Mr. and Ms. APEC V. Luna 2023: A Crowning Reflection of Poise and Mindset
by Alessandra Mercado
The APEC V.Luna launched on the 5th day of the Fun Week, February 17 the Mr. & Ms. APEC V. Luna, which the event happened at Brgy. Pinyahan Court, Quezon City. After more than two years of COVID-19 lockdown this fabulous event will commence while learning facilitators, students and parents can now enjoy the face-to-face event that will showcase their extraordinary talents and wit answers for the Q & A portion.
The event commenced by the hosts from Grade 11 HUMSS Class President Alessandra Mercado, VP Kacey Pidazo, and Grade 11 ABM Class President Gabriel Deo Guiyab who are the students from Student Council and Amplify. It started with a presented AVP of Doxology, Philippine National Anthem, and an APEC Schools Hymn as a formal setting point of the ceremony. School staff, parents, and students were welcomed by the opening remarks of our dear Principal Ms. Chery Subong.
Long Gown and Q&A
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Following is the long gown and formal attire parade which the music played by Paulo Villanueva who is a 10th-grader violinist then afterward the Preliminary Question and Answer portion of Top 3 began.
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The list of the Top 3 is as follows; 2nd place: Jade Miya Ricafort and Sean Rafael Gonzales, 1st place: Martina Calista Pedronan and Kehvin Clark Monsale, and the reigning Mr. and Ms. APEC 2023: Mikayla Aiyanna Gaskell and Karl Vincent Salvo which both go through a Question and Answer portion and are asked by the host ‘’Do you think that the youth today faces more pressure on academic performance than the previous generation and why?" Subsequently answered by Mikayla "I believe that the youth right now really have more pressure, because nowadays the most common quote to say is 'dapat may diploma ka' so most of us students tend to force ourselves to do our studies." On the other hand answered by her partner, Karl "We are more pressured compared to before, obviously the generation of ours molded by our parents to be academic achievers because that’s what we were always told since we’re a child. But for now perhaps our parents do not necessarily expect anything from us but I also believe that in essence they just believe in us to more often be academic achievers."
Grand Opening
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Mr. and Ms. APEC candidates performed their production number as well as the self-introduction stating their names, respective grade levels, and the team they embodied. Also, the hosts introduce the judges of this event; The first is Class President of S.Y. 2020 Mr. Aly Abalos, second is Brgy. Admin, Adviser LGBTQIA, and Pres. of Samahan ng Aktibong Mag-kakapitbahay Mr. Elvin Matabang, and lastly Head Committee of Health and Sport Mr. Edwin Bernal.
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Talent Portion
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The Talent Portion was randomly selected backstage ahead of time. The grading refers to the stage presence, mastery, uniqueness, and audience impact of the candidates. The majority of the candidates sang, some danced, and some acted. In dancing, HUMSS-11 (Pink Harpy Eagles) performed a High School Classical and whilst did a Hip Hop dance from Grade 10 section 2 (Blue Falcons). Both were viably performed with passion in two different genres they have brought off stage. Talent in singing was showcased by Grade 10 section 1 (Blue Eagles) who played an acoustic guitar, as well as Grade 8 (Red Bombers), from Grade 9 section 2 (Yellow Tigers) who played an electric guitar on the other hand, Grade 12 ABM (Purple T-rex), Grade 9 section 1 (Yellow Vipers), and lastly from Grade 11 ABM (Pink Pelicans). All did a spectacular execution as they conveyed great power from control and projection throughout each of the performances. Finally, was the youngest in the age group, the Grade 7 (Green Dragons). An only performance executed by acting - portraying the life of the OFW parents abroad. Deep emotions, on-the-spot script, prepared costumes, and props were shown.
At the end of the talent portion, the candidates who showed exceptional and gave sensational performances are the students from the Grade 10 section 2 team of Blue Falcons: Ms. Mikayla Aiyanna Gaskell and Mr. Karl Vincent Salvo whose talent is performed by hip hop dancing.
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Awarding
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The intermission number was performed by the Grade 7 Adviser and the Amplify Adviser of APEC Schools V.luna. Later on, the top 3 were announced next to answer the final Question and Answer portion. From the three pairs competing, the darling of the crowd is Ms. Mikayla Aiyanna Gaskell and Mr. Kehvin Clark Monsale from Grade 10. Below is the list of candidates with special awards:
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Awarded in best sports attire is Ms. Martina Calista Pedronan and Mr. Jian Kirby Laggui.
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The best in talent portion was awarded to Ms. Mikayla Aiyanna Gaskell and Mr. Karl Vincent Salvo.
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The best in long gown and formal attire goes to Mr. Kehvin Clark Monsale and Ms. Aubrey Haylin Bacani.
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Mr. and Ms. APEC V.luna 2nd place is Jade Miya Ricafort and Sean Rafael Gonzales.
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Mr. and Ms. APEC V.luna 1st place is Ms. Martina Calista Pedronan and Mr. Kehvin Clark Monsale.
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Mr. and Ms. APEC V.luna are Ms. Mikayla Aiyanna Gaskell and Mr. Karl Vincent Salvo.
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Weeks before the Mr. and Ms. APEC 2023 competition happened, the contestants were interviewed. The winners from Grade 10 Section 2 Ms. Mikayla Aiyanna D. Gaskell is into Dancing, Law, Video editing, and believes in the motto "You can't start the next chapter of your life, if you keep re-reading the last one". On the other hand her partner Mr. Karl Vincent O. Salvo is also into Dancing, who enjoys Gaming, and Sports who believes in the saying “likewise on what the Law of Inertia dictates, if there's no effort acted upon in our life, there will be no motion or progress for us to observe”.
This Mr. and Ms. APEC ever since - gives a unique opportunity to express students' in a way not found in any other school activities/event. It allows the students to have an opportunity to reveal what skills they have to entertain the audience such in the talent portion. This is the moment where contestants could show the judges the ability to take something ordinary and turn it into extraordinary. As a young woman “gets it” when she realizes that she is not competing with the other contestants. But competing with herself in ways of areas to improve more on. As trite and clichéd as that may sound, eventually it is something a being could develop from its kept learnings. Competition is a vehicle for honing, polishing and sharpening outer and inner character and attributes. Success is achieved when a young woman/man becomes the best individual they can be. It is merely icing on the cake if they aced thus won the competition and enjoyed the opportunities that the title brings to him/her. Mr. and Ms. APEC 2023 brought a big chance to shine and to be totally in contestants' own element!