'PROUD URAGON'

PROUD URAGON

(PATIRIBAYAN 2011 ZONAL ELIMINATION)

ORATORICAL PIECE

COBO INTEGRATED SCHOOL – JUDELINE ICARO

Original Composition of Efren O. Matienzo, Jr.

Are you gratified being referred to us ‘uragon’? Do you feel proud being noted as Bicolano?

My fellow bicolnon  -WE HAVE TO BE.

Members of the board of Judges, my worthy opponents, friends…

                                                                                                                                                                            

YES. We should be proud that we are a Bicolano.

What should we be proud of, anyway? Well, have you tried watching news featuring the well renowned Senator ChizEscudero? Have you known who Jose O. Vera is? And Leandro I. Verceles, Sr.?Have you witnessed the Miss Universe 2010 4^th Runner Up Venus Raj in her journey for the Miss Universe Crown? Or have you known where the World’s most perfect cone is? the first Rizal monument in the Philippines? the Guinness World Record ‘Sili King’ holder? the World’s largest fish? Or even the World’s smallest commercial fish?

It’s not only that, the CamsurWatersports Complex in Camarines Sur is the World’s best cable park. The Bulusan National Park was dubbed as “the Switzerland of the Orient”. The Leaning Tower of Bombon which is the exact replica of Leaning Tower of Pisa in Rome is in Camarines Sur.

Bicol Region is one of the Country’s top tourist destinations. A report of Department of Tourism have shown an increase of 12% in tourists revenue in Bicol. With total revenue of  P 414, 084, 420. 00 in the first quarter of this year.  The region have recorded a tourist arrival of 685, 757, of this are 528, 699 domestic tourists and 157, 058 foreign. This is a big contribution to the Annual 2. 28 Billion Dollar tourist revenue of the Philippines.

You would argue with me that Bicol is the country’s most beautiful region. Aside from its undeniably beautiful sceneries, the region manifests a mixture of dynamic culture, resilient and religious people, and literate workforce. To which you could compare the Ibalong Festival? theCatandungan Festival? The Tabak and Magayon Festival of Albay?Andthe Pineapple Festival of Camarines Norte.

The region is now accessible by all means of transportation.Air, Road, Rail and Sea.The Region also prides itself of having a literacy rate of 96%, schools and universities at par with those in Manila.  The region is a major supplier of Geothermal Energy with its Tiwi and Bacon-Manito Geothermal Plants. A wide selection of places for conferences, conventions and trainings are also available.  In terms of Telecommunications, the region’s network is consist of wired and wireless communications. Communication lines with the latest technology had been installed throughout the region.

My fellow Bicolnon these are the things that we should be proud of.

At this point, let me ask you, what have we done to contribute to all of these?

Have we stood before a group to correct any misconception about Bicol region? Or have we tried our best to explain to a friend or to other people whenever they solicit for information about Bicol region? Have we willfully joined in activities in our locality that promotes our diverse culture? In an internet blogs and sites to help promote our unique practices? Or have you treated tourists that comes in our locality cordially? Or have you tried visiting some of our tourist spots? Have you ever tried to study well for a dream to be a Bicol’s pride someday?

If you have, then you are doing your part.

These actions may sound simple but these will make up for a big impact. If we will become all responsible enough to do those things, Our dreamed Bicolandia will be materialized.

Don’t just be witnesses of all of these! Be involved!

If you’re not, it’s never too late. You can start it happening…..TODAY!

“Kaya ‘ta, Ta Uragon Kita!”