares

  The second annual oratorical contest which was held at the Balingasag Elementary School on July 21, 2009 was another successful event. Seven out of eight public and private high schools in the town participated in the event.

  The winners were: Kristly Bern Ponferrada of St. Rita’s College High School, first prize, she received P20,000 donated by Charitat and Aldrina Pabelonio. James Edward S. Echeveria of Misamis Oriental Institute of Science and Technology won the second prize of 15,000 donated by Cora and Bagongon Tan.

  Rashe Mae Gomez of San Isidro National High School copped the third prize of P10,000 each were donated by Betty Pabelonio Caesar.

  The event was held in coordination with the Balingasag municipal government represented by Kagawad Teresito Paclar, chairman of the education committee of the Municipal Council.

  In the first annual contest held on February 8, 2008 the winners were: mark Don Daguimol of San Isidro National High School, first prize winner; Mar Eloweh O. Echeveria of Misamis Oriental Institute of Science and Technology, second prize winner; Kirby A. Beleta of St. Ritas College High School, third prize winner.

  Mrs. Kabasares said that the contest has gained popular support and acceptance from the community and high school faculty staffs for its new concept behind the prizes. For each major prize, 50 percent

goes to the contestant and the other 50 per cent goes to the school sponsor. In this concept, Balintl helps both the student and the school.