Lord Zedrique T. Macatiag, an incoming third year student at the Laboratory High School in Laoag City, won first place in the high school category of the \"Pambansang Paligsahan sa Pagbigkas ng Tula\" held April 24 at the National Commission on Culture and the Arts Auditorium in Intramuros, Manila. It was sponsored by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino in cooperation with the Panrehyong Sentro sa Wikang Filipino-Region I.

Macatiag, who also won the regional eliminations held at MMSU on March 24, was awarded a trophy and a cash prize of Php20,000. Mr. James S. Ventura, a Filipino teacher at LHS, served as his coach.

Awed by his powerful delivery of Andres Bonifacio’s Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa, Macatiag readily won the approval of the board of judges composed of luminaries in Philippine literature.

Ms. Jaztyn Ross E. Sanchez, an incoming nursing sophomore was also a national finalist in the said competition. Prof. Francisca S. Nicolas, PSWF-I assistant director, trained her in reciting Pinaglahuan, a poem by Pedro Gatmaitan.

The delegation was headed by Prof. Janet F. Rivera, director of PSWF-I.