LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Benguet sets the stage for the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) at the Benguet Sports Complex, Wangal, La Trinidad, which officially opened on February 23 with delegations from the six provinces and two cities of Cordillera.
The participating delegations with their team names are the Abra Weavers, Apayao Eagles, Baguio City E-lions, Benguet Stingers, Ifugao Builders, Kalinga Bulls, Mabikas Mountaineers of Mountain Province, and the Coffee Roasters of Tabuk City who paraded from Benguet State University (BSU) to Benguet Sports Complex oval, Wangal, La Trinidad despite the pouring rain.
The theme of the 2025 CARAA meet was dubbed as “Fostering a united and healthier Cordillera through sports.”
During the opening ceremony, keynote speaker Hon. Sonny Angara, the DepEd Secretary, delivered his speech to the 6,197 athletes, coaches, chaperones, and delegation officials from the eight schools division of Cordillera.
“Salamat po sa inyo sa pag-imbita at I know it’s a very challenging time for you. Masasakit na ang mga katawan ninyo malamang, and pagod na pagod kayo but we’re lucky to be here today in the Cordillera, the home to the country’s highest peaks” he enthused. (Thank you for the invitation, and I know it’s a very challenging time for you. You’ve been enduring your weariness, but we’re lucky to be here today in Cordillera, home to the country’s highest peaks.)
He shared a message to the athletes about passing through challenging trails before going to the top.
“Every struggle is a test, but those who refuse to quit will stand at the top, and sports is no different. Alam po ‘yan ng ating mga student athletes na nanalo,” he added.
He also congratulated the Cordillera Administrative Region for topping wushu and taekwondo in the Cebu-hosted Palarong Pambansa or national sports competition, making him look forward to the next tournament.
The ceremony was further graced by Hon. Melchor Diclas, Benguet governor, and Benguet’s Lone District Representative Eric Yap, wherein they shared messages as they welcomed the delegations from the provinces and cities of Cordillera to the Benguet Sports Complex.
“Pag hindi ka naka-gold, let’s learn from it. Gamitin natin yung experience natin to be better. Push each other to be better dahil naniniwala ako na sa darating na Palarong Pambansa ngayong 2025, Cordillera will be a force to be reckoned with,” Yap said to the athletes. (If you didn’t win gold, let’s learn from it. Let’s use our experiences to be better. Push each other to be better because I believe that in the coming Palarong Pambansa, Cordillera will be a force to be reckoned with. By Lyka Capsula
