Padilla: NCCB Kafagway sports award launching at the Shrine of the Brown Madonna
THE Kafagway Sports International Luminary Awards 32nd anniversary edition will hold its launching rites with a Holy Mass at the Shrine of the Brown Madonna along Km. 7, Asin Road tomorrow morning. The mass will be celebrated by NCCB's Spiritual Adviser, Rev. Fr. Alejandro Formateur of San Pablo Seminary at Crystal Cave. It will start at 9 o'clock in the morning with floral offering and candlelight ceremony by officers of the Shrine's project committee and NCCB members.
The Kafagway Sports Award and Recognition Program is billed at the Silungan Center Social Hall, CSWDO at Upper Session on February 10. The program will start at 9 o'clock in the morning. A core of 22 of the most outstanding international athletes, sports leaders, and institutions from the city and the Cordilleras will be honored, in recongnition of their individual or team achievement, exemplary leadership and sportsmanship in several international competition held overseas in 2017. Their highly meritorious performances gave glory, prestige, and honor not only to themselves but moreso to our city, flag and the country.
Stephen Loman, a 2nd year BS Criminology student from the University of the Cordilleras and sportsman Marques Sangiao, founder of the Team Lakay lead the roll of honor. Last year, Loman won the inaugural World Bantamweight title in the Brave Combat Federation Championship held at Khalifa Sports City in Bahrain. He made history when he knocked out his Indian opponent, Gurdashan, in the first round of their bout. He will be recieving the prestigious "Super Athlete of the Year" trophy. On the other hand, Sangiao will recieve the "Super Coach of the Year" trophy. The coach of the famous Team Lakay was ranked as the second most outstanding MMA Coach in Asia.
The other top awardees are: the young and very talented Iñigo Anton, Carl Jammes Martin and K.J. Natuplag in boxing, and the trio of wushu players Islay Erika, Liane Benito, and Marian Tranyce; senior citizen athletics ace Erlinda Lavandia, Divine Wally for wushu. PWD Para-Olympian Adeline Domapog. Bea Mendoza for girl's chess, Karen Meer Hongitan and Mary Queen Ibañez for archery.
Also in centerstage are the University of the Cordilleras together with its Athletic Director Danilo Cong-o, Team Lakay, trackster Christian Bagsit, sanda player Jomar Balangui, ultra-marathoner Sandi Menchi Abahan, sports patron Jossie Delinila, and the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL).
The major award presenters are Congressman Mark Go, City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Vice Mayor Edison Bilog, City Councilors Faustino Olowan and Benny Bomogao, Prof. Federico Balang, the President/CEO of the BARP Foundation, former RP Olympian Hester Begeoand the Filipino-Japanese Foundation of Norther Luzon, Inc., courtesy of Director Arnel Cabanisas. Jossie Delinila will be the award presenter for the Top Women Athletes.
A simple luncheon will also be a part of the day's events, thanks to the CSWDO Head Betty Fangasan, Councilor Lilia Fariñas, Tony Candelaria of the 50's Diner, City Administrator Carlos Canilao, and US Navy retiree Angel Villalarvo and family.
Last Tuesday morning, for and in behalf of the Baguio homecomer Lourdes Harshburger, my wife Consuelo Sol and yours truly presented several bundles of assorted clothes for men, women, and children. CSWDO Head Betty Fangasan recieved the items with enthusiasm and gratitude on behalf of her office. She said that the clothes will be given out to the victims of calamities here in the city. Mrs. Harshburger was one of the lucky balikbayan awardees last December 30. She journeys back to California regularly to join her family. While in the city, she also manages a free feeding program for children in barangay Pinsao, where she resides. In her letter to Lourdes, Mrs. Fangasan thanked her for her concern and kindness.