Bible Week 2013:

Proclaim the Word,Profess the Faith



By Nicolette D. Bautista

IV—Philippians

This January, we ushered in 2013 with hope, warmth and faith as we celebrated National Bible Week. For one whole week—January 22 to 25—Great Christian Academy held activities and contests that got you thinking: How is the Bible important to you?

Students got together and pondered over this question and answered through essays, songs, and illustrations, all incorporating the theme: Proclaim the Word, Profess the Faith.

Monday kicked off the festivities with a film-showing in the AVR coordinated by our very own Pastor Darwin Reyes. The movies screened for the dear little pre-schoolers and primary students—that is, children Grades 1 to 4—were entitled Super Book Story and Flying House, the Grades 5 to 6 enjoyed Disney’s Prince of Egypt, and the High School Department viewed The Gospel of John.

Tuesday, the festivities included a Bible Quiz Bee. Two participants per level competed in their respective divisions, answering Bible-related questions on-the-spot. The winners include: Mika Cabontoc and Jhamaica de Dios (Grade 2), Crisha Joy Casison and Alyana Prieto (Grade 4), Vianca Mae Geli and Hanah Beatriz Colonia (Grade 6), and finally, from the high school and ACE division, Stefany Gacula and Pio Henry Diaz (3rd Year).

Wednesday, an on-the-spot Bible Art Festival was held wherein trio’s representative of each level created works of art. The medium agreed upon was oil pastel on a one whole white cartolina. Each trio had to bring their own materials. The competition was fast paced and time restricted. Contestants had to plan, draw, and color a masterpiece interpreting the Bible Week Theme in only a little over an hour. This activity was coordinated by T. Alex Cabias. Upon completion, winners were chosen anonymously as each finished poster was posted with a corresponding number. Judges had no idea who made what.

The grade school winners for this event came from the 5th Grade: S. Dimayuga, L.J. Garcia and A. Guillermo; the high school winners came from 2nd Year, section Matthew: Joesen Tan, Rana Somera, and Mina Sasaki.

Thursday, the day before our very own culminating activity, each group busied themselves with schoolwork and last-minute touches on their Battle of the Bands performances. My very own class had barely begun to practice as we had only finished writing our song that day.

And finally, after a week of fun activities, Friday! The culminating program—MC-ed by Sir Nazar Acedera and Sir Eric Silva—began at 8 in the morning with an exhibition competition. Participants from grades 1 to 3—five from each level—competed to see who could recite the most memory verses. While no winners were awarded, this show was clearly a crowd pleaser.

Not to be out done, the intermediate levels of the 4th, 5th and 6th Grades succeeded with a Talent Explosion of epic proportions as they competed against each other through song, dance and drama. The soundtrack: purely Christian music. In the end, the 4th Grade emerged as victors.

After a short intermission and break, the high school program commenced with esteemed guest speaker Commodore Ernie Sacro, whom right after speaking, gave over 170 Bibles to students and parents present during the program. Commodore Ernie Sacro first served the Air Force as a Jet Fighter Pilot and later became the Adjutant General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Academic Dean and Deputy Commandant of the AFP Command and Staff College. Aside from graduating from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), he also earned two doctorate degrees: a Ph.D in Business Management and Doctor of Divinity. He is the founder of the Military Value Education (MILVED) Ministry. Currently, he is the President of the Military Christian Fellowship-Philippines.

After much anticipation, the Battle of the Bands came upon us. As a first-timer, I didn’t know what to expect. Had we practiced enough? We’re the others good? My nerves were not laid to rest until we were standing in front of the judges performing the first few notes of our own composition, which didn’t happen until towards the end of the program, we were the last to perform.

Performances were lined up chronologically, beginning with the ACE Department’s performance of Be My Hero, followed by the Freshmen who performed Glory to the Highest, The Next Day (Sophomores of Matthew) who performed What My Heart Feels, the Sophomores of Luke who performed Living It All for You, Peterrific (Juniors) who performed Proclaim the Word, Profess the Faith, and concluded by Lost Then Found (Seniors) who performed their song entitled Spread That Story.

After awarding, T. Jerald Villanueva led us in closing prayer as a conclusion to this year’s Bible Week Celebration.

All performers amazing, all performances original. Some undiscovered talents and some familiar faces. The Battle of the Bands of 2013 was truly an experience that I won’t forget. A moment to take chances.  Where risks really paid off. And at the end of the day, our performances were for the glory of God and not personal recognition.

Unprepared and nervous, imagine our surprise when the winners were announced—an unofficial curtain call to our final year. The rest was a blur, but what I distinctly remember is the feeling of happiness and sorrow—you’ll understand one day—when you’ve grown so accustomed to these unforgettable faces and even more unforgettable moments, it’s a hard habit to break. As a side, Philippians, congratulations! Know that wherever God’s plan takes us: college and beyond, I love you awesome nerds!

I can’t wait to see the performances for years to come. God bless!