Music and dance as strategy to save youth from illegal drugs done in Mt. Province

Bontoc, Mountain Province – The Mt. Province Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council’s (PADAC) organized battle of the bands and Drug-free Song Online Animation contest as means to hone the youth’s skills and talents while drawing them away from the temptation of engaging in illegal drugs.

Said contests were initiated by Fr. Marcial Lloyd C. Castaǹeda. He said these competitions shall help sustain the province campaign against illegal drugs in a creative way by the use of social media as the platform. Castaǹeda is the writer of the official drug free song of the province.

On November 21,2020; PLGU Mountain Province awarded the winners of the competetions which lasted for a month.

Champions for said contests received P 10,000.00 each, second placers were given P7,500.00 each while the third placers received P5,000.00 each. Non-winners were given P 1,000.00 each.

PADAC Tshirts and certificate of recognition and participation were also given to the participants.

For the battle of the bands, the Saint Vincent High School Band of Bontoc bested all participating groups, the Thearmuz Band of Masla, Tadian came out second and the third place award was garnered by Upyoung Band of Sagada.

As for the dance animation contest, Kilong Elementary School group of Sagada were proclaimed as the champions, the Hingyon Group of Ifugao placed second while the Saint Vincent High School Group of Bontoc placed third.

Castaǹeda during the awarding told that there is a need to involve the youth in such activities as these are attractive to them and will be fruitful if it will be used for the battle against illegal drugs and to sustain a drug-free community.

Castaǹeda also expressed his thanks to PADAC Chairman and Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. for providing funds for the contest. He likewise expressed his gratitude to all the persons who actively involve themselves in the activity which include the PADAC focal person, PADAC secretariat members and the PMFC.

Governor Lacwasan on his part also expressed his appreciation for efforts and to the people who organized the activity and assured that the provincial government will continue to provide support to these kinds of work.