FAST TRACK NO. 1

UNIGAMES

SIRMATA

‘GREATNESS CONTINUES’: MMSU RESUMES UNIGAMES AfTER

TWO-yEAR hIATUS dUE TO COVId-19

After resting on the bench for two years, sports action at the Mariano Marcos State Univer sity (MMSU) finally resumes as this year’s University Games (Unigames) formally kicked off on Monday, October 3.

Anchored on the theme, “Great ness Continues,” almost 15,000 individuals composed of faculty members, students, and athletes from various colleges convened at the MMSU Oval during the opening program to mark the official start of the annual sporting marathon which will run until October 7.

In his opening remarks, University Student Council (USC) Chairperson John Lloyd Suguitan expressed his gratitude to everyone and recognized the exceptional and collective efforts of all the people who made the event pos sible which was spearheaded by the Center for Human Movement anStudies (CHuMS).

“Thank you very much for making this university games possible and for doing it in a safe manner. We are all here because of our faculty staff, officers, volunteers, and mentors who went above and beyond their duty. Thank you on behalf of my fellow stallions for your exceptional efforts and solidarity,” Suguitan asserted.

“Dear fellow Stallion athletes and artists, your Unigames stage is set. You have come here at this point after overcoming so much obstacles, but now it’s your turn. The moment you’ve been waiting for. The moment we’ve been all

waiting for two straight years. Now the dream is coming true,” he further remarked.

‘Greatness continues in SCUAA’

In keeping with this year’s theme, University President Shir ley C. Agrupis urged all athletes to continue achieving greatness in the university and in bigger stages such as the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) and Southeast Asian Games.

“We should look forward to setting a foot in bigger stages of sports supremacy. It’s high time that we should select the best athletes in Mariano Marcos State University and we will see them fighting in the grounds of [the] Southeast Asian Games,” the pres ident advised in her message.

Eyeing to claim its 18th consec utive title in the regional SCUAA this year, Agrupis also reminded everyone of the main purpose of conducting Unigames, which is “to select our best representatives at the SCUAA.”

“Remember that over the past two decades, we [have] built the longest-running sports dynasty in the Philippines. Our victory in SCUAA I is unparalleled in any sports in any region in the country. [A total of] 17 consecutive overall championships,” she emphasized.

‘Let the most awaited and long overdue games begin’

Before the program, the 11 colleges of the university, led by

their respective student council president rumbled at the oval as they valiantly uttered their “Fearless Forecast” of the result and potential overall champions of this year’s event.

Afterwhich, the race to hoist the flags and the lighting of the ceremonial athletic urn were once again rekindled for the first time in two years

Meanwhile, Jesson Ramil Cid, a SEA Games 2013 Decathlon gold medalist and Ilokano athlete, and Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco, the Vice President for Academic Affairs led the oath of sportsman ship and the pledge of technical officials, respectively.

Before converging at the oval for the momentous first day of the Unigames, all athletes and non-athletes earlier participated in the foot parade whereby they roamed around the campus start ing from the Ferdinand E. Marcos (FEM) hall.

Due to the COVID-19 pandem ic, the annual Unigames of the university was put on hold for the last two years as the country weathered the storms brought by the health crisis.

Relevance. Exellence. Growth.

AGRUpIS dECLARES

By Quian Vencel Galut

“We are not here to enjoy but to unite and rekindle ourselves to one another!”

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) began the annual University Games (Unig ames) at the MMSU Sports Complex to bring back the spirit and value of sportsmanship and camaraderie through Sports Olympics & Culture and Arts Festival, on October 3.

The University President, Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, gave her motivational speech to officially declare the opening of the Unigames 2022, as she served as one of the guests for the opening ceremony.

“I am so overwhelmed seeing you back in this oval. I made my own forecast this year, that in the next three years that we shall see a bigger oval to accommodate us all. Unigames has always been the biggest gathering of the MMSU community because it gathers all students across the degree programs, all faculty officials, and support personnel in the same venue. But this year is extra special because we prepared for three years to come back stronger, faster, and more agile,” Agrupis remarked.

“Everybody has set your own goal; we are here to select our best representatives for the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA). Remember that over the past two decades, we have built the longest-running sports dynasty in the Philippines. Our victory in SCUAA 1 is unparalleled in any sports league in any region in the country, 17 consecutive overall

make it happen,” she added.

