C4C Holds First Sports Tournament in Batanes
by Malu Fabia

At a time when the victory of Team Philippines in the 2005 SEA Games was a national pride, and banking on the sports fever that fills every Filipino home, the Campaign for Change Foundation (C4C) made sure that it would be a merry Christmas to the Ivatans when it staged the opening of the First C for C Sports Tournament in Batanes in December 2005.

The simultaneous conduct of inter-barangay sports competitions in all six municipalities of Batanes – Basco, Mahatao, Ivana, Uyugan, Sabtang and Itbayat started on December 2005 with fitting ceremonies to signal yet another avenue for the Ivatans to display the time-tested traits of strong community spirit and love for friendly competition.

The events for age brackets 39 years old and below and 40 years old and above, both for men and women, are the following:

• Basketball
  
• Softball
  
• Volleyball
  
• Badminton
  
• Lawn Tennis
  
• Table Tennis
  
• Dart
  
• Tug-of-War
  
• Billiards
  
• “Bunong Braso”
  
• Athletics

Inter-barangay games were held every Sunday at various locations such as the Batanes Athletic Field, Batanes State College Auditorium, Batanes Gymnasium, and in the Municipal Athletic Fields and Courts. Championship matches were held last March, with the Founding Chairman, Dr. Carlo D. Diasnes, personally present for the municipal awarding ceremonies. In a message to cap the tournament, Diasnes cited that this first attempt of the Foundation to foster healthy living through sports will be replicated in the future, making it a regular event every two years. He also recognized the volunteers and their precious time, talent and commitment for having stood as officiating officials during the four-month period.

Since its opening, the tournament organizers have been ecstatic of the dynamic participation of the barangays and the support of the provincial and municipal leaderships, teachers, and private volunteers. Such response from the Ivatans was also seen and experienced three years ago when C4C sponsored a sports tournament among 45 barangays in Iloilo, an event that sparked enthusiasm when then Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon and movie star Judy Ann Santos graced the opening rites.

Athletic competitions at all levels have proven to be the finest and strongest driving forces to generate unity in the Province. These events are always something to look forward to, not only because of the importance of experiencing the glory of victory or the graciousness in facing defeats, but because every Ivatan believes that in life’s real playing field, the most essential elements are those that are inherent in sports: strength, strong will, endurance, strategy, teamwork, and pursuit of excellence.







Photo credits: Malu Fabia