Our Lady of Peace School (OLPS) has addressed concerns about sudden audio interruptions during the livestream of its Blue Marching Condors (BMC) performance at the Antipolo Christmas Fiesta Drum and Lyre Competition on Sunday, December 7, after viewers speculated that the interruptions were deliberately muted.
READ: Audio drops on livestream as Antipolo school marching band delivers anti-corruption message
The band’s routine, staged at the Ynares Center, drew attention online after the audio dropped just as members raised banners with anti-corruption messages.
In the raw, unfiltered version later posted by another Facebook user, the crowd could also hear the chant popularized during recent nationwide demonstrations: “Ikulong na ’yan, mga kurakot!” The timing of the livestream audio cut fueled claims of possible censorship.
In a statement, OLPS thanked the community and acknowledged the public’s concerns.
“We wish to extend our appreciation to the whole OLPSian-Paulinian community, the public, the parents, and all the supporters of the OLPS’ Blue Marching Condors,” it said.
The school explained that the incident was not intentional, saying the audio issues stemmed from “unexpected technical difficulties beyond the control of both the school and the event organizers.” OLPS stressed that the disruptions were “purely operational in nature and in no way deliberate.”
The administration also clarified that the Antipolo City Government had no role in the incident.
“We emphasize that the Antipolo Local Government Unit had no involvement in the interruptions, nor in the perceived censorship of the performance,” it said.
OLPS acknowledged the confusion the incident caused, noting that “these unforeseen disruptions can create confusion, disappointment, and undue speculation.” It added that the school is coordinating with the event’s technical team to ensure the issue is resolved and prevented in future events.
Reaffirming its values, the school said: “As an institution rooted in our philosophy, ideals, and values, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing a community that is socially responsible, morally upright, and spiritually mature.”
It further emphasized its dedication to “promoting transparency, accountability, and respectful collaboration not only within our school but also in the broader social environment we serve.”
The Blue Marching Condors ultimately finished as third runner-up in the competition, with their performance earning praise from many Filipinos despite the technical glitch that overshadowed their routine.
—With Rosette Adel
