STELA holds first ever Sportsfest

by Noemi Ruth Bucasan, Krizia Mae Pagusan, and Denver Koby Soriano

BAGUIO CITY, PHILIPPINES – Sporting the theme “Fostering Unity and Camaraderie through

Sports,” the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA) hosted its first ever STELA

Sportsfest held last January 28 at the University of Baguio Cardinals’ Gymnasium.

The program commenced with the parade of the different team colors namely – Black, Blue,

Green, Red, Violet, and Yellow along with the Officiating Team comprised of second year

Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) students from STELA. The parade was followed by the

Lighting of Torch performed by Xavier Villanueva and the Oath of Sportsmanship led by Islay

Erika Bomogao, both BPEd students.

Villanueva is a member of the Philippine Kickboxing Team while Bomogao placed silver at the

30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held last November 2019.

“It is the first time that the two schools fused together,” said student body adviser Vilma

Deponio. “We need to show to the world that in unity, there is really strength. It is in unity; we

could be one in ideology and what we are fighting for.”

Faculty members and students took part in a number of parlor games and sports such as Tug of

War, Hula-hoop Relay, Tumbang Lata, Longest Line, Bread with Rope, Calamansi Relay, Sack

Race, Chess, Scrabble, Game of the Generals, Snakes and Ladders, Volleyball, Basketball and

the Search for the Mr. and Ms. Sportsfest.

Moriah Cimafranca of the Blue Team and Joseph Leo of the Red Team were crowned as Mr.

and Ms. Sportsfest. Candidates of each team color showcased different sports attires and

culminated the pageant with the Question and Answer Portion.

Awarded as the overall champions, Red Team leaders Tristan Quiano and Shary Miguel led the

team to victory with a 358-point overall score bagging numerous awards and besting other

teams with Green as first runner-up, Violet as second-runner up, Blue as third-runner up, Yellow

as fourth runner-up, and Black as fifth runner-up.

“It was really a humbling experience. We did not expect to win, we only expected to have fun,”

said Tristan Quiano. “The only thing we prayed for was to keep us safe and to bless our team

with anything that we deserve.”

Gerald Duagan, one of the student body advisers, reiterated the importance of unity and

camaraderie to the students of STELA. “This is the first STELA Sportsfest and that in itself is the

very foundation of the event. Be the embodiment of the leadership you want. We are sending a

message that this is a community and this is where you belong, we can help you with your

talents and skills, and you can be confident with us.”