Eight Baguio-Benguet schools join the Saleng Environmental Song Contest

Eight secondary schools from across the city and Benguet’s scenic mountainous landscapes, picturesque falls and water bodies, vie to be the composer of Saleng festival’s official theme song.

Located 62 kilometers away from Baguio City, the Madaymen National High School choir in Kibungan, Benguet signified intention to sing Chaz Katalbas’ environmental-themed song and an original composition.

Immaculate Conception School choir of Bokod, Benguet, 46 kilometers away through land travel shall also sing Katalbas’ song and their original composition in the competition, on May 26 1PM at the Rose Garden, Burnham Park.

City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) head Atty. Rhenan Diwas was elated to note that far-flung schools joined the choral contest. He said that any of the competing schools may use indigenous musical instruments as accompaniment; or integrate the local dialects in their original song.

With this, environmental endeavours not only interplay with music, but with culture too.

According to the choir contest participant and confirmation committee head Bernadette Pagteilan of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), the two schools joined Easter College to beat the deadline last April 28.

Other schools who joined are; Baguio City National High School (BCNHS); Pines City National High School (PCNHS); Philippine Science High School – Cordillera Campus; Rizal National High School and Berkeley School.

The prizes at stake are, Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) for first prize, P30,000 and P20,000 for second and third prizes; with consolation prizes for all participants.

For this year, the third edition of the Saleng/Pine Tree festival is entitled “Rhythm and Harmony of Nature.”

The Saleng or Pine tree festival was institutionalized with Mayor Benjamin Magalong formally signing the ordinance in Jan. 2022; for public and private partnership for environmental preservation and protection. Celebratory activities include regreening, tree cart parade, recognition and exhibits, international day for diversity, world environment day, green thumb award day, fun run and cycling.

An integral activity for the saleng festival, tree planting commences in June, according to CEPMO Forester Floro Bastian.

Interested groups of tree planters may schedule with CEPMO for areas to be planted and number of free seedlings from the city nurseries, he said. – JGFianza