Agrupis also thanked Profes sor Arsenio Gallego, the person who she can never thank enough for his vast contributions to MMSU sports.

“Let us set a bigger picture behind these Unigames, SCUAA and SEAG. This may be just a dream set forth for all of us but with all our concerted efforts, if we put together our ambitions and dream, I know that in the nearest future, we can produce athletes in Southeast Asia.”

Agrupis has also given the opportunity to address and chal lenge the students and athletes at today’s sports festival as part of the Unigames this year.

“I wish you all of the fun and fulfilling experience in the next few days as we look forward to bigger, grander milestones in the sports powerhouse,” she exclaimed.

“The real measure of a cham pion is self-discipline if we are hosting now less than 15,000 students. I would like to see more than 15,000 plastic bottles around the MMSU campus. Let all single students pick one or two bottles so that the legacy will lead in us,” she added, re minding the students to observe cleanliness all the time.

Following the opening pro gram, a number of games were held all throughout the campus, with the 11 houses trying to score the most points and aiming to become the champion.

Along with sporting events, the cele bration week is planned to include a number of cultural activities and selection of the

By Addison Pascua

COE Maroons march with dignity as they enter the oval as the reigning champions with a 7-year win streak at Mariano Marcos State University, Batac City, October 3, 2022.

Photo by John Lloyd Balantac

University President Shirley C. Agrupis delivers her message, challenge, and declaration of MMSU Unigames 2022 official opening on Monday, October 3.

Photo by Dannah Eclarin

COE GEARS Up TO dEfENd CROWN

By Federick Abad

All colleges of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) have their eyes locked on the reigning 7-peat champion, the College of Engineering (COE), for this year’s Unigames which opened on Monday, October 3.

COE’s Dean, Dr. Edmund Edison Esteban, be lieves that the college has a high chance of clinch ing its 8th straight perpetual trophy. “We will grab the Unigames championship trophy and represent our school in the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) that will be held in Pangasinan State University (PSU) in November,” Esteban told Maroons in his speech of encourage ment during COE’s try-outs last week. The dean also wishes for participants in the different sporting and cultural events to unleash their prowess; to enjoy and play with fairness, and honesty; and most importantly, to feel the spirit of sportsmanship during the big event.

Despite having the leverage of dominating the Unigames for 7 straight years, COE’s chosen participants from different events are in full swing of training right after the college selection. With only a short span of 5 days before the said bout, COE, dubbed as the “College of Champions,” as well as different colleges, are maximizing their only time to work on and sharpen their skills and wits to assert their dominance in all sports events in this year’s Unigames. Moreover, participants of the said competition are going through lots of preparation and hard work to showcase their talents in specific categories.

As seen in the overall rankings of Unigames 2019, the biggest threats to COE would be the athletes from the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) and the College of Industrial Technology (CIT). The said colleges are notorious for their undeniable strength when it comes to sporting events, and they are now training vigorously to outdo their pe rennial foes and decapitate the head of the seated champions.

Limited time in preparation Since the preparation for this year’s Unigames is a little off the timezone, COE’s Student Council tries their best to cope-up with the suddenness of the event, reconstructing their plans and training regimens for their athletes to attain better results and performance.

“The move we made was still patterned with the previous admins’ move where we always prioritize the needs of our players. We are always trying to turn the impossible into possible just to give all their needs so that they will have a comfortable training and preparations even with limited time,” Yrral John Magno, COE Student Council President, told SIRMATA in an interview.

“The 5-day preparation might be short but I can assure you that our selected players are ready to battle it out and give a good fight and I am confident that we will get our straight 8th crown and defend our crown in this year’s Unigames,” he added.

After 2 years of waiting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the greatness and uniqueness of MMSU athletes will emerge and overflow.

COE’s consistent exposure to the award cup made them produce ultimate players with unstoppable power and determination. As judgment day is getting closer, COE will once again defend and prove that they are the cream of the crop, and opposing colleges are ready to stop and try their best to withstand their sheer driving force.

