During the staging of the song parody contest dubbed, "Himig Handog Para sa Ilog Pasig" in V. Mapa High School, young people from 11 high schools in Districts 5 and 6 of Manila demonstrated that being young can be a powerful tool in saving something that is quite crucial to many people and to their future—the Pasig River.

Heidene Urbiztondo, Maricar Larion and Jed Paolo Moreno of the Elpidio Quirino High School bagged the first place in the "Himig Handog Para sa Ilog Pasig" contest.

Knowing that hundreds of youth comprise the two districts, the organizers decided to tap high school students with their teachers and involve them in the process of cleaning the river. "We know that this project would succeed if we muster the cooperation and support of the youth and their respective schools," he says.

With the project running for six years, he says, "This is not one of those projects that you’ll start with fun and then you’ll end up with whimper." Consistently, with the help of the Department of Education and the Pasig River Commission and the City of Manila, they have succeeded with heavy programs every year to make sure that the idea of having a clean river will always be alive.

In all their projects, Macapagal stresses the importance of cleaning the Pasig River, especially to people in Metro Manila because it serves as the umbilical health line for Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay. "If Pasig River will continue to be dead, it wouldn’t take long for it to kill Laguna de Bay, as well," he adds.

For him and for the people behind the CRZ project, keeping the Pasig River alive is the only way to ensure the safety of the only alternative source of fresh water for Southern Manila, the Laguna de Bay. "We are also doing this in order to save the livelihood of the fishermen relying on Manila Bay and for their families, as well," he says.

Though their ideas are often raw and their actions are as impulsive and as rebellious as they are, there is no denying that the youth is the most potent force any nation could have. Instead of cleaning the riverbanks with their bare hands, the students used a different strategy in saving the Pasig River—by recreating masterpieces which convey meaningful messages that promote awareness on the need to rehabilitate the dying river.

Hosted by Champagne Morales, the contest showcased the ingenuity of the students in rewording or adapting original songs with popular tune. The contestants were allowed to choose from any musical genre for as long as the song contains the theme. Musical instruments or accompaniments were allowed with visual representations of the Pasig River.

The first school to perform was host V. Mapa High School. The V. Mapa trio adapted "Tagumpay Nating Lahat" by Lea Salonga and came up with their own version entitled, "Sulong Kabataan, Atin ng Simulan," which was about discipline, health and sanitation and proper garbage disposal. The Pasig Angels from Manuel Roxas High School, on the other hand, asked for their fellow youth’s help in their song, "Kabataan, Tulong Naman."

While the trio from Carlos P. Garcia High School promoted unity in their song entitled "Buhayin Natin," the acoustic trio from Villamor High School echoed hope and unity in their song "Ilog ang Pag-asa Natin" to the tune of Sixpence None the Richer’s "Don’t Dream it’s Over." The Chrysanthemum band from Manila High School gave the Pasig River a chance to talk to the people in their song, "Dilim ng Ilog Pasig" to the tune of Cueshe’s "Ulan."

While the River Savers from Marcos High School blamed the people and factories in killing the Pasig River in their song entitled, "Ilog Kong Minumutya," Les Chandeurs group from Manila Science High School apologized to the river via their song, "Sorry Ilog Pasig" to the tune of Ryan Cayabyab’s "Limang Dipang Tao."

River Style from Emilio Aguinaldo High School reiterated the importance of unity in saving the river in their rendition of "Kailangan Kita Kabataan" while representatives from E. Rodriquez High School called for cooperation in their song entitled, "Tayo Na Kabataan, Kilos Na."

To the tune of Cookie Chua and Kevin Roy’s "Jam," the Riverino Gem of Kilos Elpidio Quirino High School encouraged the youth to take an active part in cleaning the Pasig River while the Aurellians from Araullo High School rocked the crowd with their composition entitled, "Handog sa Ilog Pasig" to the tune of Kamikazee’s "Narda."

Indeed, power is not just about self-expression disguised in different contexts of freedom. It should be about the ability to shift that power in order to create and achieve meaningful undertakings.

After the enthusiastic showdown of the students, only three groups emerged as the ultimate "saviors." The grand prize went to Elpidio Quirino High School students, who went home with R15,000 with a computer set complete with CD burner, computer table and a printer for the school. The 2nd place was bagged by representatives of Manila High School, bagging R12,000 plus a 29-inch TV with DVD player for the school. While the 3rd place went to Manila Science High School students, who went home with R10,000 plus a sound system for the school. Other contestants were given minor prizes and Unilever products.

The winners were judged based on content or the message, interpretation, recall, harmony or movement. Points were also given to clarity, emphasis, the use of imagery, poise, harmonious match of composition, melody, voice quality, overall performance, and each contestant’s ability to create rapport with the audience.

Since its launch six years ago, numerous activities like drawing contests, essay writing contests, photography contests, poetry writing contest, print ad campaign contests and choral competitions were organized under the CRZ campaign.