QUEZON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS GUILD (QNHS PAG) …where stars shine brightest! by: Cristeta Obcemea Asilo, Ed.D. Adviser

Spread the wings of change over the grooves of Quezon National High School (formerly QPHS) has been the works of the QNHS Administrative Staff in which Principal IV Emilio S. Ulpindo spearheads. The intense commitment to extend service to the students of QNHS has been distinctively shown by the QNHS Alumni Foundation through the initiative of former Dramatics Club (now QNHS PAG) actress Zenaida L. De Asis and the Samahan ng mga Magulang at Guro (SAMAGU) President Tessa P. Ong.

 The spark of enthusiasm of GMA-7 Radio Programs Director Butz Gonzales brings in the three-day open auditions for the performing arts in August 26 and September 12, 2006 at the QNHS Alumni Hall. Assistance is sought from Mrs. Estela Manila, Raddy Barradas, Atty. Bella Amilhasan, Presidents Tessa Ong and Zenaida De Asis to serve as members of the Talent Screening Committee. Choosing 105 from among the 259 applicants comes no easy task.

 Hence, the 105 chosen are very fortunate to be under the tutelage of Dr. Arthur Cassanova, Frank Rivera, Butz Gonzales, Perry Dizon and Bong Embile. Those qualified came from the first to the fourth year level with a handful from the different existing pre-dominant cultural organizations of QNHS such as the Quesinhayaw, Glee Club, Rondalla and Art Club. Many of the 105 brave souls continued to keep the flames of the Dramatics Club burning while others gave a cold shoulder.

 The innate commitment, diligence, patience which has been shown by the neophytes and mentors is the nursery where the QNHS Performing Arts Guild was born. The tormentous rain, heavy flood and the lashing wind of Typhoon Milenyo lessen not the spirit-de-corps of these young bloods to have the First Integrated Workshop on November 10, 11 and 12, 2006 under the worn-out roofs of the QNHS Alumni Hall. The art mentors themselves cleaned and dried the venue with all the newspapers at hand.

 Students learn at different rates and ways up to the final casting for “Wanted: A Chaperon” (a short play by the renowned statesman Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero) is done by Butz Gonzales at the QNHS DOST Building on November 26, 2006 which paved the way to the recognition of 33 students from the 105. The very busy schedule of Mr. Gonzales paved the way to pass the torch of responsibility to the present QNHS PAG adviser and handle the pre and post production as well as the actual presentation. The play was staged from March 7-9, 2007 respectively, having six shows a day at P 5.00 per ticket in cooperation with the QNHS Values Education Department.

 The QNHS PAG became a formal organization in June 2007. An election of the Directorate opened the gates for blue printing the vision, mission and objectives as well as formulating the list of activities to be undertaken for the whole school year. A Constitution and By-Laws was drafted and the Pergola near the QNHS Multipurpose Cooperative became its initial refuge. Weekly (Saturday) whole-day meetings were conducted and became the training grounds for skills instruction, arts crafting, health and wellness promotion and environment protection advocacy.

QNHS PAG pioneered in redefining the application process of the cultural organizations in the campus with the introduction of the PAG Sig Sheet (Signature Sheet), First and Final Interview, Costume Day and Acceptance Ceremonies. The organization holds an annual PAG Olympics Day and a mini-symposium dubbed as I.D.s (Intellectual Discussions). It also circulates a quarterly literary publication, the C-PAG (Compilation of PAG articles or “sipag” as pronounced in the vernacular) where the members have a sanctuary to express their thoughts and feelings thru literary skills which is also the goal of introducing the PAG Logbook (a diary of sorts, if you will).

 “PAGsters” (coined by the members themselves) have come up with their own script for “Wanted: A Chaperon” (a follow-up cum sequel) and that staging their creation on October 8, 9 and 10, 2007 (with 3-4 shows a day) lays the foundation to enhance further their acting potentials and level up creative writing prowess. The growing self-reliance, self-awareness and self-confidence among the PAGsters inspire them to handle the publicity of their endeavor which included the distribution of flyers, putting up of posters and teasers and installation of ticket booths. Moreover, the QNHS Values Education Department continuously cooperates in the selling of tickets.

 Another dose of integrated workshop training pushed thru in cooperation with concerned individuals of QNHS PAG under the helm of Lenny Santos, Bong Embile and Gigi Pirote. Yet still followed was another round of acting, dancing and singing lessons from Bong Embile, Gigi Pirote and Dang Cecilio.

 A show of creativity and resilience was displayed by the PAGsters as they put up a Marriage Booth in celebration of the QNHS Foundation Week and constructed a Jeepney-shaped lantern with inscriptions “Biyaheng QNHS”. They also performed a street dance production number in relation hereto.  

 Dr. Asilo, as promised took the PAGsters to Metro Manila in December as part of RnR (rest and recreation) by touring them to Ayala Museum, Glorietta and SM Mega Malls and later witnessed the centennial kick-off and annually awaited University of the Philippines Lantern Parade.

 Oriented in the service to fellow students, the QNHS PAG have produced two mini-presentations held at the covered courts of Lucena West III Elementary School and Hinguiwin National High School (Padre Burgos) as culminating activity of the Integrated Basic Workshop by the PAGsters themselves inspired with the themes: “Ang Super Hero na Ako” and “Alay Sa Kalikasan” on August and July of 2008 respectively.

 Highlight of the PAGster experience was the viewing of Dulaang UP’s “Isang Panaginip na Fili” where they had the chance to mingle and interact with the cast and staff of the production, most especially with the fabulous Floy Quintos, director.

 This year, the QNHS PAG intends to brass a Herculean task by staging Rogers and Hammerstein’s Academy awarded “The Sound of Music” as its annual presentation by February 2009. Preparations are still on the works and the musical itself marks another milestone in the annals of history of QNHS.

 Since 2006, the QNHS Performing Arts Guild has been the effective and efficient vehicle in promoting individualism, self and art expressionism, cultural advancement and intellectual masturbation, more so, selfless service and cooperativism under the wings of Dr. Cristeta O. Asilo, a teacher in Filipino, assisted by QNHS PAG alumni: Jonathan Reyes, Mark Angelo Abadilla, Qeen Xerxes Hita, Alster Mara Uy, Syrine Apostol and QNHS alumnus Julmar Asilo whose invaluable contribution is beyond reproach. It is through the QNHS PAG that campus personalities (in their own rights, during their high school stint) such as Jonathan, Angelo and Qeen enjoy taking up Bachelor of Arts in Education in Science, English and Math respectively as hard-working student assistants, scholar-achievers and model image.

True to the adage: “behind the clouds is a silver lining”, in just a span of two years, amidst all the intrigues, grudges and the intimidations hurdled upon QNHS PAG, it has found gold and will zealously prove to always be worth its salt.