BAGUIO City Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Congressman Marques Go, two of the city's leading key officials will grace the 32nd anniversary edition of the prestigious Kafagway International Sports Luminary Award (KISLA) program this morning billed at the Silungan Center Social Hall of the City Social and Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) at Upper Session Road.
The program starts at 9 a.m., and will be marked by the lighting of the torch, which signifies talent, skills, and friendship.
Junior athlete, Iñigo Anton, the youngest reigning car racing champion in the Philippines, will serve as the torchbearer, while senior citizen Erlinda Lavandia of Team Philippines' Track and Field core titlist will light the torch.
Veteran Scouter Haydee will lead the opening prayer while the CSWDO social workers will sing the Baguio Hymn. Betty Fangasan, CSWDO Department Head and my co-chairman in the annual Silahis ng Pasko sa Baguio will give the opening remarks. She is also the adviser of the KISLA project. After her welcome remarks, Mayor Domogan will deliver his inspirational and congratulatory message, followed by Congressman Go.
Both gentlemen, who happen to be sportsmen as well, are deeply interested and vigorous in supporting the development programs of our beautiful Baguio and region.
As announced earlier by the tri-media, athlete Stephen Loman, the newly-crowned Brave Combat Federation (BCF) world bantamweight champion, Mark Sangiao, the second best MMA coach in Asia, and former ONE world lightweight champion Edward Folayang will head the cast of 26 awardees.
Loman, a 2nd year B.S. in Criminology student will be receiving the "Super Athlete of the Year" award, while his mentor, Mark Sangiao, will be receiving the "Super Coach of the Year" plum. He is the founder-coach of Team Lakay, where Loman, Folayang, and other outstanding international martial artists from the city and other parts of the region are active members.
Folayang, who lost his championship belt last year will receive the "KISLA Sportmanship Award". Because, despite his loss, he still exhibited the highest degree of modesty and humbleness.
The University of the Cordilleras (UC), headed by Rey Dean Salvosa won the "KISLA Educational Institution Award" for producing the biggest number of martial artists - competing in the national and international arenas - and sports leaders of world class caliber for the past decade, which includes Loman, Folayang, women's Wushu world champion Divine Wally, and Mark Sangiao, among others. UC Athletic Director Danilo Cong-o will be cited as the "Athletic Director of the Year".
Team Lakay will be honored as the "Team of the Year". The Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) will be crowned as the "Sports Event of the Year".
Also in the roll of honors are boxers Carl Jammes Martin and K.J. Natuplag, PWD RP para-olympian Adeline Domapog, girls chess champion Bea Mendoza, archers Kareel Meer Hongitan and Mary Queen Ibañez. Muay Thai internationalist Islay Erika, Liane Benito, and Marian Tranyce, ultra-marathon ace Sandi Menchi Abahan, wushu warrior Jomar Balangui, track star Christian Bagsit, and of course, Iñigo Anton, and Lavandia.
Sharing the podium with the KISLA achievers are several government agencies and private institutions as well as civic-minded personalities who actively supported or participated in the various activities of Silahis ng Pasko 2017. They will be honored for their contributions that had paved the way for the immense success of our Christmas program last year.
At the fore are the Philippine Military Academy, PHASES Learning Center, SLU SVP Housing Cooperative, Baguio homecomers Angel Villalarvo and family, as well as Jossie Delinila, Reverend Father Alejandro Bangilan, Reverend Father Jeffrey Habado, the BARP Foundation, Federation of Senior Citizens Assocations, PGRA Baguio Chapter, couple Wilfredo and Brenda Leyson, and Raffy Policarpio of the Shrine of the Brown Madonna, and the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.
The Philippine Information Agency-CAR, Aileen Refuerzo of the PIO at the City Hall, ABS CBN TV Patrol Northern Luzon, GMA TV Amianan, and PTV 8 will lead the group of tri-media awardees. Also in the pool of awardees are the Baguio Midland Courier, SunStar Baguio, Baguio Chronicle, Amianan Ngayon, Herald Express, NORDIS, Highland Plains, Northern Philippine Times, and the Baguio Colorworld Computer Graphics. Radio outfits DZWT 540, BOMBO Radyo Philippines-Baguio, Radyo Pilipinas Baguio, and a cast of national correspondents and photojournalists complete the list of awardees and honorees. In the fore are Zaldy Comanda fo Manila Bulletin/Balita, Andy Zapata of the Philippine Star, Mau Victa of Business Today, Tom Picana of Times Journal, Frank Cimatu of Daily Inquirer, and Milo Brioso of SunStar Baguio.
At this point in time, we would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the award presentors, led by Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Congressman Go, homecomer Denila, the Filipino-Japanese Foundation, Northern Luzon Inc. led by Director Arnel Cabanisas, City Councilors Benny Bomogao and Faustino Olowan, Prof. Federico Balanag and former Philippine Olympian Hector Begeo.
Media man Pigen Lobien will serve as the master of ceremonies while yours truly will preside during the presentation of awardees and their respective awards.
Thank you also to Councilor Lilia Fariñas, City Administrator Carlos Canilao, Tony Candelaria, the Leyson couple from Urdaneta City, Mrs. Policarpio, adn the CSWDO joint host of the fellowship lunch to be held after the awards program.