by Jamilah Gregorio and Faith Tuason
Taking place on May 27 in the Shabab Al Ahli Club, Far Eastern Private School’s Foundation Day was an event that was not just eagerly anticipated but also put undeniable effort into. Being one of the busiest occasions the school celebrates annually, the students of FEPS Al Shahba were in for a blast of activities and boundless excitement.
The place was filled with joy and thumping hearts from people who came to perform and watch. A lot of supportive families could be seen all over the place, readying their cameras for their child’s performance. Mainly, the audience was divided into two: visitors who sat in the bleachers and the assigned area for students across the court, opposite from them. FEPSians were scattered, wearing costumes that were as unique as the countries that they were representing. Every detail in their clothes depicted the efforts put in by them.
To commence the program, the spotlight was given to the Drum and Lyre Corps, which was a combined effort of FEPS Shahba and Halwan. The whole room was cheering and soaking in the stunning costumes and the striking performance. At the same time, the emcees of the event called each class and their respective adviser to proudly flaunt their special costumes in the parade.
Then came the May Flower Festival, and the participants were just as blooming as their gowns and tuxedos. They displayed themselves walking together with their partner, overflowing with style and glamor. With the support and guidance of the Maharlika Dance Troupe, the contestants performed a special dance number to show off their talent in the arts.
And of course, the most highly anticipated part of every annual Foundation Day is where everyone gets to witness the performance of each section. The immense effort that FEPSians have put into completing their different presentations paid off once they took to the dance floor. Though filled with pressure and nervousness as each section came close to performing, the excitement in their adrenaline took over—from the kindergarten department up to the high school department.
In the end, the blood, sweat, and tears poured into accomplishing this made everything worth it. From the colorful costumes and innovative props to the FEPSians’ lifted spirits, the theme of the event, ‘Bridging Global Diversity,’ was outstandingly portrayed. Everyone, even the judges, was amused by the different cultural performances. Each class expressed themselves uniquely, representing the countries they chose or were assigned to. Most performed various songs, from a mashup of country songs to folk music. Nevertheless, every class delivered it faultlessly. Seeing the performances made everyone in the arena feel like they were travelling the world and exploring its diverse culture in the field of dance.
All in all, Far Eastern Private School’s 22nd Founding Anniversary was a triumph led by camaraderie. The program ended with words of gratitude and acknowledgment given by the hosts to the people who extended their help with the program, from the persevering staff to the talented students and their ever-supportive parents. This is undeniably an event that FEPSians could not afford to miss, as it was an exceptionally memorable day of entertainment for everyone.
Nothing satisfies more than the success of something you’ve worked hard for. But at the end of the day, what matters most isn’t the dances, costumes, or the 1st Place title, but rather the bond built between FEPSians, or individuals in general, despite their differences in attitude and their distinct cultures.