RIYADH, 29 February 2004 — The Second Philippine International School (SPIS) in Riyadh and Riyadh International School (RIS) romped off with the championship trophies yesterday in the pep (cheering) squad and choral group competitions, respectively, at the Fantasy Land Resort in Thumamah here yesterday.
“The SPIS and RIS had more than skills and talents to prevail in pep squad and choral group competitions. They were also lucky,” said Dr. Muhammad Ali Carlito L. Astillero, area commander of the Order of the Knights of Rizal — Middle East and Africa Council.
In the pep squad, SPIS bagged the championship trophy after a strong showing against second placer EIS which showed lots of antics on the ground as well as in the air.
He added that the Elite International School (EIS) and Nour Al Maaref International School (NIS) squads were also good in the pep squad contest but not lucky enough.
“The SPIS squad won because its members had more coordination as if they had practiced, as it were, a million times. There seemed to be indubitable harmony in their movements,” said Rachel R. Galang, one of the judges who included Ron Jacobe and Dennis Llanes.
In the choral group competition, RIS took the championship diadem with Administrator Lyn Songcuya rooting out for her charges from the grandstand, with NIS and EIS winning first and second runners-up honors, respectively.
“Of course, there’s no substitute for victory but what mattered more were the friendship and camaraderie which bound the competing students,” Ms. Songcuya said.
NIS and EIS were awarded first and second runners-up honors, respectively, by the board of judges who included Virgie Ciocson, Ed Lilang, Vincent Gargaritano, and Rico Abad.
Bioux Manilum, OKOR-Riyadh Chapter commander, noted the zeal and enthusiasm of the participating students, extending his thanks to all and sundry who had pitched in for the success of the daylong event.
