Palawan ACT 2:

The Job 

At the top of my head when I went to Palawan was, Finish the job. After judging, there had to be awarding. And Palawan was the awarding site. 

I took the last flight from Manila to Palawan the day before. It was swift and painless—an hour of traveling grace.  Early the next day came “the job.” The Gawad Teodora Alonso (GAT) 2024 occupied many parts of the hotel. On the ground floor was the special dining room for the judges and DepEd officers and Exhibit/fellowship areas. On the second floor—the whole ballroom—was where the extravaganza (all awarding programs) was held. 

As early as mid-morning, book signing and non-stop presentations such as cultural dances, choral renditions, speeches regaled the audience of about 400. 

We were requested to don informal or creative national costumes. It was a chance for me to meet as many officers and educators as I could. Everyone was so friendly as though we had known each other for years. I wish I could remember all their names, but that’s a hard act even to young ones. 

The awarding of prizes was grandiose, peppered with more dances, storytelling, and other stage acts. This was, no doubt, the most lavish event I have attended in my life. From the tiny details of the décor to the huge multi-screen beside the stage area, no expense was spared. The works--all glitz and glam. 

I still have to remember clicking my camera instead of rapt attention to what’s happening before my eyes, so I have no pictures that capture the event. All photos here were sent to me by techie friends who seem to have been born with a camera. 

Here are my several seconds of fame–being on the giant screen and marching to our assigned table. Alas, I could not find a photo of me on stage awarding one grand prize. But believe me, I was there for a minute or two.

The program went way beyond the estimated time, but I had enough sleep to carry me through the next day for my flight home. 

To say that the GAT 2024 Awards Night was spectacular is an understatement.