SHOW MUST GO ON: Balbalan students will still compete in the Drum & Lyre contest

Tabuk City, Kalinga – There is no stopping the Balbalan students in their quest to represent their town in the Bodong Drum and Lyre Competition on February 13, not even the accident that injured at least 20 of their members.

It could be recalled that the vehicle ferrying 32 students on the way to Tabuk City on February 11 lost brakes, causing it to turn on its side in Sitio Saleng, Balantoy, Balbalan. More or less 20 were injured and 10 of them were admitted at various hospitals. One of these 10 is set for surgery in Tuguegarao City.

Mayor Almar Malannag, in an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, shared that the children are persistent and that they really want to perform for the municipality in the Drum and Lyre competition this Thursday.

“Makasangit nak nga mangkita kadakuada, kunada nga lumaban tayo. Lumaban tayo latta kunada,” he said, adding that he had to talk with the parents, the coach, the STS Balbalan principal, and other concerned individuals and the body decided to continue to compete with some adjustments.

“Kuna dagitoy ubbing ken dagitoy kakadwa ditoy nga taga Balbalan, haan nga lapped dayta aksidente, nga ilaban tayo iti Balbalan ta kaya mi, ag-adjust kami. Kaya mi nga ipakita nga iti Balbalan, uray nu kasdiay iti naaramid kadatayo, kaya mi nga lumaban latta. Isu nga Banat Balbalan kunada latta,” Malannag relayed.

The Local Chief Executive further informed that they had a mass here in Tabuk City, thanking the Creator for sparing the learners from worse scenarios in the accident.