Bernie A. Gamiao and Jerlyn-Mae I. Balacang
The 2019 Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet opened at the Apayao Eco-Tourism and Sports Complex before an estimated crowd of 9,000 in a simple, yet, festive, regal and pomp-laden, program, that showcased and paid tribute to, the beauty and rich culture heritage that is known of the Cordillera.
The program started with a grand entrance of the participating delegations from the eight schools divisions in the region, each ushered through the grandstand and to the athletic oval by groups of street dancers clad in colorful outfits, and dishing out a portrayal of the distinct festivals of the seven municipalities of Apayao.
Once at their designated positions at the oval, the host delegation – the Apayao Eagles – led the other delegations through a unity dance, one that capped the true essence of this year’s athletic meet’s slogan “One Team, One Vision.”
Apayao Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr. welcomed guests and participating delegations creatively, delivering his welcome line to each of the delegations in their respective native tongues, to the appreciation and applause of the delegations.
He underscored the tedious path the province has gone through in the preparations for hosting this year’s meet and how “the deep sense of unity amongst all stakeholders – the provincial government, the Department of Education and other national line agencies, the municipal and barangay governments, private and religious sectors – has enabled the province to stand up to seemingly impossible challenge of hosting the games” despite the devastation of the province by super typhoon Ompong in September last year.
“Everyone was called, and everyone responded actively, I hope the fruits of our collective efforts has done justice to the trust entrusted to us by the DepEd in hosting this meet. Here we are once more . . . cannot be prouder, than you everyone, thank you Iyapayaos,” the Governor exclaimed.
Rep. Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang echoed the Governor’s warm welcome to the delegations as she spoke to introduce one of the event’s guests, Senator Cynthia Villar. She lauded the provincial government for hosting the event and the involvement of all local government units and stakeholders in ensuring its successful conduct. She likewise expressed appreciation to the officials of DepEd-CAR for considering the province as venue of the CARAA.
In her keynote address, an obviously impressed Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones congratulated the organizers of the event, and all those involved in the preparation of the activity. “Maraming salamat sa inyong suporta, kung wala kayo, hindi ganito kaganda, hindi ganito ka-colorful ang mga presentations,” she quipped.
“This is not about winning, the most important of all is your target. Beyond winning is how you play the game, the lessons that you have learned and which you will bring with you when you move on from elementary to secondary and onto college, and when you face the real world and deal with real people,” Briones told the participating athletes.
On the other hand, Senator Villar lauded the conduct of the sporting event saying “this kind of sporting event serves as an avenue to divert the youth from illegal drugs, criminality and other lawless acts” aside from being “a very good way to develop various disciplines, teamwork, sportsmanship and passion for excellence among the youth.”
Harry Jones Olivas, wrestling bronze medalist during the Palarong Pambansa 2018 lit the CARAA torch after a symbolic relay through the track oval performed by fellow Palaro 2018 delegates from Apayao. Afterwhich, DepEd Regional Director May Eclar formally declared the 2019 CARAA Meet open.
The Apayao Tribal Ensemble – composed of a thousand students from different schools – capped the opening program with a colorful ground demonstration.