HS, College teams battle in Beach Volley Fest

Island Garden City of Samal – It was a clash of wit, flair, and strategy as various high school and college volleyball teams duked it out for the first Blue Knights @ Bluejaz Beach Volley Festival held at Bluejaz Beach Resort and Waterpark last weekend, Aug. 23-24.

According to Event Organizing Head Mario Mojica, the tournament aims to promote beach volleyball.

“The purpose of the event is to give a playing venue for the players, [and] to show their skills in playing beach volleyball, kasi ang beach volleyball, wala, ginakaligtaan na. So this is the first na katuyuan na ma-develop ang sport.

“This is an Olympic sport. So, kinahanglan, naa pud ta’y ma-develop nga players ani,” he added.

Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) triumphed against DMMA College of Southern Philippines (DCPS) in the College-Men’s Division championship. University of Mindanao (UM) Tagum placed third.

In the College-Women’s Division finals, UM Davao B defeated UM Tagum, while UM Davao A settled for third place.

UM Tagum A came out strong in the High School-Boys Division vs. Pablo Lorenzo National High School, who placed over UM Tagum B for second and third place, respectively.

It was an all-in victory for Tagum National High School in the High School-Girls Division, as Tagum NHS B took home gold and Tagum NHS A clinched silver, with UM Tagum rounding off the top three.

When asked on how it felt to have both of her teams playing against each other for the High School-Girl’s Division championship round, Tagum NHS A and B Coach Felannie Caasi was elated.

“Pirti jung lipaya kay wala man jud mi nag-expect nga [makasulod sa championship] because ang [mga] kalaban nila is kusog then praktisado kaayo. Wala pud mi practice nga pareha sa preparasyon nga gihimo sa [mga] kalaban,” she said.

The victory was made even sweeter for Caasi, as the event was nothing short of a family affair; her daughters play for Tagum NHS B, her son for UM B, and her husband coaches the latter.

Edmar Flores of HCDC, the College-Men’s Division champions, said that the success was not only his.

“Happy mi kay bisa’g init kayo ang adlaw, napaningkamutan namo na madaog mi. Salamat kaayo labi na kay God, salamat kay naa siya, ug sa amung ubang teammates nga naga-support, sa amuang school, ug labi na sa nagpadula, Ateneo, daghang salamat,” he said.

The two-day tournament was made even more exciting with activities such as the Island Foam Party which featured DJ Torch and Wacky Masbad, and a Fire Dance presentation.

RESULTS:

•College – Men’s Division
Champion: HCDC
1st Runner-up: DCSP
2nd Runner-up: UM Tagum

•College – Women’s Division
Champion: UM Davao B
1st Runner-up: UM Tagum
2nd Runner-up: UM Davao A

•High School – Men’s Division
Champion: UM Tagum A
1st Runner-up: Pablo Lorenzo NHS
2nd Runner-up: UM Tagum B

•High School – Women’s Division
Champion: Tagum NHS B
1st Runner-up: Tagum NHS A
2nd Runner-up: UM Tagum


This article was published by Atenews, the official student publication of the Ateneo de Davao University, under the same author. For more university news updates, go to Atenews.

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Photo Fiasco: The 2013 NSPC Archive

The overwhelming experience at Ormoc still lingers my memories though this year's National Schools Press Conference has already signed off a month now - it still is fresh and very much alive.

It is in my humble beginnings that I became aware how big a writer will be if the very least of his fruit of labors is being a participant of the coveted confab. In a writer's case, if you have already paved your way throughout the NSPC, that only means one thing - you belong to the elite, the ones I consider as a natural gift and not a synthetic talent.

As my journey ends with my senior year just around the corner, the challenge was another regional victory and qualify for the Pampanga nationals in April next year. In any circumstance, as humble as I can bare these words, I now am part of the elite, and the reputation of being a national qualifier just recently will be put to a ruination if I face not only the brink of failure but failure itself. I may now be feared by my fellow contenders but I, myself must confess that I also am afraid of what surprises the future might bring. But there is no backing out now, it's now or never, it's do or die, confidence must kill the fear within me, within myself. 

