Monday, March 03, 2008 Padilla: Game-o-rama By Nars Padilla Sportscope
AFTER a month of kinship and togetherness as a working outfit, the First Baguio Centennial Commission National Service Training Program Volunteers Core (Centecom NSTP Service Volunteer Core) will stage a game-o-rama at the Burnham Park main grounds on March 9 starting at 9 a.m.
The sportsfest, the first of its kind in the NSTP calendar of activities in the city was carefully planned to provide distinct leadership development opportunities to and among the participants.
The organizers of the special event involving close to 300 student-volunteers in the core acknowledge the truism that "work, work and work without play makes Juan a dull boy!" Hence, the rationale behind the forthcoming game-o-rama.
Of course, the sportsfest is in line with the principles and framework of character building, citizenship training, unity, and teamwork. These are basic ingredients needed to accelerate the development of good leaders and/or good followers.
Centecom NSTP coordinator Vladimir Cayabas, administrative officer of the National institute of Information Technology here in the city, said the contestants will come from the University of Baguio, University of the Cordilleras, AMA Computer Learning Center, Baguio College of Technology, AMA Computer College, NIIT Baguio, National University Baguio, Baptise and PMTI, Medline, STI Baguio, Easter College and Philippine Women's University Baguio.
At least 10 events have been lined up for the tournament of muscles. Cartloads of fun, fellowship and adventure await the contestants! Orlando Basongit of BETI is the program coordinator. He is assisted by Sodina Becya from STI Baguio.
The game-o-rama events include tug-of-war, compass relay, sack races, first aid, message relay, pushing the jeep to test strength and speed, collection games, fire men's drag relay and other I.Q wide games to test "body, mind and spirit." All for enjoyment!
Up for grabs are three beautifully handcraft team championship trophies for the first, second and third placers. The institutions of learning in the NSTP core for the past one and half months since its organization have sustained their cleaning activities in several parks and streets in the locality in consonance with the approved assignment of each group by the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) under Collin Lacsamana. Yours truly serves as adviser of the volunteer service core.
I met sportsman-sports editor Jogin Tamayo at Luisa's Café three days ago. This corner kinly followed the recent cheer-dance festival, which he personally organized and coordinated held at the Easter College Gym in Guisad Valley.
Certainly, the cheer-dance tilt on its third edition was an overwhelming success! The big news is Lorma College from San Fernando City La Union bested the 10 other out-of-town and local teams in the college division. Defending champion University of the Cordilleras was elbowed out of the throne in what Jogin described as a very close and dramatic encounter. UC settled for the first runner-up honors. The Philippine Military Academy team grabbed the second runner-up plum.
In the high school bracket, Pines City National High School (main) retained its championship crown against seven other challengers. The Baguio City National High School Roxas Annex was close behind the leader's pace while its sister annex PCNHS Bonifacio Annex was happy on the third spot.
According to a cheer-dance fan, the gym was packed like sardines, if only to showcase the sports fans quest to quench their thirst for watching the talent, skills, grace and dexterity of performers.
UC and Pines main won the best team captains prizes while the best in uniform teams were SLU and Rizal Annex. Congratulations to all the teams and Jogin, the sportsman!
We are elated to know from newsman Bong Cayabyab that Team Baguio was supreme in the just concluded Caraa athleticfest held in La Trinidad, Benguet.
Team Baguio retained the overall championship plum in both the elementary and high school divisions of the regional sports conclave.
To stay on top, alive and still kicking, Baguio team scored a run away victory without looking back. The top gold, silver and bronze medallist gets on the starting block to claim your cash incentive prize at City Hall. It's just fair and square!
Benguet province, host of the sportsfest pocketed the second overall championship while Mountain Province was third. The fourth place went to Kalinga while the fifth slot went to Ifugao. Arya Abra placed sixth, while on the seventh run was Apayao.
The biggest Team Baguio athletes who pooled in seven gold medals each new are swimmers Reinaldo Bautista III, son of our city Mayor Peter Reinaldo Bautista Jr.; Jasmine Chan swim aces Elijah and Labao. I raise my ungot of tapoey to honor all Team Baguio athletes, coaches, trainers and delegation officials including the members of their kitchen cabinet who all worked as a team to achieve the golden feather on their cap! Mabuhay Team Baguio!