ChUMS ANTICIpATES INTENSIfIEd UNIGAMES COMEBACk AfTER TWO-yEAR hIATUS

By Benedict Jay Collado

The battlefields are now ready for the return of the competitive Stallions.

As the much-anticipated Unigames 2022 official opened on Monday, October 3, the Center for Human Move ments Studies (CHuMS) of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) an ticipates the thrilling fighting spirits of the athletes arising after being confined to strict protocols for two long years due to the global upheaval.

Guided by the CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 2, series of 2022 or the Guidelines on the Implementa tion of Return to Collegiate Athletic Competition and CMO No. 9, series of 2022 which talks about the Updated Guidelines on the Implementation of Face-to-Face Classes to Prevent and Mitigate COVID-19 Infections in Higher Education, CHuMS Director, Prof. Rowell Tagatac views a positive outcome of the games.

However, Tagatac acknowledged the odds stacked in front of the students brought by the effects of the pandemic.

“It’s been two years since we did not conduct sporting events in the university due to the pandemic. Because of that, students were not able to showcase

their skills in sports and in the culture and the arts, might as well say that they hibernated,” Tagatac told SIRMATA in an interview.

“Now that they are given the opportunity, I think their enthusiasm is intensified,” he added.

With high hopes of making this Unigames different from its past editions, the comeback also gives the limelight to the inclusion of Poomsae, Arnis (non-traditional), and Mobile Legends in the 15 original sporting events to open more opportunities for students to orchestrate their skills.

“With regards to the content of the Unigames, this year is very unique. You can see its uniqueness in the events to be played because of the inclusion of 3 new sporting events,” Tagatac added.

Despite the competitiveness and eagerness of the players from different colleges already playing in the univer sity’s atmosphere, the Unigames wants to uphold camaraderie and a sense of belongingness to all of the stakeholders of the university, since the term ‘Uniga mes’ does not only equate to ‘University Games’ but also ‘Unifying Game’ according to Tagatac.

Tagatac said that it also cultivates the idea of ‘excellence’ because as a Stallion, excellence must be our way of living.

The return of the games also aims to select the best representatives of the University as they will hold high the green and gold and defend its long-lived overall championship streak in the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Asso ciation (SCUAA) Region I Meet.

“MMSU already moved ahead so that we can prepare early for this Olym pics, hence, this Unigames,” Tagatac uttered.

In the past edition, MMSU clinched its 17th overall championship in the SCUAA-Region I Meet held at the university. This year’s Unigames will determine the best Stallions who will carry the burden of defending its title and clinching another overall championship on November 21-25 at Pangasinan State University (PSU) in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

fOOT pARAdE OpENS UNIGAMES 2022

By Addison Pascua

As a prelude to this year’s Uni verity Games (Unigames), faculty members, athletes, and students of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) converged for a foot parade to formally kickstart the annual sporting marathon on Monday, October 3.

The parade, which is one of the cultural events this year, started at the Ferdinand E. Marcos (FEM) Hall, and was led by the College of Industrial Technology (CIT) Red Lions, followed by the Col lege of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Wizards, the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (CASAT) blue marlins, the Col lege of Teacher Education (CTE) Rabbi, the College of Business Economics and Accountancy (CBEA) Eagles, the Collge of Health Sciences (CHS) Knights, the College of Agriculture, Food

Sustainable, and Development (CAFSD) Tamaraws, the College of Engineering (COE) Fighting Maroons, the College of Law (COL) Defenders, and the College of Medicine (Titans), and the Graduate School (Warriors).

Clad in their respective college colors, students and athletes flaunted their props and showcased their cheers with the confidence of outperforming their rivals while roaming around the streets of MMSU.

As they trooped to the oval, the ten colleges were judged and giv en corresponding points based on their formation which accounts for 30%, discipline (25%), reveries (25%), and overall impact (20%) while participating in the activity.

For the first in the years, MMSU will once again conduct the annual Unigames in prepa

ration for the upcoming regional State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) later this year.

Bannered with the theme, “Greatness Continues,” athletes from the different colleges will compete in about 32 sporting competitions and 12 cultural events until October 7.

The MMSU athletic urn was lit up, making the beginning of the long-awaited Unigames 2022.

Photo by John Lloyd Balantac

CIT LIONS CLOBBERS CTE RABBIS, 9-0.

