Emerald swimmers haul 7 golds in day 2 of CAVRAA meet
HONE VALUES, CHARACTER
SS. GANNOD AND JOHN BERNARD D. RAMIREZ
enator Mark A. Villar and Department of Education (DepEd) Assistant Secretary for Field Operations Francis Cesar B. Bringas graced the grand opening ceremony of the 2024 Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic (CAVRAA) Meet at the City of Ilagan Sports Complex, April 26, 2024.
Sen. Villar and Asec. Bringas urged the more than 4000 athletes from the nine divisions of Region 02 not to just play solely for the medal but also look into other significant treasures they could gain from the
competition.
The keynote speaker, Senator Villar, said, “Isa lang ang magkakagold medal, but in the end, all of you here today are winners. There are no losers in sports.”
Villar, who advised the athletes to maximize their efforts and must have grit to successfully reach their goal, also mentioned that joining sports event is not all about winning a medal but more importantly, winning because of gaining so much life lessons to live on from the experience.
MARCIAL S. CACAL
SDO-Isabela recorded an early victory in day 2 of the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) meet after its elementary and secondary swimmers collared seven golds, three silvers, and six bronzes.
Chadcel Shane Patricio and Thea Carmen Cayetano contributed two golds as they ruled 50m butterfly and 100m backstroke (elementary girls) respectively.
Meanwhile, the teamwork of Madriaga, Carredo, Pasion, and Manguba added another gold into Isabela’s gold chest after reigning in 4x50m medley (elementary boys).
Claire Avril Maneclang pitched in three medals as she snatched the gold in 800m freestyle (secondary girls), silver in 400m freestyle, and another gold in 4x50m medley with Garcia, Baloloy, and Garcia while JC Garcia took the top spot for 50m butterfly.
Eric Virgilio Reyes brought home for the Emerald delegation the first gold from secondary boys after nosing out Vince Russel Javier of Tuguegarao City.
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JENNIFER
CAVRAA swimming TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR
SOURCE:
IGNITING FRIENDSHIP. CAVRAA-raised Amelyn S. Pagulayan of the City of Ilagan leads the lighting of the friendship urn with the representatives of the nine competing delegations during the opening of the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association meet at City of Ilagan Sports Complex, April 26, 2024. I photo by MARCIAL S. CACAL
MARK OF INSPIRATION. Members of the Emerald delegation seize a photo opportunity with Senator Mark A. Villar, the keynote speaker during the opening of the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association meet on April 26, 2024. I photo by MARCIAL S. CACAL
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Marcial Cacal
Marcial Cacal
VALUING THE PROCESS
As the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) meet unfolds, a compelling message is instilled that transcends the mere pursuit of victory: to compete with integrity and savor the joy of the game. This core principle embodies the true spirit of athletic endeavors.
These viewpoints were conveyed by two key figures, Department of Education (DepEd) Assistant Secretary for Field Operations Francis Cesar B. Bringas and Senator Mark A. Villar, in their messages addressed to all competing athletes in the regional arena. Despite the intense pressure and desire to win their games, participants should value
the rich experience and life lessons gained.
Further echoing this sentiment, Senator Villar reminded athletes that while only one would claim the gold medal, every participant is a winner in their own right. This emphasizes the intrinsic value of participation that goes beyond the competition. Whatever the result may be, the true worth of all efforts and dedication poured by each athlete is equal to the amount of meaningful life stories they had acquired in the process.
To achieve this end-goal, rather than solely emphasizing winning, coaches should cultivate an environment where athletes appreciate the journey, embracing integrity, camaraderie, and
editorial board
editor-in-chief
ANTHONY M. NAVOR
associate editor
GLENDA I. PIRA
managing editor
TIMOTEO H. BAHIWAL
news editor
JOSE RAFAEL P. GUIYAB
features editor
GLENDA I. PIRA
sports editor
MARLOU B. YADAO
layout artists
LEONARD A. GELACIO
ROWENA LYN C. TUCAY
JHUN P. BAUTISTA
ALEXANDER B. RESPICIO
chief photojournalist
MARCIAL S. CACAL
chief graphics artist
CALIXTO O. CALIXTO
contributors
LABI L. UPAM, JR.
VERGIL ACE B. DELA PEÑA
JENNIFER S. GANNOD
ROBERTO U. ESPAÑOL
JHERYL KAYE B. NAVALTA
RONALD Y. BASUBAS
VALEN JOY B. REYES
MICHAEL KEVIN A. MONFORTE
AILEEN JOY S. MORA
DON ANGELO V. DE GUZMAN
BEVERLYN C. RAMIREZ
MARJORIE T. MILLAN
circulation & production managers
ROY JOHN CRUZ
EMMANUEL BERNARDINO
publication director
JAY J. GALLEGOS
consultants
SGOD CHIEF JESUS D. ANTONIO, PhD
CID CHIEF MARIETESS B. BAQUIRAN, PhD
ASDS MARY JULIE A. TRUS, PhD, CESO VI
ASDS WILMA C. BUMAGAT, PhD, CESO VI
SDS RACHEL R. LLANA, PhD, CESO V
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sportsmanship along the way. By prioritizing enjoyment, character development, and values formation over mere victory, athletes learn to cherish the process, recognizing it as the true essence of their efforts, beyond mere triumph or defeat.
