The Paeloqe community successfully hosted a Gospel Music Competition last week to celebrate the New Year at Paeloqe village, west Gizo.
The event was organized by the Moonlight Band from Valapata village, Vella La Vella Island, as part of their outreach program to empower youths in rural communities.
A total of 16 groups participated in the live music competition at Paeloqe village on Thursday, 9th December 2024. The event provided a platform for young people to showcase their musical and singing talents. At the conclusion of the activity, the judges decided to award equal tokens of appreciation to all participating groups, given that it was the first event of its kind. The judges anticipate that future events will be more competitive, with even greater participation.
The Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Panda Ta’ake, expressed gratitude to the surrounding communities for their enthusiastic participation and unwavering support during the Christmas and New Year programs.
“The energy, joy, and commitment of everyone made these celebrations truly memorable and successful, marked by vibrant festivities and shared unity,” he said.
The event committee extended special thanks to Mr. Henry Kaniki and Mrs. Clera Kaniki for their generosity in sponsoring the prizes for the Gospel Music Competition. Their support elevated the spirit of the celebrations and inspired the incredible talents within the community, said Pastor Jack Harry.
Mr. Jonathan Bukiri, Moonlight Band Coordinator, expressed his appreciation to the Paeloge community for their hospitality and for welcoming the band to facilitate the Gospel Music Competition. Similarly, Rockjay Bukiri shared his experience as a young musician, describing the event as highly educational. He looks forward to participating in future events.
One of the event judges, Mr. Iota Aram, highlighted the significance of the young musical talents showcased during the event. He emphasized the importance of nurturing these talents to bring positive change to the lives of youths and the community as a whole.
Mrs. Rose Derick also reflected on the event, emphasizing the opportunities it provided to youths and women interested in music. She shared how the activity helped her overcome her fear of public speaking and boosted her confidence. She strongly recommended that the event become an annual tradition, noting that it could lead to positive societal change.
–Paeloqe Committee
