For four consecutive years, Enverga Candelaria Rondalla continuously excelled to reach the final round of the National Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and garnered awards. This year was no exception as the EU pride once again qualified as a Finalist in the Rondalla Group Junior Category announced by the facilitating committee on Oct. 8.
In the previous years, the Rondalla group has already obtained two finalist slots, one in Solo Rondalla (2018), and in 2019, where they placed third in the Rondalla Group Category. In 2020, they had four Solo Rondalla winners with one attaining first place. Now, the team is on track to bring home another title. “We would like to keep our winning streak,” shared Jerome Quejano, the Enverga Candelaria Rondalla instructor.
Despite the changes in setting and setbacks caused by the pandemic, the 19 members of the Rondalla group were able to push through both the auditions and semi-final stages. Their take on classical and modern compositions gave them an edge to proceed to the finals. Unfortunately, their two Soloists, Jilliana Lyzel Felizco and Hannah Rose Tolentino came short of gaining a spot in the finals.
Phasing off the face-to-face option for the competition, the EU Rondalla ensemble is required to submit their entries in a video format. In line with this and the protocols set by the new normal, the group was burdened to have a mixed schedule of practices alternated in video tutorials arranged by their instructors and head-on group practices regulated by strict health protocols.
Quejano assured that their preparations for the finals were not slowed down by the situation and guaranteed that their team would make every allotted time for the rehearsal count before their final performance on November 18. Also, he added that everything was made possible by the support of their school and the parents of their performers.
They will be competing against Aniweng na Cuerdas Rondalla of Mangatarem National High School and South Cotabato Family Rondalla. Subsequently, winners will be announced on the latter days of the week-long event which will be aired virtually on the NAMCYA official Facebook page.
