Named Champion in the Speech Fest Competition in High School in Manila, Philippines.




His Winning Piece is as follows:

MY NAME IS DEMOCRACY
by: Rolando S. Saballo
HS Principal, NTC Manila

*Speech delivered by Edvin during the HS Speechfest 2003 at NTC, in which he was hailed the CHAMPION, the best among the fourth year orators in his time...*

I am a force ever present in this beautiful string of seven thousand islands. A potent force ever vibrant within the spirit and the veins of the so-called little brown men in this part of Southeast Asia.

Without thinking and second thought, I drove Lapu Lapu along the shores of Mactan to face in mortal combat a foreign enemy clad in iron with superior arms and with the aid of gunpowder. I prevailed in subduing an enemy whose wish was to conquer me.
However, I was subjugated and colonized by the then advancing force of the Lion of Castille. I was no match to her superior weaponry and the charisma of a new God and religion that were her vital weapons in establishing her new colony in this part of the earth. I became, since then, until now, the only Christian country in the continent of Asia.

Though colonized and subdued, I, as a force could not be said to have fallen into the deep slumber, I was awake and have made myself awake in the sporadic rebellions staged by my sons and daughters who have made themselves a vessel where my existence could be felt. From Tamblot to Dagohoy, to Teresa Magbanua and Hermano Pule, I continuously inspired the patriots of this land until I could be free.

Alas, I was personified by Andres Bonifacio when he founded the Katipunan and set the fire of revolution in this country. My identity was established by Emilio Aguinaldo when he proclaimed the independence of this land and set the first Democratic Republic in Asia. 

Sad to say, that success was short lived. Another Western, who declares herself as the true guardian of my spirit came to colonize my people. It was rather a blessing, for I found my way in schools, in the institutions, and most of all in the government. What I, who used to be a vital spirit, have taken a strong personality as an ideology.

Another ruler came for an interlude of four years. That was when the Red Sun of Japan conquered this nation. Much blood had been shed and many lives were sacrificed for my sake. The fall of Bataan and Corregidor and the infamous Death March to Capas, Tarlac were the historic events never to be forgotten.

But enemies could not subdue me. On the historic day of July 4, 1946, I was finally set free. As the Philippine flag, that was my symbol, was raised high and alone in the flagpole, every citizen of this country has taken me as a part of their life to die for.
From 1946 to 1972, I was there. But then, a self-declared dictator, brandishing his motto of,

“Save the Republic and Build a New Society,” set his despotic rule. For twenty years, I was gagged. My elements – the freedom of speech and of the press – were suppressed. But, was I dead?

No! It took the Tarmac martyr, to set my spirit aglow. My voice echoed from Ugarte Field in Makati to the foot of Mendiola Bridge. And from there, to the whole stretch of EDSA, until that fateful day of February 25, 1986 when the despotic rule of the dictator was overthrown. 

Now, after a period of 16 years, I became restive again. I cannot stand the immoral administration of the man with eight wives. I can’t take my sons and daughters to pin their hopes in gambling and other vices. Why should the government be manipulated by the president’s cronies who are tax evaders, economy saboteurs, and drug and gambling lords? 

Once again, my children took the streets, until I have prevailed.
Ladies and gentlemen, I think you know me by now. I am that ideology that shouts to the world that the people are supreme, that power, justice, and strength comes from the people. I am the one interpreted as a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.  
I am Democracy!