On the 4th week of November, the Makati Hope Christian School (MHCS) community gathered to appreciate something that has been very important to our education–books. National Book Week is celebrated by schools in the Philippines to remind students of the benefits of reading books and heighten interest in picking up one. MHCS celebrated Book and English Week from November 20 to 24, 2023.
The first day was the official launch of English Week, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Door Festival on the 3rd floor, showcasing creative door decorations that the students have designed.
The following day had an Epic Hero Exhibition by the Grade 10 students, with selected students dressing up as the most iconic epic heroes in literature history. Their costumes and performances brought importance to what once was a form of entertainment for people back in the days.
The next day, two representatives from each class ranging from Cluster 1 to Cluster 4 participated in an elimination round for the Battle of the Vocabularists (Spelling Bee). It also marked the start of airing the Grade 9’s radio Plays based on works by William Shakespeare over the PA system. Alongside these activities, students also displayed their creative storytellings and their Big Book exhibitions.
The last day of the English Week celebration was arguably the most eventful with the program proper. In the morning, the elementary students went up to the 6th floor gymnasium to celebrate, while the high school students did the same in the afternoon.
The Elementary and High School English Week Program was hosted by Miu Hosada and Lucas Taparan of Grade 6 Hosea (elementary) and Jedidiah Banzuelo and Anika Uy of Grade 11 Hezekiah (high school). Before the program, there was an opportunity to take fun and creative pictures with the teachers in costume. After the opening remarks, the class performances of Grade 2 and 3 and Grade 7 and 8 started, giving the students opportunities to showcase their talents and hard work with each other. In between performances, the Battle of the Vocabularists (Spelling Bee) finalists fought for the Top 1 spot.
After the tense and close competition, the class performances resumed. The Grade 6, 9, and 10 sang, danced, and even performed mini skits and plays for their audiences, entertaining them with funny and witty performances.
Now, for the moment that everyone has been waiting for—the awarding for the Best Book Character costumes of students and teachers. When the day started, students and teachers were already in their best of the best book character costumes. There were a lot of very beautiful, accurate, and creative costumes, but only a few were chosen to be awarded.
Closing remarks were given by Mrs. Teresa Lopez, the elementary academic head, and Ms. Kristen Basco, the high school academic, to thank the students and teachers who participated and showed their love for books. It is important to take note that literature is essential to one’s education and growth as a person. Truly, this wonderful and thoughtful event in MHCS will be one to be recorded for the books.
Story by Hannah Pastrana
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