The winners of the first-ever Cali BeatLine Marching Competition.

In the recent staging of the first-ever "Cali BeatLine Competition 2005" in Folk Arts Theater at the CCP Complex, four schools that include Far Eastern University, University of Makati, Emilio Aguinaldo College, and Adamson University battled it out on the battleground where usual student contenders have never set foot before—the marching band arena. On his welcome remarks, Cali’s Brand Manager Affie Carpio commended the participants for joining the inter-school marching band competition. "We’re glad that students came here to witness the showcasing of talents of their fellow students and support their respective schools as well."

Before the electrifying, colorful, and entertaining display of marching bands representing their schools in Metro Manila, pre-event activities were prepared for 15 participating colleges and universities. These activities include a "Fun Fair," where booths selling a variety of stuff and items that are set up by the students themselves, percussion exhibitions, guest performances by DJ Shorty and the UP Filipiniana Dance Group, games, raffles, and awards for the "Cali Best Dressed Up Booth" provided entertainment to the students of all participating schools in the entire fun fair.

The competition proper kicked off with Lyceum Choir’s rendition of the "Lupang Hinirang." The Parade of Flags by the competing schools signified the opening of the ceremonies. School flag bearers, bandleaders, and muses were finally revealed to the anticipating crowd. It was followed by the pledge of sportsmanship led by no less than Vince Hizon. The hosts also mentioned some safety measures and house rules.

WHO’S GOT THE BEAT?

According to San Miguel Corporation’s Brand Assistant for Beer Division, Kirsten Lim the competition is indeed "not your ordinary marching band competition."

Tired of the usual battle of the bands, cheering competitions, dance and singing contests, and all other stuff, the organizers wanted to have something different. "This is one-of-a-kind contest because unlike the usual marching band performances, the competing bands will play hip hop, alternative, and pop music instead of the traditional marshal tunes commonly dished out by marching school bands during pep rallies and inter-scholastic meets."

With their own versions of popular OPM and foreign hits with their own renditions of the Cali jingle, each school also showcased unique combinations of beats, grooves, and rhythms using their instruments.

Still according to Lim, the competition is part of a one-day event they wanted to have for the students for so long. "We didn’t have elimination rounds because we informed the interested schools before hand," she shares. From 10 schools, the finalists were trimmed down to four. Lim also shares that they plan to make the competition an annual thing. "Hopefully, we could invite more schools so we could be associated with something hip and cool like the younger crowd."

The marching band finalists were presented before the tough panel of judges composed of highly-regarded personalities in the music industry. The judges were Kapatid vocalist and "Awit" and "Katha" awardee Karl Roy, choreographer and Ms. Saigon cast member Jhong Hilario, MMDA Marching Band Master Director Lutgardo Garrido, UP Filipiniana Dance Group Choreographer Van Manalo, and DJ Funky Avy, a house-progressive, tribal and technical resident disc jockey at Club Halo.

BEATING THE LINE

After intermission numbers and performances provided by Parokya ni Edgar, Brownman Revival, Sugarfree, Seven Shots of Wisdom, and the UP Filipiniana Dance Group, the bands that "got the beat" were announced.

The marching band of FEU bagged the first-ever Cali BeatLine title while the bands from AdU and UMak settled for 1st and 2nd places respectively.

According to FEU Band Master Illumar Togad, they were declared as the overall champion because of the six-month rigorous training the members of the band went through. "We prepared and practiced for almost 24 weeks," he shares. Believing that FEU is the home of champions, Togad says that they won because the band gave "Winter Olympics," "Hiking song," "Silverado," and the Cali BeatLine jingle a different twist. Well aware that this is only the beginning for the band, the band master promises to come up with better performances in the years to come.

For the members of EAC marching band, the title is a fruit of the group’s perseverance. Coach B.J. Sayno shares that the team won because of the support of the school, the students, and the P.E. Department. "We just had five hours of practice because for three days, we were cheering in the SEA Games," he divulges. "But, despite the time constraint and fatigue, we really wanted to join this contest so we just used how much time we had to practice."

EAC P.E. Director Romeo Gabriel also commended the guts the band showed during the competition. "Originally, EAC has no marching band, we only have a cheering squad," he shares. "But, when I saw the potential of the cheerers, I decided to develop this potential into something unique and better."

Just like members of the EAC marching band, 2nd placers from Adamson were also overwhelmed with the title. Coach Dennis Morales couldn’t believe they could win because they didn’t have enough time to practice. "At first, we wanted to back out because aside from lack of practice and rehearsal, we also didn’t have experience in terms of marching band competitions." But, the students weren't ready to let the opportunity pass. "Sila talaga ang may gusto that’s why we practiced almost all day in three days." The band performed hits like Orange and Lemons' "Pinoy Ako," among other popular tunes. Realizing that this title could be a start for the marching band career of the members, Morales admits that they will do their best to enhance whatever talent or skill they have.

According to Karl Roy, all groups exhibited their own uniqueness and creativity in performing. "I’m glad that they were able to perform well despite all the difficulties each group went through," says Kapatid’s main man.

For Jhong Hilario, all teams performed well. "Maganda naman ‘yung choreography at movement nilang lahat kaya lang, kailangan pa ng practice ‘nung iba." Although Garrido commended the effort exerted by FEU, the band master begged to differ. "First and foremost, the quality of the band should be considered when it comes to marching band competitions." Although FEU performed well, Garrido noticed the mistakes committed by the members that greatly affected the overall sound of the band. Despite the fact that Adamson’s quality of sound and general effect appealed to him, he respects the opinion of other judges. "Since marching band is all about drill, formation, and overall sound, the interested participants should focus more one these aspects."

Aside from cash prizes awaiting the top three school bands, special awards were also given. The string of special awards includes the "Cali Popular School Award" bagged by Adamson University while the "Music One/Tower Records Beat Buster Award" went to EAC. Umak went home with the "TJ Hotdog Hot Grooves Award" while the "Converse Band Choreographer Star Award" and the "Cali Band Master Award" were given to FEU’s choreographer.

The grand prize winner went home with R100,000 while the 1st and 2nd placers went home with R50,000 and R30,000 respectively. All the winners were given trophies while the other contenders went home with certificates of appreciation.