MSU-Gensan weaves camaradrie among local HEIs through Hinabi: Sports and Cultural Encounter 2023

The spirit of “Kaibigan, Kalaro, Kasama” was in full swing as Mindanao State University – General Santos City hosts Hinabi: Sports and Cultural Encounter 2023, which brought together four local Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) reflecting the university’s commitment to promoting unity and inclusivity through sports and culture among students in the city, April 26.

Student-athletes from MSU-Gensan and invited participating schools namely, Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU), Cronasia Foundation College

(CFC) Inc., Brokenshire College SOCSKSARGEN Inc., and Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (RMMC) will be competing in a series of friendly home-away games of soccer, softball, men’s basketball, and women’s volleyball.

On his talk explaining the rationale behind Hinabi, Brother Manny de Leon, Event Head Coordinator, provided insight into its purpose and impact on youth development through sports.

“Hinabi in Bisaya is to have a conversation or encounter, in Tagalog is to weave. Our desire is for all the HEIs of Gensan na magkaroon ng conversation, particularly anything that will affect the young people,” Bro. De Leon highlighted.

He also stressed the importance of cultural preservation in collective growth and stated, “We encourage our schools to promote cultural development through the lens of tri-people.”

Heading the Panata ng mga Manlalaro was John Lerry Sulmaca, captain of the MSU-Gensan Basketball Team, and on an interview, he stressed the importance of events like Hinabi for MSUan athletes, highlighting that it was a significant opportunity for them to meet new talents.

“A city without a sense of culture is a city without a soul,” he added.

Wally Acabal, Sports Coordinator of CFC Inc., also expressed his optimism towards the program and its potential to expand to more schools in the future.

“We look forward to having all Higher Education Institutions in the city join Hinabi because it is a great venue for cooperation among HEIs, and we hope that it will become a regional event with more participants,” Mr. Acabal expressed.

Following the opening program, the student-athletes competed in tune-up games for their respective sports.

During a football tune-up game, NDDU football player Gab Geral expressed his anticipation for players to give it their all despite it being only a friendly game.

“Bisa’g friendly game lang, unta mag-show ug competitiveness ang mga players. Ug unta dula-dula lang wala na’y away kay isa lang ta ka football community.,” he said.