Spirited send-off given to Filipinos student-athletes
By AJ Siytangco
Published Jul 19, 2018 04:06 pm
By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
The Department of Education (DepEd) reminded Filipino student-athletes who are set to compete at the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Schools Games (ASG) in Malaysia to put their "best effort" to make the country proud.
DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali, Assistant Secretary Revsee Escobedo, and other officials together with the student-athletes representing the Philippines in the 10th ASEAN Schools Games, did the pose for their official sports yell, “Team Pilipinas – Pilipinas, Puso.”
(DEPED RO IX / MANILA BULLETIN) DepEd, in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), recently held a pre-departure orientation and pep rally for the student-athletes who will serve as the country’s delegation to this year’s ASG which starts today, July 19 to 26, in Kuala Lumpur. The orientation aimed to brief the student-athletes in preparation for their participation in 2018 ASG. They were given an overview of the annual games, discussion of house rules and agreements, and provision of general information about Malaysia. DepEd said the student-athletes will compete in various sporting events that include athletics, badminton, basketball, gymnastics, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, volleyball, and squash. Filipino pride Meanwhile, DepEd Assistant Secretary and Palarong Pambansa Secretary-General Revsee Escobedo addressed the 228-strong delegation. “Sa pagsuot ng uniporme, nandiyan po nakatatak ang bandila ng Pilipinas. Nire-represent ninyo ang Pilipinas, hindi lamang ang inyong pamilya, ang inyong kamag-anak, kundi tayo, kami, lahat ng mamamayang Pilipino. (When you wear your uniform, you carry the Philippine flag, you represent the Philippines not juts your families, your relatives, but all of us, the Filipino citizens),” he said. For his part, Undersecretary Tonisito M.C. Umali Esq., Head of Delegation and representative of DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones to the ASEAN Schools Sports Council (ASCC), pointed out that “more than winning medals, it is equally important to know why they are joining ASG.” Umali reminded the delegates that they are there to “to promote ASEAN solidarity through sports” and the event also becomes “an opportunity for us to show our talents – benchmark with other countries.” The ASG, he noted, may also serve as an indicator to gauge the skills of other student-delegates from neighboring countries. “Malaman natin kung gaano na ba kagagaling itong ibang bansa na kasama natin sa ASEAN… tayo ba ay may ginagawa na palagay ba natin ay dapat nating paghusayin para malaman natin kung tayo ay kapantay o humihigit na ba tayo sa kanila? (We might be able to find out how good the other countries are in ASEAN, if we are doing something to improve ourselves to find out also if we are in the same level as they are or are we better?), he said, Umali reminded the event “aims to promote cultural exchange.” He also shared that before the implementation of K to 12, “only student-athletes aged 16 years old and below under the basic education were allowed to join ASG.” Meanwhile, PSC Commissioner Raymond Maxey noted that “not everyone is given the chance to compete for your country.” Thus, since the student-athletes have that you're part of the Philippine team for the 10th ASEAN Schools Games, they should “make the most out of it.” He also encouraged them to “do your best, represent your country in this international competition.” Maxey added that the PSC “will always support” every endeavor of DepEd, especially the Palarong Pambansa, in which medalists are given the opportunity to join the ASG. The PSC also gave the student-athletes tracksuits, training shirts, and luggage – similar luggage that will be used by the national athletes to the Asian Games in August. Likewise, partners and stakeholders also provided training shirts, and jackets for the student-athletes, and shirts and jackets for the officials, which they will wear at the opening ceremony of the 10th ASG. The Philippine delegation also composed their official sports yell, “Team Pilipinas – Pilipinas, Puso,” during the orientation. The officials further announced that the Philippines will host the ASG in 2020. The Philippines last hosted ASG in 2014 wherein it won the most number of medals since joining the annual games.
DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali, Assistant Secretary Revsee Escobedo, and other officials together with the student-athletes representing the Philippines in the 10th ASEAN Schools Games, did the pose for their official sports yell, “Team Pilipinas – Pilipinas, Puso.”(DEPED RO IX / MANILA BULLETIN) DepEd, in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), recently held a pre-departure orientation and pep rally for the student-athletes who will serve as the country’s delegation to this year’s ASG which starts today, July 19 to 26, in Kuala Lumpur. The orientation aimed to brief the student-athletes in preparation for their participation in 2018 ASG. They were given an overview of the annual games, discussion of house rules and agreements, and provision of general information about Malaysia. DepEd said the student-athletes will compete in various sporting events that include athletics, badminton, basketball, gymnastics, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, volleyball, and squash. Filipino pride Meanwhile, DepEd Assistant Secretary and Palarong Pambansa Secretary-General Revsee Escobedo addressed the 228-strong delegation. “Sa pagsuot ng uniporme, nandiyan po nakatatak ang bandila ng Pilipinas. Nire-represent ninyo ang Pilipinas, hindi lamang ang inyong pamilya, ang inyong kamag-anak, kundi tayo, kami, lahat ng mamamayang Pilipino. (When you wear your uniform, you carry the Philippine flag, you represent the Philippines not juts your families, your relatives, but all of us, the Filipino citizens),” he said. For his part, Undersecretary Tonisito M.C. Umali Esq., Head of Delegation and representative of DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones to the ASEAN Schools Sports Council (ASCC), pointed out that “more than winning medals, it is equally important to know why they are joining ASG.” Umali reminded the delegates that they are there to “to promote ASEAN solidarity through sports” and the event also becomes “an opportunity for us to show our talents – benchmark with other countries.” The ASG, he noted, may also serve as an indicator to gauge the skills of other student-delegates from neighboring countries. “Malaman natin kung gaano na ba kagagaling itong ibang bansa na kasama natin sa ASEAN… tayo ba ay may ginagawa na palagay ba natin ay dapat nating paghusayin para malaman natin kung tayo ay kapantay o humihigit na ba tayo sa kanila? (We might be able to find out how good the other countries are in ASEAN, if we are doing something to improve ourselves to find out also if we are in the same level as they are or are we better?), he said, Umali reminded the event “aims to promote cultural exchange.” He also shared that before the implementation of K to 12, “only student-athletes aged 16 years old and below under the basic education were allowed to join ASG.” Meanwhile, PSC Commissioner Raymond Maxey noted that “not everyone is given the chance to compete for your country.” Thus, since the student-athletes have that you're part of the Philippine team for the 10th ASEAN Schools Games, they should “make the most out of it.” He also encouraged them to “do your best, represent your country in this international competition.” Maxey added that the PSC “will always support” every endeavor of DepEd, especially the Palarong Pambansa, in which medalists are given the opportunity to join the ASG. The PSC also gave the student-athletes tracksuits, training shirts, and luggage – similar luggage that will be used by the national athletes to the Asian Games in August. Likewise, partners and stakeholders also provided training shirts, and jackets for the student-athletes, and shirts and jackets for the officials, which they will wear at the opening ceremony of the 10th ASG. The Philippine delegation also composed their official sports yell, “Team Pilipinas – Pilipinas, Puso,” during the orientation. The officials further announced that the Philippines will host the ASG in 2020. The Philippines last hosted ASG in 2014 wherein it won the most number of medals since joining the annual games.