TACLOBAN CITY – San Jose Central School in Tacloban City and Cathedral School of La Naval in Naval, Biliran province, emerged as the top winners in this year’s Banda Rayhak Competition, organized by the Pintados Foundation Inc.
San Jose Central School was crowned grand champion in the junior category, besting five other entries, while the Cathedral School of La Naval took the top spot in the senior division, outshining eight other competitors in the regional inter-school marching band competition.
The San Jose Central School marching band also swept several special awards, including Best Conductor, Best Mallet Section, and Best Pit Section.
Caibaan Elementary School secured second place and received the Best in Uniform award, while Kapangian Central School finished third, winning three special awards: Best Drumline, Best Baton Section, and Best Majorette.
In fourth place was Cogon Elementary School, while Ridgeview Elementary School finished fifth and won the Best Pintados Theme award.
In the senior division, Cathedral School of La Naval not only claimed the championship title but also received the Best Conductor and Best Drumline awards.
Samar National School, which placed second, also received the Best Mallet Section award, while Calbayog National High School, the third-place winner, bagged the Best Color Guards Section, Best Baton Section, and Best Band Majorette awards.
Biliran Province State University (BIPSU) Naval ranked fourth and won the Best Pit Section award, while Tolosa National High School placed fifth and took home the Best in Uniform award. Dulag National High School received the Best Pintados Theme award.
The Banda Rayhak Competition, held at the MacArthur National Park,is an annual inter-school marching band competition held every October 20, as part of the commemoration of the Leyte Gulf Landing.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
