OFFICIAL PIECE FOR DECLAMATION 2021

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL

The Boy
(Sajid Bulig Story)
By: Henry G. Cordero

He was the boy you would see on the streets. He would play under the sun all day
long. You could just imagine how this young boy would get excited by the beaming rays
of sun in the morning. He would only ask for a piece of his favorite bread - hopia. Yes, a
piece of hopia would suffice him in doing the household chores and playing with Ebeth,
Rigor, and Victor.
Nobody would take a second look at the boy. Lean, dusky and seemed to be a
gadabout guy in our society. His family lived a hand-to-mouth existence. His clothes
were unkempt and usually the hands-me-down ones.
The boy was so poor.........
But came the 2nd day of July in 1993. The boy made a mark. He gave up his life
for those who were drowning... for those who were gasping for breath as the majestic
PAGODA was slowly sinking in Bocaue River. The wailing... the cries for help were
everywhere. Everyone wanted to save his own life.
But the boy... he plunged into the river to save lives. He never got tired. He was a
gallant warrior in the oblivion. He was undaunted.
There was such a pandemonium. "Help! Help!" an old woman was screaming.
Everybody could have done something, but nobody dared to help the woman. Suddenly, a
flash was seen into the river. It was the boy never noticed by anyone. But, that night.....
he was the light that gave hope to the victims. There was so many of them. All crying for
HELP. It was only the boy who showed his bravado. Untiringly, he saved one after
another. Until a log hit him in his forehead. And to his last breath... he showed how
precious the lives of others were. How about his? How about his own life?
Yes, to many of you, the boy was brave enough... The boy knew no cowardice,
but he gave up his life for others to live.
And, I his mother/father... he was a hero and forever he will be.