14-year old Ilonggo lad wins Gold in violin at Int’l Student Convention
A humble and gifted lad from the Philippines won the gold medal in violin solo at the 40th anniversary of the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE), during the International Student Convention (ISC), held last May 22-27, 2010 at the Western Kentucky University.
Chris John David P. De Guzman, a 14-year old student of the Iloilo Integrated Christian ACE International School, who represented the Philippines in the String Bowed Solo (Violin) category, was judged as the best from all other students from the different parts of the world.
He received the gold medal or the first place among other International students. His marvelous playing on the violin of the immortal hymn “Great is thy Faithfulness”, with a rather complicated arrangement which showcased his techniques, truly spoke volumes of God’s eternal faithfulness to all his children, worldwide. One of the judges commented that his rendition was fantastic and marvelous and that Chris John had been given a superb God-given talent that had to be exercised for God’s glory and honour. Another judge said that she was eager to hear it again as a command performance.
Thus, at the command performance held at the Diddle Arena of the Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky, on May 26, 2010, at around 7:30 in the evening, a standing ovation of approximately 5,000 audience was witnessed at the WKU, when Chris John played his violin solo.
Chris John has been trained under the tutelage of international violinist, Gil Lopez Kabayao, and is the son of Dr. Christopher Rey De Guzman and Dr. Annabelle P. De Guzman, both practicing physicians in Iloilo City.
Each year, ACE sponsors an ISC on a major US university campus. Approximately 4,000 students worldwide compete in different categories of music, platform, art, athletics, academic and other categories.
The ISC is an unparallel event where students compete in a godly environment. The aim is to develop character and to have life-changing rallies wherein students are challenge to make a difference for the Lord Jesus Christ.
The theme of this year’s ISC is taken from Psalm 119:111 & 49 which says “Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever... upon which Thou hast caused me to hope”, encapsulated the Christian viewpoint in life that our hope in this world is in Jesus Christ alone and that His testimonies is our priceless heritage forever. In other words, our inheritance is the rich treasure of God’s truth in the Bible –giving us a solid hope for the future. Thus, our inheritance=our hope, definitely points life in its utmost and highest perspective. And for Chris John, this may be the start of his living a solid hope for the future.