TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Cordillera Administrative Region Association of State Universities and Colleges (CARASUC) Athletic Meet and Culture & the Arts Festival 2023 formally opened at the Kalinga Sports Center today with around 2,000 students from the six state universities and colleges in the region participating.
The opening ceremony started with a parade of the delegates from Kalinga State University (KSU), Benguet State University, Apayao State College, Abra State Institute of Science and Technology, Ifugao State University, and Mountain Province State Polytechnic College.
KSU is hosting the regional event which is being held in-person for the first time since the pandemic. It features competitions in various sporting events as well as sociocultural contests.
In a message delivered by his executive assistant Henry Gupaal, Mayor Darwin Estrañero welcomed the delegates to Tabuk City and touted the CARASUC meet not only as a venue for the participants to hone their athletic skills but also to develop cultural consciousness.
“Every year we bring our students to play and compete in the different sports activities with the end goal of promoting understanding and excellence, and also to share amongst themselves the cultural values that will enhance their personalities and help them mature as good citizens of this country,” he said.
Delivering the keynote speech was Kalinga District Representative Allen Jesse Mangaoang who emphasized the importance of staging events like the CARASUC meet to foster teamwork which he said is valuable in nation building.
“I always believe in the true value of the of sports in nation building as your theme highlights. We need the value of team work that’s badly needed in the present time. More than ever, the spirit of team work is most demanded today because of the many upheavals we are facing. That team work can be best nurtured in sporting events like the CARASUC meet, so we have to step up in this event because it gives as the opportunity to elevate our caliber as individuals and team athletes,” Mangaoang said.
Also gracing the ceremony was provincial legal officer Atty. John Paul Baguiwan who was representing Governor James Edduba and other guests.
The CARASUC Athletic Meet and Culture & the Arts Festival 2023 will run until April 21, 2023.