By Paul Angelo Juan

Displaying his lightning-fast reflexes, Ariel Mina (10) of the CIT Lions led his whole team to a roaring victory against the CTE Rabbis during their breath-taking Football elimination match, which was held at the MMSU Soccer field, on October 3.

Just 8 minutes into the first half of the match, Mina (10), with the help of his teammates, already managed to score a blazing goal. Disappointed, the Rabbis tried to balance the score difference while it was still early - this is to avoid further slipping. However, just after another 8 minutes from their first, Mina kicked in another goal which slipped past CTE’s keeper, adding another score for their team.

CIT was on fire. In contrast, the CTE Rabbis seemed to have a hard time dealing with the speed and tactics of the Lions.

Twenty-two minutes into the match, Aldee Sal vador (29) of the Lions stole the ball from Irevince Aquino (10) of the CTE Rabbis via tackle. Aquino (10) together with Rey Jr. Domingo (02) and John Denver Manuel (04) tried getting the ball back, but Aquino effortlessly evaded their incoming attempts with his quick step and feints. Salvador (29) then shot the ball in his possession with such brutal force that the keeper could not keep up, allowing the Lions to have another point. After scoring his first goal, Salvador (29) could not wait to give it another go. In just a few minutes, he immediately saw another opportunity for a goal which he took, making Lions score 4. In the last minutes, just when everyone thought that no goals would be made, Mina (10) of the Lions shook the ground with another goal straight from the back. The first half ended with the Lions having a score of 5 and the Rabbis with none.

Pressured by their defeat in the first half, the Rabbis changed their tactic from attacking straight in the middle to attacking in the sides. Rabbis’ number 10 – Aquino and his lackeys hoped to slip past the strong defense of the Lions. The Lions saw this though and immediately reacted to block the enemy’s attempts to break through. In the middle of this all, Michael Palalay (17) of the CIT Lions received a cross from Mina (10) which he shot straight to the goal while moving past a small mob of Rabbis. The shot went in, marking the 1st goal of the second half.

The Lions continued to further strengthen their offense with Clifford Dela Cruz (09) in the lead and Salvador (29) on the assist. Halfway through the time, Salvador managed to cut CTE Rey Domingo (10) and steal the ball from him. He then sent it flying straight to Delacruz (10) who long-shot it into the goal. Hopeless as they were, the Rabbis attempted to bypass the Lions’ metal defenses, but the Lions did not allow them. Mina (10), on the lookout, intercepted the Rabbis and stole the ball from CTE’s Aquino (10) while on the run. Stopping a few meters before the goal, he shot it straight to the goal.

Dejected by the seemingly endless scoring of their opponent, the CTE Rabbis couldn’t do any thing anymore. In the last few minutes of the game, Mina (10) again sent an amazing shot adding another point to their score. Seeing the large gap between the scores of the 2 teams, the officiating officials ended the game 7 minutes earlier than intended.

With this, the CIT Lions secured their spot for the Semi-finals of the football competition to be held on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.

Relevance. Exellence.

By Benedict Jay Collado

The College of Champions likes to start things with a blast!

The College of Engineering (COE) Maroons claimed their pivotal wins in Volleyball after showcasing their concise gameplay to ignite their rally by winning Game 1 in the Men and Women division, on Monday, October 3.

The Maroons seemingly made the court their realm as it was packed with COE students roaring their cheers, adding up to the scorching heat of the sun.

COE Men had to deal with a tough College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Develop ment (CAFSD) Tamaraws after giving them a crucial fight with a grueling exchange of points, posting an 18-25, 25-18, 27-25 score.

Maroons fell first before placing their victory in the late game as collapsed early on after the Tamaraws, fueled by Ed Aldrine Estigo came in to lift the squad through nailing powerful blasts.

Maroons, on the other hand, tried to crawl up with thriving Mark Lawrence Lagmay with his mighty attacks, but the team’s errors caught them up, letting the Tamaraws take the set, 18-21.

However, the lead was just at the tip of the iceberg.

Maroons took charge as the second set flared up when Lagamay teamed with Jett Alejo finally setting the limelight to their team after using their effective rotation to their advantage, having attackers in the front and back lines, 25-18.

