CIT-U student bags ASEAN oratorical title

A working student from Cebu Institute of Technology -University (CIT-U) bagged first place in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Oratorical Contest yesterday.

Ten students from different colleges and universities joined the contest, with 23-year-old Eri Shekinah Yashino, a senior Mass Communication student, emerging as the winner.

Yashino said she was glad that her hard work paid off.

She said her journey was a grueling one, as she had to juggle her oratorical rehearsals with her work and studies. Yashino works as a call center agent.

"It's very hard for me as a working student. In fact, I only get three hours of sleep each day," she said.

But it did not stop her from rising above her circumstances.

Yashino captivated the attention of the spectators with her vibrant oratorical skills as she talked about this year's theme "What is ASEAN and how will it benefit me?"

Her speech revolved around the privileges, benefits and opportunities a millennial like her gets and enjoys because of ASEAN, as well as the growth, progress and unity among the ASEAN countries.

In particular, she mentioned ASEAN's aims to refute the taxes incurred among its member countries and to lobby for decrease in prices of imported goods and products, making them affordable and accessible to people, especially students like her.

She also said more people and students have been given opportunities to travel abroad because of the agreement entered into by the southeast Asian countries.

The ASEAN countries allow their citizens to travel within the region without visas.

ASEAN comprises Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Moreover, Yashino mentioned about ASEAN' policy on quality education, as well as its role in the economy. She said the country's economy, for instance, continues to grow because of the partnership between the ASEAN countries.

Yashino received a trophy and P5,000.

She was followed by Deane Marie Yase of the University of the Philippines (UP) – Cebu and Maria Geneveve Nadela of the University of San Jose – Recoletos (USJ-R), who placed second and third, respectively.

Yase received a cash prize of P4,000 while Nadela got P3,000. Both received certificates.

The winners were ranked based on these criteria-content, originality and relevance to the theme (50 percent); delivery (30 percent), costume and overall impact (10 percent); and persuasion and stage presence (10 percent).

Philippine Information Agency Deputy Director General Gregorio Angelo Villar congratulated the participants and urged them to be more active in activities like the ASEAN oratorical contest to develop their communication skills.

"We hope that opportunities like this will also give our students more opportunities for further growth," he said.

"Do not take for granted the available information we have everywhere. The responsibility to use the information wisely is very important and to spread awareness to the public by providing accurate and relevant information," he added.

The participating schools were UP-Cebu, USJ-R, CIT-U, Benedicto College, Southwestern Phinma, Cebu Normal University (CNU), Cebu Technological University, University of San Carlos (USC), University of the Visayas (UV), and Cebu Eastern College (CEC).

The event, which was organized by PIA-7, was held at the Sinulog Hall, Rizal Memorial Library and Museum. —

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