KOKOPO (East New Britain) -- Four secondary schools in East New Britain Province namely Kokopo Secondary School, Malabunga Secondary School, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart ( OLSH ) Secondary School, and Vunabosco Agro-Technical Secondary School joined together for the GLORIA 2011 Christmas Program held at Vunabosco gymnasium. Fr. Clifford Morais, SDB, principal of Vunabosco, spearheaded this program with the aim of uniting and leading students and schools to build the Church of Christ.
The program was formally opened by Fr. Valeriano Barbero, SDB. In his welcome address, Fr. Val stressed the need to have this kind of affair as it brings us closer to Jesus and to His mission of proclaiming the gospel through the different performances that depict the essence of Christmas in this modern age.
This event showcased various talents of students from these schools through the Christmas Carol Competition, Novelty Dance Contest, Battle of the Bands, and Christmas Drama Competition. The audience saw spectacles from each presentation as each school managed to come up with different glittering Christmas costumes and props.
The different contest items wowed the crowd as it truly brought out what GLORIA 2011 was all about – a glorious Christmas treat. Meanwhile, a life-size statue of Santa Claus added glitter to the occasion that captured the attention and admiration of teachers and students of the participating schools since it was dressed up with real-life Santa Claus costume.
OLSH Secondary School won the grand prize in the Christmas Carol and Christmas Drama Competition while Vunabosco Agro-Technical Secondary School got the most coveted awards in the Novelty Dance and Battle of the Bands Competition. Winners and non-winners received Coca-Cola gift items from Coca-Cola Amatil plus trophies courtesy of Vunabosco Administration.
“This kind of gathering of schools initiated by Vunabosco is such a rewarding and beautiful experience because this helps to attain the maximum potentials of students in the field of arts and music,” said Mrs. Eleonora Vigil, principal of OLSH.
Furthermore, Mr. John Lote, Coca-Cola Marketing Co-ordinator, NGI, mentioned in his closing remarks that this kind of activity should be made an annual event because it builds students’ confidence, and social interaction among students of other schools.
This fun-filled event was made possible through the joint effort of Vunabosco headed by its Rector, Fr. Roger Miranda, SDB, in cooperation with the Principals of the participating schools and its major sponsor, Coca-Cola Amatil.
Vunabosco Agro-Technical Secondary School extends the aim of GLORIA 2011 to the business houses and schools around Kokopo area, religious of Vunapope Parish as well as to the sick people in the hospitals and to the Filipino community through the singing of Christmas Carols and Christmas wishes.