Grade 7 students faint during dance rehearsal in Davao City

Eight Grade 7 students of Sta. Ana National High School in Davao City on Monday felt dizzy and fainted during their rehearsal for a recital performance inside an auditorium.

According to a report by GMA Regional TV One Mindanao’s Kent Abrigana in 24 Oras, emergency responders immediately went to the venue to attend to the high school students.

One of the reasons being looked at for the sudden condition of the students was hunger.

“It's their first time to present or to practice before a big stage. Then out of their excitement, they woke up very early, they ate very little. And then, we performed, it needs a lot of stamina and endurance,” said school principal Welita Rosal.

But the students pointed out that the air condition unit at the auditorium was not turned on when they were practicing.

In their defense, the auditorium’s management said that the venue was just rented to the event organizers for free so the aircon was not turned on.

"Tapos sinabihan ko rin ang organizer mismo na magdala kayo ng electric fan kasi ganun din ang nangyari dati na walang fan, walang hangin, unless magbayad tayo at ipa-on ang aircon," said Marilyn Antonio, CAP Development Center coordinator.

(I told the organizer to bring an electric fan with them because a similar incident happened before, there was no cool air. Unless you pay, we will turn on the aircon.)

Following the incident, the auditorium will no longer allow anyone to use the venue while the aircon is turned off.

The Department of Education Regional Office XI has yet to comment on the matter.

All eight Grade 7 students were able to recover and perform on stage during their performance on Tuesday.

The Davao City Police Office, on the other hand, reminded parents to look after their children when doing activities outside the school premises.

“Ang mga magulang, especially ang mga nagdala sa mga bata, tingnan natin ang welfare ng mga bata kung kaya ba nila ang whole day na practice o hindi. Kasi ang number one lang dito, ang safety ng mga bata,” said DCPO spokesperson P/Capt. Hazel Tuazon.

(Parents should look after the welfare of their children and check if they can manage to do a whole day of practice. The number one priority here should be the children’s safety.)—Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News