Port Moresby, PNG -- 16th of September is a red-letter day for Papua New Guinea. This year is the 41st Independence Day of this biggest country in Melanesia also known as “The Land of the Unexpected.” Though it is a public holiday, the Bosconians, staff and Salesians of Don Bosco Technical School in Gabutu gathered to celebrate the event. Everyone came either with their PNG shirts, caps, or traditional bilas. This school celebration of the country’s 41st Independence Day was a fitting conclusion of DBTS’ Social Science Week which began on Monday, 12 September. During the week, the Social Science teachers have been preparing and showing presentations about PNG’s history and economy. All these climaxed in the Cultural Variety Show.
The day began at the PCTA Park with the parade of the National and the Provincial Flags. Gilbert Oii, the School Captain was tasked to raise the National Flag. Another student raised the School flag alongside the National Flag. Each of the “tumbuna man” representing the 22 provinces hoisted the Provincial flags while everybody sang the National Anthem. Also dressed in his traditional Sepik bilas, Mr. Roger Yapis, the Master of Ceremonies, led the assembly in the recitation of the National Pledge. Then everyone proceeded to the the Kurongku Hall for the Cultural Variety Show.
In his Opening Remarks, Fr. Angel Sanchez SDB, the Principal of DBTS invited everybody to “look beyond the dancing and the singing, and to see something more than the colours and the music.” Quoting the lyrics of the National Anthem, he exhorted the assembly to “arise” to “sing of our joy to be free, praising God and rejoicing to be Papua New Guinea.” He also reminded the Bosconians of the values clearly put forward in the National Pledge namely, “justice, equality, respect, and prosperity for our people.”
After this brief message, each of the “tumbuna man” went up the stage to showcase their traditional bilas. As this was also a contest, Mrs. Donabel Cordova-Homingu, Mr. Juf Ian Zuasula and Mr. Silas Kombeo acted as judges. The “tumbuna man” of Western Highlands won the First Place, Central/Goilala was the Second, and Southern Highlands came Third. Aside from the ribbon, cash prizes were given to the winners.
The Cultural Variety Show will not be complete without the much awaited songs and dances. Bosconians were grouped according to Regions: New Guinea Islands, Momase, Highlands, and Southern. Each entertained everyone with their contemporary music. Others made use of the traditional instruments like the “kundu” or just the simple ukulele or guitar. Then came the groups that presented the traditional “singsing.” The Grade 12 delighted the crowd with the ever-lively Manus dance accompanied by several “garamut.” The Grade 11 came up with their “singsing” from the Gulf Province. The Grade 10 students presented a “singsing” from Central Province. The Grade 9 students dressed as Eastern Highlanders. As they danced, they also sang accompanied by the little sound created by the small piece of stick they rubbed with their hands. The ITC1 students, with their pronounced black and white face paint, gave everybody a taste of East Sepik culture through their “singsing.” The Short Term Course students formed another energetic group that entertained the assembly with their “singsing” from Milne Bay. As each group exited from the dance floor to the back of the Kurongku Hall, a cup of juice and a packet of biscuit were given as refreshment.
After all the presentations, the Rector of DBTS, Fr. Roger Miranda SDB, gave the Closing Remarks. He congratulated and thanked all those who have participated in and prepared the show. He also encouraged the Bosconians to be proud that they are Papua New Guineans.
A detail worth mentioning is that some staff members actually joined the students in their items. This made the show more special. Even the Salesians (the Rector, the Principal, and the Spiritual Moderator) were in their PNG shirts. More yet, two wore the highlands cap and another wore a traditional headdress from the Southern Region!
Despite the lack of time for the different groups to rehearse, the show turned out well. There was never a dull moment. Thanks to the collaboration and cooperation between the students and the staff. Patrick Lambooku, a Grade 9 student who sang with the NGI group said: “It was a memorable celebration. I enjoyed the celebration.” And when asked how long it took them to learn their song, he said, “We only practiced for two days.” Indeed, beautiful and wonderful things happen when there is participation and active involvement. After the event, a Grade 10 student remarked: “It was unforgettable. I was even teary-eyed especially at the end of the show. All the Salesians had beautiful bilas of PNG. Thank you for being part of our country.”
To wrap up the show, everybody was asked to stand proud and tall. All those who came with flags were requested to come to the stage. As the school band led the singing of the Unity Anthem, the voices of the Bosconians resounded in the Kurongku Hall: “From the mountains to the coasts, bai yumi stap wantaim. From the islands to the highlands, bai yumi bung wantaim. Because in diversity we are unified. South Pacific Melanesians. We are Papua New Guinea.” With all the different flags being waved to the tune of the Unity Anthem, one can sense a certain pride in being a citizen of this great nation. It was truly a meaningful and memorable celebration. God bless Papua New Guinea!
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