BONTOC, Mountain Province – More children in this capital town are expected to engage in sports following the three-day “Children’s Games Sport for Peace” as part of the activities in celebration of the 109th Founding Anniversary of Bontoc and 13th Am-among Festival.
Participating children below 12 years old from the 16 barangays of Bontoc said they enjoyed the games and wished that the sports fest will be repeated next year.
Among the games conducted are Kadang-kadang, Sangkor, Tufay (Javelin Throw), Fagfagto (Shotput), Sepak Takraw, Archery, Volleyball, Football, Baseball, Softball and Road Run for three-kilometer and five-kilometer categories.
Barangay Tocucan ranked 1st place in Kadang-kadang, Barangay Mainit grabbed 2nd place while Barangays Mainit and Maligcong both landed in 3rd place.
In the Arm Wrestling (Sangkor), Roshin B. Chees overpowered his opponents to make it on top followed by Arnie F. Tanongon and Niko Suangen who emerged second and third, respectively.
For the Tufay (Javelin Throw, Girls), Alma Mae Dongpopen of Barangay Talubin, giving her best shot, landed first place, Bethel Acoking and Adriana Arinaza both of Barangay Samoki grabbed 2nd and 3rd places.
For Javelin Throw-Males, Ranyel Adchak of Barangay Tocucan landed 1st place, Bardent Acachang of Barangay Samoki ranked 2nd and Daryll Docayat from Barangay Mainit got the 3rd place.
For the Shotput-Males, Rushin Chees of Barangay Maligcong got the 1st place, Johnrey Peckley of Barangay Caluttit grabbed the 2nd place and Arnie Tanongon of Barangay Tocucan took the 3rd place.
Erin Napaeg and Alma Dongpopen, both from Barangay Talubin ranked 1st and 2nd place, respectively while Loida Anengyao of Barangay Maligcong landed 3rd place in the Shotput-females.
Barangay Guina-ang dominated the Sepak Takraw that made them in 1st place, followed by Barangay Caluttit in 2nd place and Barangay Maligcong in 3rd place.
For Archery under five meters category (males), Vince Accab of Alab Oriente landed in 1st while Lui Austillo came in 2nd place.
In the Archery under five meters category (females), Shahanie Bagsao got the 1st place and Shawnee Bagangan ranked 2nd place.
Still in Archery under 10 meters category (males), Michael Langaoan of Poblacion came in 1st place, Jeremiah Aswigue of Bontoc Ili ranked 2nd and Ephraim Degay of Poblacion landed 3rd place.
Hope Cherith of Samoki grabbed 1st place while Athalea Fagyan of Caluttit landed 2nd place in the Archery under 10 meters category (females).
In the Archery Olympic Round (males), Jeremiah Aswigue grabbed the 1st place, Billy John Batan of Samoki and Sibley Aligo of Bontoc Ili came in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.
Athalea Fagyan grabbed the 1st place while Hope Cherith Lingbanan came in 2nd place in the Archery Olympic Round for females.
Players of Barangay Tocucan who landed 1st place in Volleyball- Girls brought home a volleyball net and a ball, Barangay Talubin who came in 2nd place got a ball while Barangay Guina-ang ranked 3rd place.
Male volleyball players of Barangay Maligcong who ranked 1st place received a volleyball net and a ball, Barangay Gonogon got a ball being in 2nd place while Barangay Balili landed in 3rd place.
For the Softball, Barangay Poblacion, Barangay Bontoc Ili and Barangay Caluttit ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.
For the Futsal, Barangay Caluttit dominated the game that garnered them 1st place, Saint Vincent Elementary School (SVES) came in 2nd place and Barangay Bontoc Ili landed in 3rd place.
In the three –kilometer run (males), Sibley Limmayog of Barangay Maligcong overrun the other runners which made him in 1st place, Valiant Coycoyen of Barangay Tocucan came in 2nd place while Homer Rude Fongao of Barangay Maligcong and DjeyFaba-an of Barangay Pobalcion, both landed in 3rd place.
In the three-kilometer run (females), Kezeah Queenie Chapiasen of Maligcong ranked 1st place, Sheynalyn Macuses and Lyka Gwen Sabawil, both from Mainit landed 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.
For the five-kilometer run (males), Mark Unnan of Barangay Talubin ran the fastest that made him win the 1st place, Nelson Adan, Jr. of Barangay Maligcong landed 2nd place and Yampan Fingkan of Barangay Bontoc Ili ranked 3rd place.
Barangay Mainit dominated the five-kilometer run with Davie Ann Kilayon (1st place), Mae Charuyen (2nd place), and Shyee Chaogas (3rd place) are from said barangay.
Special Award was also given to the male Youngest Runner, three-year old Drexzel Lingbanan of Barangay Caluttit and female Youngest Runner, five-year old Ishrak Buenafe of Barangay Bontoc Ili.
Manuel G. Bitog, Acting Chief and Person –in- Charge of the Overall Sports Program, of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Sports Facilities Division in his message during the opening program on September 15, 2017 remarked that the PSC chaired by Honorable William I. Ramirez believes that enrichment of skills, techniques and knowledge in sports should start in the grassroots.
Bitog added that this is not only an activity to promote health and wellness, but it is also an opportunity for the children to appreciate sports and identify what kind of sports best interests them.
Bontoc Mayor Franklin C. Odsey and Provincial Sports Development Officer Arnaldo D. Petten joined the parents, barangay officials and municipal officials in expressing their gratitude to the PSC.
Mayor Odsey remarked that this is the first time that games /sports competition for children below 12 years is included in the celebration of the Founding Anniversary of Bontoc, thus, he expressed optimism that more children will engage and excel in sports based from what they have experienced now.
By Alpine L. Killa