Both DepEd and political officials might have considered the old adage “One word is enough for the wise” before they attended the Civic Parade and Opening Program of the annual Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) 2017 at the Baguio Athletic Bowl, Baguio City on Feb. 4
This is because they have shared to more or less four thousand athletes and sports officials inspiring punch lines, with just two or three words, which they have incorporated in their speeches.
Escobedo to CAR athletes: Walang impossible
“Walang impossible! (There’s no impossible)”
Revsee A. Escobedo, assistant secretary on Procurement Service of the DepEd, boldly and repeatedly emphasized this in his message as the keynote speaker in the said regional sports event.
He explained that Olympic Silver Medalist Hidilyn Diaz has proven that there is no impossible.
“Walang impossible. It is a reminder to hold grit to your dreams and to persevere against the odds.”
“Walang imposible. It is a mandate that holds our athletes today that we, too, can defy gravity,” he stressed.
He added that sports teach life-long learning to athletes.
“Sports is a proven effective way for our youth to learn how to overcome aggressively. Through sports teach values and lesson while keeping our youth healthy,” Escobedo said.
Domogan to CAR athletes: Never give up!
Never give up!
This was the concluding line of Baguio City Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan in his message to CAR athletes as host mayor of the CARAA 2017.
He said that the athletes should not be discouraged but to continue achieving their dreams in life.
“Build your dreams and inspire others,” he further underscored.
He continued, “I’ll share with you the shortest message of Sir Winston Churchill as the Commencement speaker … ‘Never give up!’”
Go to CAR athletes: I believe in you
I believe in you athletes!
Baguio City Congressman Mark Go enunciated this in his speech as host congressman of the CARAA 2017.
“You are champions with a brave heart!” he added.
Meanwhile, he featured Edward Folayang as a testimony that Cordillerans can compete internationally.
Eduard Folayang, a member of the Team Lakay in Benguet province, is a Filipino mixed martial artist and wushu practitioner who fights in ONE Championship, where he is the current Lightweight Champion.
“I know he (Folayang) will serve as an inspiration to all of you, players,” he said.
- Augustin A. Dao-anis