DECLAMATION PIECE

Amanda’s Lullaby

Written by: Lovella Chris L. Palma

“Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high there’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby. Somewhere,
over the rainbow, skies are blue. And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true." "What are
you looking at? Why are you all staring at me? You think I’m sick? Hahahahaha!! Me? The daughter of Don
Maximo Madrigal, the richest man alive, crazy?? Hahahahahaha!!! You fools!” I am the most beautiful,
talented, smart and richest girl in the whole world. I have the perfect life. I live in a mansion and we have
lots of cars, jewels, latest gadgets, and money… lots and lots of it. I can have whatever I wanted. I am like
a princess. What? You don’t believe me? Just look at my beautiful crown. My Daddy bought it for me.
Everyone says I looked like my Mommy but she’s in heaven now. Daddy is always sad. I think it’s because
he misses her. One night, I was alone in my room, playing with my doll, Amanda, when I heard a voice
coming from Mommy and Daddy’s room; the voice went louder and louder. I felt fear creeping into my
spine. It’s Daddy. He is angry again. He is looking for me. Then I heard a loud thud like something or
someone hit the wall. I was so scared. I want my mommy! I looked at Amanda. I knew she’s scared too.
“There, there, Amanda. I will not let anything happen to you. I promise.” I hid inside my closet. Then
suddenly, the door opened. Daddy came into my room searching for me. The look on his eyes scared me.
He looked like a madman. He opened the door of the closet and found me. I gasped! He smelled funny. Oh
no! He’s been drinking again. “No Daddy! Please. Don’t hurt me!” I hugged Amanda to protect her. Then, I
felt his belt hit my back. “Aaaaah!! Daddy it hurts. Please Stop!!” Then he hit me again! “I’m sorry Daddy.
Aaaaaah!! Stop!” My face was drenched with tears. “Daddy, I’m sorry I killed Mommy! I’m sorry she died
instead of me. She died so I can live. Aaaaah!!” Why? Why are you doing this to me Daddy? You said I
looked like Mommy. Don’t you love me? I didn’t mean to kill her. I was a baby, your baby. I felt weak. The
room was spinning. My body ached when I tried to move. My skin was black and blue all over. “Mommy… I
hate my Daddy.” I hugged Amanda and cradled her so she won’t be scared anymore. I stared at the doll.
“Amanda, wake up! Stop sleeping, you worthless child! I hate you! I hate you! I wish you died. I wish you
were never born! ...I’m sorry Amanda. I got carried away. I didn’t know what I was doing. Go back to sleep."
“Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high there’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby. Somewhere,
over the rainbow, skies are blue. And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.”
ORATION PIECE

I AM THE YOUTH OF TODAY

By: Lovella Chris L. Palma

I am the youth of today. I am a descendant of the brave Katipuneros and the strong-willed leaders of the revolution.
I wear the red banner and carry the torch of my guerrilla forefathers. The blood of my ancestors runs through my
veins. I was not delivered into this world in defeat. The resilience of the past centuries nourishes my will but I am still
fighting for my freedom, justice, and peace.

To our distinguished members of the board of judges, to my fellow contenders, friends, visitors, ladies and
gentlemen, good afternoon.

I stand before you to speak for democracy, that our heroes died for, the unfortunate and unjust strived for, and the
present and even the future generation’s endeavour. Honor and dignity flow in my blood and my heart beats for
freedom.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Filipino heroism is our legacy. It is found in the determination that made it possible for
our Banganhon brothers to fight for freedom. It is in the courage that sustained them to seek justice for the brutal
Banga massacre many years ago. Let the blood of the courageous Katipuneros run through the veins of our children.
Let their cries be echoed to our youth. Let us revel in the victory and peace that our forefathers gave their life for.

But where is our freedom? Through the agony of the three hundreds of years under the Spanish colonization, several
years under the Japanese and American occupation, I should think we are liberated from foreign forces… but a
fellow Filipino dictator once again threatened our peace. When victory became ours, the seed of democracy in our
country began to take root and sprouted to grow. I should rejoice, and shout. However, ladies and gentlemen, I can
see pictures of our Mother Land in reality at the present and she is chained. Her shackles are those of poverty and
inequality. Her chains are those of injustices, human rights violations, corruption, and treason. Her eyes are blinded
by media, and social networking. But her heart breaks as she sees her sons point their guns at each other. She sees
her daughters slaving their way in foreign lands to earn money to buy food for their families. Is this what freedom
has cost her?

I am the youth of today, I am free to do what I want without prejudice. I am free to say what I want without fear of
incrimination. I have grown fond of TV shows, love teams and teleserye, and fight over them in social media. If only
my fellow youths can defend our land from domestic terrorist groups, like how we defend AlDub or Pastillas girl. If
only we can protect our West Philippine Sea from foreign invaders like how we protect our love teams from rumors.
Then I can say that our forefathers’ heroism is not in vain.

Fellow Banganhons, I am the Filipino Youth of today. I enjoy social networking like facebook and instagram. I like
taking selfies and posting it online. But what I do online does not define me. It is my thoughts – thoughts that will
always contain memories of the meaningful virtues our ancestors passed down to us. It is my words – in the stories
that I will tell my future children and grandchildren of how Aeaw-aeaw came to be. It is in my actions that embody
the true nature of Saguibin – helping one another.

As Dr. Jose Rizal once quoted, “He, who doesn’t know how to look back where he came from, will never reach his
destiny.” The only way to reach our dreams for the future is to have a clear understanding of the past. What has
already happened can never be changed but they can be lessons we can learn from.

I am the YOUTH of today. I am a descendant of the brave Katipuneros and the strong-willed leaders of the
revolution. I wear the red banner and carry the torch of my guerrilla forefathers. The blood of my ancestors runs
through my veins. I was not delivered into this world in defeat. The resilience of the past century nourishes my will
but I am still fighting for my freedom, justice, and peace. Ladies and gentlemen, where is YOUR freedom? Once
again, good afternoon.