DAVAO CITY—These schoolchildren notched two national championships on traditional music for two consecutive years.

Today, they do not have to borrow instruments to showcase their remarkable musical skills.

Upon arrival here from their second successful joust in traditional music competition in Manila under the National Music Competitions for Young Artists or Namcya, these little musicians of Davao got their instruments from their benefactor, the Davao Light and Power Co., which they wooed for sponsorship of the instruments.

The donation of native instruments actually happened last month, a Yuletide present for the musicians of the Bolton Elementary School of downtown Davao City.

The team bagged their second national title on Nov. 27 last year on borrowed instruments from various individuals who own certain sets. Their first honor came a year earlier from the same competition.

The Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Power Co. handed to the “Sa Tabok Cultural Dance Ensembles” one large-sized agong, one medium-sized agong, one small-sized agong, one set kulintang with stand, two large dabakans, and two brass gandangs.

The indigenous musical instruments were turned over to the school last Dec. 15.

The ensemble was under conductor Agnes F. Tatoy.

The school did not own any of the gadgets they brought with them to the competition.

Ross Luga, assistant vice president for communications of Davao Light, said that “conductor teacher Tatoy and its principal Zosimo G. Pana, approached Davao Light requesting for a donation of such instruments.”

“They were hoping then that their request would be positively responded to and the instruments reach their hands before their departure to Manila for the national finals. But large-ticket donations do not always come in handy,” he said.

“Again, using borrowed instruments the ensemble from Bolton Elementary School left Davao to participate in the Namcya finals. Still, they proved superior to the rest under the Traditional Music Ensembles Category,” he said.

“With such honor tucked under their belt the ensemble did not know that they were to come home with their long-dreamed of indigenous musical instruments waiting for them,” Luga said.

During the turnover attended by Department of Education Davao City Division officials led by Central District Supervisor Dr. Jima A. Gelmo, the winning ensemble played and danced their winning piece in the national competition.

Pana said the school is looking forward to winning its third and Hall of Fame award in the next national competition.