19/11/2023
[FEATURE]
Building Bridges for Global Unity: Mr. and Ms. United Nations 2023
By Arianne Danielle S. Macarulay
Last November 9, 2023, the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Club conducted the Mr. and Ms. United Nations 2023 in Eulogio Amang Rodriquez Tanghalang Sining at 1 in the afternoon, with the theme “Muling Pagbuo ng Tiwala at Pag-Hariin ang Paninindigang Pagkakaisa."
Before the main event in the afternoon, the day started with a parade at 7 in the morning, wherein the students cheered proudly and held their respective country flags as they went around the school. This was then followed by the Food Festival at 10 a.m., wherein the judges, Dr. Xenia B. Canale, Dr. Rommel R. Castro, Prof. Rosalie F. De Lemon, Prof. Raquel F. Llaneta, and Prof. Arlene Mae C. Arceo, went to the different sections from Grades 7–10 that represented their respective countries by decorating their classrooms and serving delicious delicacies that corresponded with their respective countries.
Moving on to the main event, it was led by the President of UNESCO Club '23, Carla Andilene M. Alfonso, and the Internal Vice President, Atasha Nicole A. Estrabo. The program started with opening remarks given by Prof. Rosalie De Lemon, Principal of Laboratory Schools, which were then followed by Josiah Marcus Miguel V. Trinidad, the treasurer of UNESCO Club '23, who introduced the UNESCO Club’s members. Afterward, the judges who will be attending the event were introduced by Naomi Zhen R. Francisco, Executive Secretary of UNESCO Club ’23. The judges who attended were: Prof. Jeremias U. Rivera, Mr. Erdric D.C. San Antonio, and Ms. Pia Rose M. Bendaña. Then, Mariae Rishie Mei G. Dela Vega, External Vice President of UNESCO Club ’23, explained how the candidates would be judged.
Before the contest started, an intermission number was performed by Treycie Aude ES. Buen, who showed her skills in ballet dancing, which hyped the audience because of how she was able to do the dance stunts smoothly even at a young age. Then, Lourielle Ainsley T. Valdez and Mary Dwin A. Logdat also performed by singing a song called “Paninindigan Kita” by Ben & Ben, which the audience enjoyed listening to.
The contest started with a catwalk done by the candidates for Mr. and Ms. United Nations 2023. The students who were assigned to their respective countries cheered as their representatives made their elegant catwalk on stage. The catwalk was followed by Intermission Number entries by the Music and Dance Club, who showed their lively and energetic dances as they used the songs “Seven” by Jungkook and “Rude Boy” by Rihanna. After their dance, Arianne Danielle S. Macarulay and Kate D.L. Verano also performed by singing “Long Live” by Taylor Swift, while Arianne was also playing her keyboard piano.
After the song, the contest proceeded to the National Costume Portion, wherein the candidates showed their suits that represented their respective countries. The section of 7-Faith represented Argentina, 7-Love for Spain, Mexico by 8-Honesty, and Brazil by 8-Integrity. 9-Diligence represented Australia, 9-Obedience for Egypt, 10-Humility for the Philippines, and 10-Patience for Germany. After the National Costume, the candidates showed their talents in the Talent Portion, wherein they performed their prepared dances along with some backup dancers with them. As each candidate performed their dances, you could hear the proud cheers coming from the audience as they showed their full support. After the Talent Portion, the program proceeded to the last portion of the contest which was the Question-and-Answer portion, wherein the candidates would answer the questions given by the judges. The questions were related to the event's theme. This portion showed how the candidates gave their own impressive answers, which indeed left the audience amazed.
After the QandA, the event proceeded to the last intermission number entry, which was performed by the UNESCO Club members, wherein they showed a wonderful dance performance that left the audience astonished. Afterward, the certificates and sashes were given to the candidates who won the different awards.
After the awarding, the event ended with the closing remarks by Prof. Raquel F. Llaneta, adviser of the UNESCO Club. She stated, “Thank you very much for all the efforts you have given. No matter what the outcome is, always remember that you are all winners for me.”