Judge Peter

TWO WEEKS ago, I judged a college literary contest.

Some college of business management of some state university in the city.

So nice of them to think of me, to actually invite me.

Of course, I said yes.

Nothing beats meeting young people if I am to judge young people. Haha.

***

Anyway, I noticed the certificates.

Certificate of Achievement.

Achievement?

Now, I try to recall the certificates of award that I received when I was younger.

I’m pretty sure that’s what they are called— “certificates of award”.

What’s so wrong with “award”?

***

In my time, “achievement” is only used in the context of “lifetime achievement” award.

Is winning a declamation contest the ultimate achievement of our Gen Z?

Is it the culmination of their lifetime struggle?

***

Honestly, I see no “achievement” in the contests I judged.

What I saw was “participation”.

There were contests where there was only one participant.

The others had two, when there’s supposed to be four—a representative for each year level.

The most was three contestants, but that was only for one category.

***

I feel embarrassed for the participants.

I feel embarrassed for this Generation Z.

(I’m a Gen X!)

They come out confident, cheered by their crowd, by their people.

They start out fine, bombastic.

And then, they try to catch my eye, my attention.

***

I look them in the eye with my eye for perfection.

With my experienced eyes. 

With my brand of confidence.

And then, their confidence wavers.

They recognize I am someone there can’t impress with mediocrity.

They try really hard to impress, and their memory fails them (declamation, oration).

Their logic and organization fail them (extemporaneous speech).

***

So yeah, where there is real contest, it is a competition of showmanship.

Looking for who remains standing.

Who had the least number of fumbles and mistakes.

Oh, I think that I am good for their souls.

Every Gen Z must meet me at least once in their life.

***

As I write this, I am a week from sitting as a grand finals judge of the Little Mr. & Ms. Teen Philippines Fashionistas 2023.

(As you read this, the contest would have been done with for a good five or seven days.)

So guess what?

I am writing my columns ahead because I would like to spend time brainstorming what I will be wearing at the grand finals.

***

Because I would be embarrassed to judge a fashionista contest if I wouldn’t be the biggest fashionista at the event.

Again, Truth in everything—

The Peter Solis Nery walks the talk!

I want to command that respect at the contest site.

Respect not only from the contestants, but maybe more from the rest of the audience.

***

I’ve always been embarrassingly confident.

I do things boldly.

(On hindsight, I did my stunts so well because they were well thought of, carefully planned.)

I climbed the Arroyo Fountain (Iloilo’s Kilometer Zero) for a photoshoot way back in 2012, didn’t I?

Please do not recall my nude protest scandal in 2005.

It’s the same Arroyo Fountain! Haha.    

***

So, anyway, confidence in my 50s.

Watch me push the limits.

And let me teach these generation of kids what real confidence is.

What confidence outside of virtual reality is.

Let me show these Gen Zers what real confidence outside of social media looks like.

Some people need to learn that there’s a world bigger than their own./PN