And when the time comes, my battle cry for my slot at the nationals begins. No matter what occurrences may come, I will fight. I need to win this. 

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What's Up, Cebu!

Chronicling the Queen City of the South only means one thing - royalty. Not literally do I mean rich but this stunning place is wealthy of landmarks and a history's comfort zone.

After the coveted national press tilt in Ormoc City, we were given a chance to drop by in Cebu and stroll for at least three hours before taking our flight to Davao. Although we only get to see its beauty in a short span of time, I was already astonished with the vibrant atmosphere the Cebuanos were showcasing, and the influence the Spaniards left was truly worth our sightseeings.

It was Saturday morning, April 13th, when the three-hour wander finally began. It was a scorching hot day for a visit at Sto. Niño Church. The Spanish heritage site was spectacular inside, and out and I would like to commend how exquisite the enormous altar is. But it isn't just it. What's really up for the tour was the gorgeous grotto of Sto. Niño just resting inside. Get up close and personal, and pray.

The Spanish heritage doesn't stop there, just outside the church waiting for you to feel its ambiance is the spledid Magellan's Cross - with Koreans, literally! Aside from the huge cross placed at the center, what's really seeking my attention were these neighboring Asian tourists. Though I'd rather get some picture with the city hall right in front, where the whole controversial suspension  story of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia took place.

Before we arrived at the very end of our tour, some mall relaxation embraced ourselves. Hello, SM City Cebu! Well, off course, it was the bookstore I went right after I was inside. It was satisfying, the whole city extravaganza, the entire Cebu escapade. It was royalty.

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Nature Unmasked!

You can never say you have witnessed the true beauty of Ormoc if you will never visit the stunning Lake Danao.

Bonus! The National Schools Press Conference was already jam-packed that having a tour with nature is a plus!

My father during the crossing of the lake

The day after my event took place, the whole Davao Oriental family of delegates grabbed the time to relax with the grandeur and ecstasy Ormoc can offer - and it was none other than visiting the famed Lake Danao, where lush virginal rainforests are living quietly.

The visitation was super-sulit for we can really feel the ambiance that nature is conjuring - heartwarming cold breeze of fresh air. The sidetrip was unimaginable. As I observe the vast trees that surround the landlocked body of water, I somehow forgot that Ormoc was hit by a great typhoon some 20 years ago. It was as though these yamang lupa wasn't harmed at all because the entire area was absolutely intact.

The lush pine trees

Exhilaration! Thus the only word I remember when we started crossing the water to get a clearer view of the superb scenery. Amazing were the diverse species of trees and flowers situated within the forests. As I get a view with the pine trees, it felt like I was already at the City of Pines itself - astounding!

But what's the most important part of the travel to the lake was that the preservation and care of the people there was secure - something I would want Cateel's wealthy wildlife to have now that it is in the brink of danger after the aftermath 'Pablo' has left.

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Bringing Legacy

Stiff competition has commenced at Ormoc's earth during the just-concluded 2013 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) last April 7-12 where best of the best campus journos in the entire country get together to outwit one another, and it was nothing but priceless just to be part of such national event.

Placing as champion in Copyreading and Headline Writing Filipino (my event) during the regional tilt (RSPC) of Region XI at Panabo City last January 24-26 brought me at the haven of the Leytean city. It is such a great honor to imagine that you are bringing the legacy of not only your school, or your municipality, or even your province, but most especially your region, and to be given the opportune time to participate in such event is the least of the prize!

But even before we reach the land of the Eastern Visayas region, the unprecedented travel was already a great addition to the memoir of my entire campus journalism journey. My first flight almost didn't happen because of our late arrival at the Davao International Airport, late afternoon of April 6. We even became chance passengers bound for Ormoc City after we arrived at the Queen City of the South - Cebu.That occurrence, though completely tiring was already precious.

Even though I didn't place in the national tilt, I still get to travel, to compete, and most of all to make friends, and that's much, much better than winning. :D

Remember, there's still one more year for me to show off - and make the most out of it!

National Schools Press Conference

2014 NSPC Venue:

Pampanga (Region 3)

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