The deciding set was a challenge for both of the teams as the humid days mixed with the heated-up match resulted in deadlocks in the latter. But Lagmay’s rotation put him in the front which made him anchor his finishing touches, putting an end to the match with his team as victors, 27-25.

In the women’s division, Maroons crumpled for a moment against the College of Business, Economics, and Accountancy (CBEA) Eagles, but immediately fixed their defense, surviving the bout with a 17-25, 25-16, 25-21 score.

The Maroons had to deal with CBEA’s tow ering Czesca dela Cruz which gave them backto-back blocks in the early sets. But Kathleen Montarum delivered unexpected service aces and yielded to their supporters’ roaring cheers, claiming the second set after their loss at the opener.

But the comeback didn’t end up as shortlived as they extended their brilliance in the deciding set as Montarum with Maria Danica Pedro flaunting straight aces and tricky placings.

The Eagles tried to soar higher as they attempted to draw a see-saw fight but the Maroons’ persistence chained the wings of their enemy as Pedro brought two big points through her placings, bringing the team to the match point.

The COE supporters roared in excitement as Game 1 ended with their team on the upper hand as Montarum delivered her final blow, 25-21.

Tower. COE Maroons’ Dato (5) blocks a fiery spike attack from the Mighty Tamaraws. Photo by Dannah Eclarin

GENdER STEREOTypING IN SpORTS

Marc Louie M. Pasion Executive Editor

Insults and mocks in sports have become so typical in our locality that we often cannot recognize the line between friendly trash-talk and just plain immorality. Stereotypes form during sports activities because these types of prejudices are prevalent toward unaware victims. Gender stereotypes present themselves in this familiar territory.

We often hear from fans and the like, “Bakit volleyball ang sport ni ano? Bakla ba siya?” when talking about men who participate in volleyball. Similarly, whispers can also be heard about girls who play basketball, labeling them “tomboy” or “pixie”. The root of this problem does not come from physical dif ferences between men and women, but rather the views of society and how they expect men and women to

Editor-in-chief:

hEILM JUAIRE

behave accordingly.

Ironically, sporting events are often viewed as activi ties that promote inclusivity, equality, and the act of mutual respect among other things. How ever, when society tries to inflict words that are over the line, it discourages athletes from partic ipating in activities they have grown to love.

The art of trashtalking is one that needs to be threaded carefully. While we often see athletes as icons and/or idols, they are not invincible to hurtful words that can affect their mental capacity to display their skills and talents. In the sporting world, no person should be cast aside because of prejudices that are seen in our society.

The goal to achieve inclusivity, however, should not stop inside the corners of gyms and auditoriums. To eliminate gender stereotyping is to realize that the root of the problem lies within us, and we must do our very best to encourage every person to shine without the fear of receiving disapproval from others.

Graphic Artists:

UNIGAMES 2022:RUShEd?

EDITORIAL

Unigames is back, and it is very much obvious that everybody cannot seem to hold their excitement for it. This is especially true for freshmen, sopho mores, and juniors, as this would be their first time attending and competing in a big sports event. However, among the seniors and students who were lucky enough to have experienced the previous Unigames in person, a question is circulating – don’t you think that this year’s Unigames is a bit rushed?

Usually, as observed in the previously held Unigames, the student councils (SCs) of the different colleges of the Mariano Marcos State University would be notified about the said event’s inclusive dates ahead of time. And by “ahead of time”, we mean about a month early or even more. This year, however, the different student councils were not given ample time to prepare.

The dates for the Unigames were officially announced by the Center for Human Movement Studies (CHuMS) around the second week of September. That gave the different colleges just 2 weeks to prepare and select and train their athletes. Although it is just 2 weeks less than what was usually given, a 2-week difference would have made a big difference in the different colleges’ prepara tions. The majority of the colleges would have been able to conduct their for mal college sports competitions for a better and more thorough student-athlete selection process. The College of Engineering (COE) would have been able to conduct their COElympics, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) their PalaCAS an, and the other colleges their official intramurals as usual. Likewise, it would have allowed the different SCs to train their student-athletes a bit longer than a mere 1 to 2 weeks. With these, it would seem like this year’s Unigames is indeed a bit rushed, but the question is, is it?

