Arguments delivered in verse placed Colegio ng Lungsod ng Batangas among the winners of the provincial Balagtasang Ala-Eh! as three Culture and Arts representatives finished third during the competition held at the DREAM Zone, Capitol Compound, Batangas City, August 26.

Elisha Abarquez, Lhyka Larz De Leon, and Kris Lawrence Dela Cruz represented CLB in the competition, where participants exchanged positions using the rhythm, language, and structure of traditional balagtasan.

The trio trained under Mr. Jolo F. Javier and represented CLB Culture and Arts under the supervision of Mr. Lorenz Aaron M. Isla.
They performed before a panel composed of National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, also known as Rio Alma; poet and educator Dr. Victor Emmanuel “Vim” Nadera; and former National Commission for Culture and the Arts chair Dr. Felipe M. de Leon Jr.

Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto welcomed the participating schools and judges, officially opening the gathering of young Batangueño poets.

The event formed part of the provincial government’s observance of Buwan ng Wika and its promotion of the Filipino language and culture among the youth.

For Abarquez, De Leon, and Dela Cruz, the third-place finish was the result of a shared effort—three voices shaped through training, guidance, and the courage to bring their verses before a provincial audience.