Prisaa to celebrate 60th anniversary

THE Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) is set to celebrate its 60th anniversary with GMA Network chairman, president and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon on February 10 at the Sison Auditorium, Lingayen Capitol Complex, Pangasinan.

Prisaa National Chairman Emmanuel Y. Angeles said one highlight of the celebration is the presentation of Diamond Jubilee Awards to individuals who have displayed unwavering support to Prisaa.

The awardees are: Atty. Gozon, former PSC Chairperson Atty. Cecilio G. Hechanova, PSC Commissioner Dr. Anthony R. Nicanor, former Philippine Amateur Baseball Association president Hector C. Navasero, and former PSC Executive Segundo T. Gazmin.

"We celebrate Prisaa’s 60 years of perseverance and commitment to sports development. All our efforts have been worthwhile albeit difficult; challenging but certainly life changing for our young athletes," says Angeles.

The long history of Prisaa dates back to 1953 when it was first organized by then Bureau of Private Schools Director Dr. Manuel Carreon, and to 1990 when it was revived through the initiative of Atty. Hechanova.

Under the leadership of Angeles, Prisaa has been successfully staging city, provincial, regional and national games with support from government agencies, LGUs, corporate sponsors, benefactors and friends.

Prisaa today is the country’s largest national sports association with close to 500 member colleges and universities from all 17 regions. Since its revival in 1990 by Angeles and with very minimal support from government, it has been successfully staging city, provincial, regional and national competitions every year geared towards countryside youth development through sports.

Prisaa boasts of having trained and developed sprinters Lydia de Vega and Elma Muros; famous cagers Jerry Codiñera, Marlou Aquino and Joseph Feihl, among many others.