Considering that we just started transitioning back to what most would call “the normal state of society” after 2 years of COVID-19, the rushing of this year’s UNIGAMES is understandable. After all, preparations for the safety of all students, athletes, instructors, and people who will most likely attend the event, needed to be crafted and implemented first before anything else. Certain protocols and requirements from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and Com mission on Higher Education (CHED) such as Entry and Re-entry protocols; Quarantine and Isolation areas; Cleaning and Sanitation routines; and many more, needed to be prepared and fulfilled first, as well.

Aside from this, CHuMS also had no choice but to rush the UNIGAMES due to the pressure of the upcoming State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) - Region I Meet, which will soon be held on November 21-25 in Lingayen, Pangasinan, at the Pangasinan State University. “...with that in mind, MMSU already moved ahead so that we can prepare early for this Olympic, hence, this Unigames,” Rowell C. Tagatac, Director of CHuMS told SIRMATA in an interview.

In the sports world, it is a standard practice for athletes to have 6 or more weeks of preparatory phase before a big competition. For MMSU to have more time to prepare and train our representatives in the upcoming regional SCUAA R1 Meet, CHuMS needed to push through with it earlier than expected. As a result, the UNIGAMES was rushed. After the said event is done, the selected stu dent-athletes who will represent MMSU in the regional sports arena will be left with exactly just 6 weeks to prepare. Hence, the rush was necessary

To sum it up, yes, this year’s UNIGAMES is indeed a bit rushed compared to the previous ones. However, it isn’t a rush born out of negligence, but rather a tactical rush devised to prepare the Stallions for the upcoming SCUAA- Re gion I Meet. Given the golden record of MMSU as the said event’s champion for 17 straight years, losing just because of time shortage does not sound so appetizing, does it? Thus, giving our athletes time must come before anything else – that is if MMSU wants its greatness to continue.

Adviser/Consultant:

Graziel Mae Ramat

Neil Brynt Buliao

Executive Editor:

Marc Louie Pasion

Desk Editors:

Paul Angelo Juan

Edmar Delos Santos

Benjo Collado

Federick Abad

CJ Antonio

Anthony Joseph

Production Assistants:

Ian Paul Villanueva

Rodge Carl Vea

Jessa Mariz Corpuz

Dana Meryll Gapas

Mr. Bryan Eli Sadorra

Contributors:

Ryand Angelo Ugalde

Ivy Jane Guanzon

Addison Pascua

Alliah Dimple Quitevis

Quian Vencel Galut

Lucky Charm Palting

Sheryl Anne Umali

Kyle Nojen Andres

Joyce Sheena Alyssa Pajo

Warren Raciles

Jayson Sabong

Hyung Sun James Maestrado

Angel Christin Ped

Rodge Carl Vea

Aira Nadine Pascua

Carmela Jasmin Ramiro

Brent Nicholai Aganus

Abijah McGuiller

Barruga

John Lloyd Balantac

Dannah Erika Eclarin

Crisdeniele Clemente

Christian Heaven Barruga David Acacio

Jirah Failano Moyrah Shaina Colobong

Lujean Guieb Casmir Remyell Cadiente

The Great Battle Commences

by Rodge Carl Vea

Preparations of the 8 kingdoms for the great battle, as told by the scribes of Sirmutus. Since the beginning of time, the eight kingdoms of the land of excellence, engrossed in bloody perpetual warfare. Though it sounds dreadful and abominable, this ancient rite unified the citizens, invigorated their spirits, and bolstered their raging hearts as they fought for their kingdom, and celebrated throughout the land. Maybe because of the bragging rights winning the crown gives or just our undeniable thirst for war, bloodshed and death, every citizen of the land prays to gods each year for the great battle to commence.

Yet sadly, the dawn of the new age came with sweeping darkness, which left the eleven king doms trapped inside their castles for 2 long years. Without war, the land of excellence lived in peace like never before. Yet, almost all citizens say that they’d rather hear the screams of dying warriors, the bickering of phony generals, and the clashing of gory swords, than live in a bland world devoid of bloody bliss. I for one cannot blame them, whether it’s “idiocy” that they chose violence over peace, one cannot deny the heart’s desire for too long, to appease the self and the gods, battle must once again commence. So earnestly, they asked in prayer.

