The annual sportfest of Elsie Gaches Village (EGV) was held last April 22-29, 2019 with the theme “Maliksing Pangangatawan, Matalas na Kaisipan tungo sa Luntian na Kapaligiran.”
EGV’s Sportsfest 2019 is a week-long celebration with various games and activities facilitated each day to promote physical fitness, sportsmanship and camaraderie among its residents and staff. Participants were divided into four (4) teams wearing costumes from the show Encantadia. The teams were named Hatoraya Red, Sapiro Green, Lireo Blue, and Adamya Yellow.
The event began through a formal opening ceremony. The teams had their parade, followed by the lighting of torch led by selected EGV residents which signaled the start of the games, and thereafter, all went for a Zumba. All groups heated up the Multi-Purpose Hall with their loud cheers and dance moves. The activity continued with relay games in which they have 4 stations, enabling the team members to execute their abstract and gross motor skills, communication, cooperation and strategic planning skills as they finished the challenges.
The second part of the celebration included Board games such as chess and dama, Uno card game, and Jengga.
However the second day was cancelled as Government work was suspended after the 6.2 magnitude earthquake. Due to this, activities scheduled for the second day were compressed to Day 3. These include Bocce, Agawang Itlog, Sack Race, and Croquet.
On the later part of day three, each team rolled all-out support for their players at the basketball elimination game. Residents and staff were combined to form teams. Everyone was so eager to win the battle for championship, but the yellow team and the blue team were the ones who stood up and made it to the final round. Blue team concluded the basketball match with the score of 54-51 in favor of them.
On the fourth day, the staff and residents enjoyed the volleyball elimination games. Teams Hatorya Red and Sapiro Green gave everyone a close fight during the final round and luckily, through hard work and coordination, the Green team won.
On the fifth day, the most awaited part of the Sportsfest 2019 was held. The awarding ceremony for the Mr. and Ms. Sports Fest Sangre and Mulawin Edition got the audience very excited and energetic, as the good looking pairs from each team were presented to compete for the titles. Each pair gave their best shot as they ramped wearing their chosen sports attire, casual attire, and, their Rampionista attire – an attire made with recycled materials, patterned to appear like an armor from Encantadia. Aside from the presentation and creativity, a question and answer portion was held as part of the criteria for judging. All the teammates were very supportive as they cheered their lungs out and flaunted their banners. To end, Ms. April Baliguat (Mulawin) and Mr. Ryan Garlit (Sangre) from the yellow team won the crown as Mr. and Ms. Sportsfest 2019.
All the heads of the center were very cooperative as they actively participated in games wherein they had to eat bananas and singkamas. They even did the chubby bunny (eating of marshmallow), and played a game wherein the girls will have to eat peanuts and pasta on a diaper, and the boys will have to eat ketchup and pasta on a napkin.
Everyone felt that their efforts and hardwork have paid-off as they received the trophies and certificates which symbolize their sportsmanship and competitiveness. Hatorya Red Team sported their way to the top, seconded by Sapiro Green Team, followed by Adamya Yellow Team and lastly, the Lireo Blue Team.
Sportsfest is an opportunity not only to have fun, but also to promote physical fitness and sportsmanship. Values of cooperation, fairness, and sportsmanship were also instilled, regardless which team won or defeated. In the end, the bonding, the enjoyment, and the friendship are all that matters.
Elsie Gaches Village is a residential care facility which provides care and rehabilitation to the abandoned and/or neglected children with special needs. It is located at Alabang-Zapote Road, Muntinlupa City.
###