NAMCYA: A Treasured Experience

As I watch the sea while we were sailing, the waves look fun and almost innocent as they crest and crash over one another. I can taste the salt in the air and I can see those towering buildings as we were almost there. I can imagine how that place looks like and how it is packed with people. I think to myself, “This would be fun”.

December 2005, a chorale group composed of 30 students from Bayugan National Comprehensive High School (BNCHS), Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur smugly represented the CARAGA region for the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Manila. By chance, I was one of them. I was really lucky to be chosen to the fact that I’m still a freshman in that school. Preparations were not easy for us. We rehearsed day and night before the competition. Sweat run down our faces and into our mouths. Our legs slowly became numb as we need to stand for about an hour without any extra movements. I can see that my choir mates were exhausted; some were muffled and got husky voices. But that hard-work turned into smiles as our teachers served as mouthwatering foods in every meal we had.

As we stepped at the port, everyone was animated and stirred up. All of us were expecting that this would be a great experience. We stayed in a public school for about one week as our temporary home. I was surprised that numerous students were already in the school at 5 o’clock in the morning. The day of the verdict had come. It started like any other, quiet, but with underlying vibration waiting to explode. As we were riding the bus to the venue, I perceived the heavy road traffic that made me to be giddy, busy people earning for money and the polluted air from factories and vehicles. We arrived at the CCP with mixed feelings. As we cross the threshold, all of us were uneasy. We went to the backstage, we were all standing trying to relax, discussing on things we need to focus and praying to God that He will guide us. Even though were all tense, as the call came over on our school, we gave the best shot we could give. There were really many astounding performances and we already know that we should accept whatever the result is. Unfortunately, we did not win the competition. Still, we’re very happy knowing that we had given our best.

I realized how physically tired I am but enjoyed our stay there. Only memories were left in my mind, and I cherish every single of them. I am ready to go home.