|
| | The
opening salvo of the Loon Summer Youth Sportsfest 2008 resonated with a rousing
start at the Loon Sports and Cultural Center which was all a-glitter and reverberating
with torch light and resounding cheers on Sunday evening, May 18, 2008.
"Simply
amazing!", "Two thumbs up…great opening!" were some of the
superlatives expressed by the overflow audience on the activity, which also marked
the culmination of the two-week Summer Youth Camp with the recognition and distribution
of Certificates of Completion to livelihood skills training graduates. |
Innovative
and energetic Loon Mayor Lloyd Peter M. Lopez, M.D. declared the opening of the
games which is anchored on the theme: Paugnat sa Batan-ong Kusog alang sa Maabtik
ug Maakuhong Pag-alagad sa Katilingban. The summer youth sports festival consist
of an Inter-District Basketball Tournament and Inter-District Volleyball (Girls)
Competition.
Prior
to the mayor's official declaration of the opening of the games, a Torch-Lighting
Ceremony led by John Luke Lofranco, bronze medalist, 400m hurdles, Palarong Pambansa
formally opened the 5-hour long program. Bearing torches with Lofranco were the
captains of the different district teams.
One
of Loon's prominent dance groups, the Future Pillars of Napo, offered the Dance
of Praise and Thanksgiving after which followed in succeeding order the welcome
remarks of Jess Anthony Piquero, vice president of the Loon Sangguniang Kabataan
Municipal Federation (SKMF), presentation of the district teams and their beautiful
muses, and the delivery of the Amateur Athlete's Oath by Ezra Guadalquiver.
Providing
gaiety and excitement to the evening were the Cheer Dance Showdown provided by
Districts 1 and 2, and the Search for Miss Loon Summer Youth Sportsfest 2008,
both coordinated by Ms. Joy C. Roferos.
Unanimously
voted as Miss Loon Summer Youth Sportsfest 2008 was lovely, fluent, and talented
Karla Andrea L. Masamayor, muse of District 7 team and daughter of SB Kagawad
Ricky U. Masamayor, District 7 representative.
Equally
stunning in their intermission numbers were Mylene Pedroso, the First Runner-Up
of Miss Loon SidlaKasilak 2007 and 2007 Island City Mall (ICM) Calendar Girl,
and the hip-hop dance groups Fastrack First Gen and Fastrack Junior.
Dr.
Floro T. Ringca, administrator of the TESDA Provincial Training Center based in
Tubigon town was the guest speaker during the recognition of the graduates of
the Loon Summer Youth Camp Livelihood Skills Training. He was assisted in the
distribution of Certificates of Completion by Mayor Lloyd Lopez and Vice Mayor
Edwin R. Ladeza.
The
TESDA certificates consisted of livelihood skills training in Baking/Commercial
Cooking, Welding and Steel Fabrication, Driving, Cosmetology and Hairdressing,
Reflexology and Massage Therapy, and Advance Joomla Website Development.
The
Inter-District Basketball Tournament consist of two divisions, namely, Junior
(21 years old below) and Midget (15 years old below). Seven district teams are
slugging it out in the Junior Division; five teams in the Midget.
Officially
administering the basketball tournament are Basketball Association of the Philippines
(BAP) Loon Chapter officials led by SB Kag. Ignacio M. Castil, Jr., and members
Ferdinand Murcia, Archivald Uy, Joseph Ygay, Ronnie Robenta, Roy Pius Lafuente,
Nick Taylaran, Jerome Tatad, Zaldy Joseph Palma, Ekong Canillo, Egong Meguillo,
and Cosme Mascariñas.
Meanwhile,
currently playing in the all-girl Inter-District Volleyball Competition are the
teams of District 1, 2, 3 and 7. The four other districts opted not to join due
to problems in logistics.
The
volleyball games are officiated by Roy Pius Lafuente, Ruleto Galan, Reynante Lomarda,
Ayen Libasora and Kevin Lafuente.
A
ceremonial toast by Mayor Lloyd Lopez, M.D., Loon SKMF Vice-President Jestoni
Piquero and Miss Loon Sidlakasilak 2007 Maricel Pasilbas capped the evening's
activities.
The
Loon Summer Youth Sportsfest '08 is managed by the Local Government Unit, Loon
Sports Commission and the Loon Sangguniang Kabataan Municipal Federation. | 
