Sec. Briones visits Apayao Eagles athletes
Luna, Apayao - Sec. Leonor M. Briones of DepEd visited the athletes of Apayao billeted at Tumog Elementary School and Tumog National Agricultural and Trade High School here on Feb. 26, 2019, around 4 pm. With Briones were Usec Revsee A. Escobedo, Director Demetria Manuel, Regional Director May B. Eclar, Schools Division Supt. Ronald B. Castillo, Asst. Schools Division Supt. Samuel T. Egsaen and CID Chief Joy D. Saleng. Mayor Josephine M. Bangsil of Luna joined said DepEd officials.
In her speech before the athletes and coaches, Briones said she intended to visit the athletes of Apayao first as the province is hosting the CARAA Meet, the reason why her visit. She inspired the athletes that the yApayao learners are competitive citing Atty. Julaida T. Pancho, the provincial treasurer, her student then when she was professor at Silliman University in Dumaguete City. The secretary was impressed of the fluency of the yApayaos in the English language.
Meanwhile, Briones urged the athletes to compete to improve performance. She said that involvement in sports activities is actually a very good training ground. It’s not only good for the body but the discipline it inculcates like team work and following instructions.
Briones also appreciated how the yApayaos treat one another despite the diversity of ethnicity. Apayao has 21 ethnic groups according to records from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) here. (Suzelle C. Enciso)