With these ideals in mind, the CAVRAA Meet goes beyond its role as a mere platform in choosing the best athlete to represent the region for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa 2024 in Cebu City. It is also an avenue to nurture and enrich the lives of our young competitors.
With fair play and enjoyment at its core, these athletes are not just contenders but ambassadors of sportsmanship and excellence.
Whatever the result may be, the true worth of all efforts and dedication poured by each athlete is equal to the amount of meaningful life stories they had acquired in the process.
editorial 02
Isabela
The Isabela
reyes resolve
He went down to the point of giving up his passion in swimming after losing medals during his early attempts to join sports meet at a municipal level. But his passion ignited the spark from within to keep going…
Eric Virgilio L. Reyes recalled how he loved this sport, starting from early grades at Alicia Central School, where his several attempts to snatch awards in swimming was a failure. It should have been a turning point to his dream to become a good swimmer but the Covid 19 Pandemic halted his chance to improve his skills, and later forced him to momentarily stop.
His mother, Karen Lorenzo-Reyes – Master Teacher II of Alicia West Central School shared her feelings watching Eric’s sadness during the times that he loses in the competitions. “Ilang beses ko nang sinabi kay Eric na tama na lalo na yung nag-uumpisa pa lang siya kasi naaawa ako dahil wala siyang nakukuhang place pero passion nya talaga ang swimming.”
Eric resumed joining swimming competition after the pandemic. It was a fresh start for him from a year hiatus that made his passion even more fervent in which at that point he joined the 2023 Isabela Provincial Meet as a flyer. Discovering his strength put himself over the edge when he shifted to backstroke during the Isabela Provincial Athletic Association Meet and the CAVRAA Meet 2023 where he pocketed all the golds in
backstroke events.
When asked about his goal this CAVRAA Meet season, he said that his primary aim is to beat the qualifying standard time for Palarong Pambansa before he will graduate in Senior High School.
“The first game was so intense since everybody aspires for gold at sa tingin ko ganun din sa ma susunod na laro, so ang gagawin ko is to give my best to haul more golds,” told Eric Virgilio Reyes, a Grade 11 with honors at Odizee School of Achievers, Alicia, Isabela.
He started his dominance in swimming events this CAVRAA Meet 2024 when he led the Emerald Team with first gold in 100-meter backstroke.
Despite the achievements he garnered, his mother Karen always reminded Eric about good virtues, character and attitude.
“We are always reiterating that attitude is the most important thing in life. Bonus lang yung skill sa sports and academic awards,” Eric’s mother said.
Aside from being a good sportsman, Eric was described by her mother as an independent child. “May kusa sa pag-aaral, nagreresearch sa internet para maimprove ang kanyang swimming skills,” she added.
Eric Virgilio Reyes drew inspiration from her dad, Virgilio Reyes, Jr., a CAVRAA Meet Tournament Manager in Swimming who was
MARLOU B. YADAO
Eric’s first mentor. His daddy’s influence played a role for him to surpass the life’s challenges specially in times of managing his training and academics.
Being a responsible athlete took him a regimen of trainings but being a responsible son brought a lot of inspiration to his family, most specially to his Mom and Dad, as well as his younger brother who has also a passion in swimming.
“He is a home buddy. He knows his responsibility at home and does laundry.” That is how father Virgilio Reyes Jr described Eric as a son.
As an athlete, Eric puts premium to his goal. He asks his mother to take videos of all of his swimming events for him to see what was lacking and what needs improvement.
Eric’s mother, Karen, is thankful for having Eric as son, saying that what makes him different from other kids is that he is serving the Lord, going from house to house to preach the gospel and proclaiming God’s kingdom.
This made him rise above all challenges in life.
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RISING ABOVE TIDE
Pic Talk
FROM PAGE 1
Asec. Bringas said, “Remember that in this game, you should play fairly, play with honesty, and play with integrity. You may be in a competition but don’t forget to have fun”.
Bringas added that on the part of the Department of Education, they keep telling the young athletes to not just bring home medals but to bring home honor, bring home memories and rich experiences, and bring home lessons from the competition.
The two guests strongly believed that Cagayan Valley will be able to select and bring the best athletes to represent the region in the Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City come June 2024.
Furthermore, Villar has ensured the valley of his support, as a senator, to the noteworthy programs of the region especially those for the youth.
Lastly, the young senator expressed his appreciation to the CAVRAA meet host, City of Ilagan, on how they prepared for the big athletic event attended by approximately 6000 spectators.
SOURCE OF ASSISTANCE
Francis
B.
Remember that in this game, you should play fairly, play with honesty, and play with integrity. You may be in a competition but don’t forget to have fun
. DepEd Assistant Secretary for Field Operations
“Chetty”
Bringas addresses the crowd during the opening of the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association meet at City of Ilagan Sports Complex, April 26, 2024. Bringas encouraged the delegations to appreciate the values sporting events like CAVRAA teach them.
Marcial Cacal