"Be honest" oratorical competition launched

CEBU - To inspire and encourage the youth to live out the virtue of honesty in their daily life and persuade them to denounce corruption and dishonesty, a group of Christian businessmen and professionals organized the Be Honest Oratorical Competition targeting students who will be the country’s future leaders.

The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals- Cebu Chapter opened the competition to 3rd year and 4th year high school students who shall represent their respective schools in the chapter-level competition on November 15.

In Cebu, there are 49 participating schools that will send one participant each to compete for the chapter level. Winners will then compete for the Regional level on December 6.

Participants were asked to compose an oratorical piece that focuses on the theme “How to live the virtue of honesty as a Filipino youth and student.” It will be a six- to seven and a half minute-speech that dwells on the participant’s perspective on how he can apply the value of honesty in her role as a student, child and citizen of this country.

Participants will be judged according to the content, delivery and voice. BCBP has devised a scoring system to ensure that judgment will be uniform and accurate as the competition goes nationwide.

BCBP incoming national director Lorenzo Veloso said this competition is BCBP’s way of helping in making changes in the society through encouraging the people to live a good and honest life.

Rolando Villa, BCBP regional council director added that it is their effort to expand the evangelistic activity of the group.

Villa said that honesty is really lacking in the present setup of the government today. He said it is evident from the reports of corruption and anomalies of government officials.

Veloso added that undeniably, one of the major causes of financial crisis is the dishonesty among officials in charge of taking care of the treasury of the people.

In 2007 election, BCBP campaigned for honest and clean election. It is through their “Be Honest, even if others are not, even if others will not, even if others cannot” campaign biblically based on Proverbs 10:9 which says that “he who walks honestly, walks securely.”

Villa said if we will have an honest election, we will have honest officials. –Jessica Ann R. Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)