Quezon school’s drum corps sets sights on Thailand world championships

MANILA, Philippines — Despite facing many challenges, the Philippines’ lone contender for the Thailand World Music Championships is determined to showcase the fruit of their hard work and dreams.

Tagkawayan Central Elementary School Drum and Lyre Corps is not new to joining competitions, but it is their first time joining the international music band scene. The band, composed of participants as young as eight years old, is no amateur in waving colorful flags and feeling the rhythm of their instruments.

Preparing for the championships in December is not an easy journey as competing abroad as a large group requires a huge amount of funds and a long period of training, in which the teachers and parents lend their support to help make the children’s dreams come true.

Road to Thailand

Before qualifying for the international competition, Tagkawayan Central Elementary School joined and won a series of competitions within their province and nationwide. After winning in the Kaway Festival, congressional and regional meets, and Palarong Quezon, the band won first runner-up in the qualifiers for the nationals.

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This earned the band a ticket to the international competition. In an interview with INQUIRER.net, band coordinator and adviser Liberty Valderrama said they got an invitation from the Philippine Drum and Lyre Associate Inc. (PDLAI) to compete in Thailand. The band coordinator also noted that to compete internationally, one must be a member of the PDLAI first.

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Thailand World Music Championships was first held in 2010 among Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Hong Kong delegates.

Valderrama said that the champion in the international competition already secured their seat for a Malaysian competition before they got the invite from Thailand.

She said that the group, composed of 47 participants, will be competing in the categories of the drumline, color guard battle, marching street parade, percussion, and color guard ensemble. The drum and lyre corps is set to compete in Thailand from December 18 to 21, 2024.

Furthermore, Thelma Manalo, the principal of Tagkawayan Central Elementary School, in an interview with INQUIRER.net shared the status of the preparation of the band after they received the invitation from PDLAI.

“So far, ang masasabi kong status ng aming preparation ay nasa 20 to 30 percent. Hindi naman madali ‘yong ginagawa naming preparation dahil unang-una, may challenge kami financially, may challenge din po kami sa pagbabalanse ng academics ng batang sasali at saka po sa pag-aaral,” said Manalo.

(So far, the status of our preparation is at 20 to 30 percent. What we’re doing is not easy because we are financially challenged and we also face challenges in balancing the academics of the children who are participating.)

Band training happens after class hours until 7 p.m. and during weekends. Manalo also emphasized the importance of prioritizing the children’s studies.

“So kailangan na hindi po namin maisasakripsyo ‘yong academics nila para sa pag-enhance ng kanilang skills towards the competition,” she added.

(So their studies should not be sacrificed in enhancing their skills towards the competition.)

Furthermore, Valderrama admitted that they struggled at the start of their preparations. They had to consider where they would get funds and how they would get approval from the parents.

“Actually sa mga bata, given na ‘yong galing nila… ‘Yong mga magulang ang tinanong namin if they’ll pursue at iaabot pa rin po namin ito in the high level kasi nanalo na kami sa national,” Valderrama said.

(Actually, the children’s skills and abilities are already a given… We asked the parents if they would continue pursuing it and if we would still reach the higher level since we have already won at the national level.)

Manalo shared that the parents have been “very supportive” of their children as they are the ones who shouldered the trainer’s fee worth P500,000. Aside from the trainer’s fee, the participants would need P1.5 million to fund the airfare, accommodations, and instruments they will use in the competition.

As they highlight the financial struggles they are facing, Manalo said that they are already in the fundraising stage, in which they have reached 10 percent of the total amount target. They also solicit funds from local business persons in their area and seek sponsorships.

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The school principal added that they are scheduled to visit the Senate next Tuesday to lobby for funds. When asked about the possible outcome of the visit, Manalo said that she was hoping that the visit would yield positive results.

“Maganda maging positive lagi para positive yung result although napakalayo ng Tagkawayan sa Senado, pero ‘di po ako nawawalan ng pag-asa na makukuha namin ang target,” Manalo said.

(It is good to be positive so the results will also be positive although Tagkawayan is very far from the Senate, but I am not losing hope that we will achieve our target.)

The participants’ parents also sought financial assistance from their local government unit, which their mayor promised to provide them with the help they need.

Aside from the main concern with funds, Manalo shared that their instruments are overused and already need an upgrade.

“May organization po ‘yong parents ng banda. Sila yung nagcacanvass ng klase ng gamit para mas maganda ‘yong resulta ng competition kung maganda yung tunog. Pera pa rin ‘yong problema,” she added.

(The parents of the children in the band have an organization. They are the ones canvassing what kind of instruments to use because the results of the competition would be better if the instruments were of good quality. Money is still a problem.)

Although the school has space for training, the school principal said that the children are also in need of a bigger training venue. They sometimes borrow training spaces from other organizations.

Fighting for their dreams

Valderrama, who has been the band adviser for 10 years, underscored the importance of teamwork and perseverance to overcome their struggles.

“‘Yong connection po namin, kami pong tatlo. Trainers, teachers, and the parents — so doon po kami nagcocollab. Think positive po kami kung magawa lang namin ang pangarap ng mga bata and at the same time, pangarap din po naming lahat na makacompete internationally,” Valderrama said.

(Our connection involves the three of us: trainers, teachers, and parents. We collaborate closely on this. We remain positive and hopeful that we can achieve the children’s dreams, as well as our own dream of competing internationally.)

The band adviser also praised the support the parents have been giving their children from the start of their preparations.

“Sobrang laking tulong ng mga magulang, ‘yong kanilang perseverance at passion. Naniniwala rin po kasi sila sa galing ng kanilang mga anak kaya ganoon na lang din po kasupport ‘yong mga magulang,” she added.

(The parents are of big help, their perseverance and passion. They also believe in their children’s talent, which is why the parents are so supportive.)

Furthermore, Manalo expressed that they believe in the children’s abilities and talents as they have won several competitions and are now set to take on the international stage.

“They are at their best para isipin nila na kayang-kaya at hindi kami mahihiyang dalhin sila sa ibang bansa kung hindi sila ganun kagaling. Kinaya na nga po nila yung ibang lugar sa Pilipinas,” the school principal said.

(They are at their best to believe that they can succeed and that we won’t be embarrassed bringing them abroad if they weren’t that skilled. After all, they’ve already excelled in other places in the Philippines.)

“Inimbitahan po kami, ibig sabihin, may kakayanan sila. Kaya nilang makipagtunggali sa ibang bansa pa,” she added.

(They got invited, meaning, they have the capability to do so. They can compete abroad.)

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