Thankfully, the gods answered graciously. Yes, once again the great battle is coming.

As the land of excellence reopened the battle grounds, without thought the eleven kingdoms quickly prepared their citizens, their weapons, and their warriors for the glorious battle. Hoping to take the ever tempting and shining crown – the crown that currently sits at the head of the king in maroon.

So, eight kingdoms assembled their troops, each boasting a might of their own.

The southern kingdom of Kassath, home to masters of the deep – the Marlin, ready their ships. With their mariners, their fishermen, and their divers, the kingdom that thrives on taming the blue beast hoists its sails and drags its anchors to prepare for the Great War. If all the battles were to be held at the sea, the Marlins would win – without question. But a battle on solid ground, fortune regrets, would prove to be difficult. Yet, it matters little for the brave warriors of the sea – like the ancient Vikings they bravely thread the turbulent waters and rode its high waves, determined to conquer and terrorize the terrestrial kingdoms. Proving once and for all that, though the land is hard and solid, it can be eroded and washed away by the stormy wrath of the sea.

The Blue Marlins are ready…

Will their bravery and determination gain them their glory?

The lions of Siatee, fierce and savage, are feared throughout the eleven kingdoms. Like the figure in their banners, they boast strength and endurance unlike no other. Craftsmen, carpenters, inventors – men used to hard labor under the heat of the scorching sun, their defeat is slight for they are hard to slay. Yet woe to the other kingdoms, for their strength, is not their only advantage. Their force is also bolstered by their mastery of tools which they use to fashion weapons and machines that can slaughter any enemy in front of them. With their teeth and claws sharpened, the hungry lions stalk their seven prey, ready to pounce, devour, and annihilate them, leaving nothing by dry bones.

The Lions are ready…

Will their strength and ingenuity prevail above all others?

The pen is of greater power than the sword, the rabbis are resolved to prove that saying right. Hailing from the northern kingdom of Sitiee, the rabbis are the beacon of knowledge and the gardener of thoughts in the land. Justly, the rabbis’ strength lies in their minds. Their busy heads allow them to be superior by crafting impeccable tactics and understanding the weaknesses of their opponents. Their pride relies on their ability to use their knowledge to trip and disarm all foes no matter how large and powerful they and their armies are. After all, it has been said that war is more so a battle of wits and strategy – the wisest king remains. So the humble rabbis of the north commune together to give birth to the greatest plan the land has ever seen – a plan that sees them sitting on a throne with a crown decorating their worthy heads.

The Rabbis are ready…

Will their knowledge and strategy outsmart their opponents?

Whilst the pen is a great weapon, an injection is just as ef fective. The knights of the kingdom of Seiches are hardened warriors, effective in both offense and defense. The knights are honorable indeed, with their oaths to protect the weak and to shield them from disease, yet when it comes to battle they are just as merciless as their foes. These white knights can compete with anyone unlike all the other kingdoms, they deal with blood, inju ry, and death every single day. With their outstanding endurance thanks to their armor and their masterful practice of medicine, the noble knights march onto the battlefield, ready to take on anyone and slay any beast. While other knights swore to protect kings, these warriors think it’s time for a knight to be one… the quest of the noble is most worthy.

The Knights are ready…

Will their nobility and hardiness

win them the highest honor?

all the nine kingdoms, the Eagles of Sibea perch at the top of their magnif icent castle. Splendid and graceful is their flight as they roam around the sky, mocking the creatures below them. Their avian warriors are swift and cun ning, with every decision meticulously calculated and every attack efficiently executed. As masters of business and economics themselves, their skill in manage ment and problem solving, their foresight, and their willingness to take risks, are found to be just as handy on ton battlefield as they are in amassing wealth. Yet, with all their trea sures, these wealthy lords of the sky are not yet satisfied for they do not possess that elusive golden crown. Hence, with their eyes locked on to prize, the predator dives from their sky castle with their sharp talons looking to rip and hack anyone below them – no one is safe.

The wealthiest of

The Eagles are ready…

Will their flight and skill make everyone below them kneel?

The fields of the land remain fruitful and all enjoy bountiful harvests thanks to the hard work of the citizens from the kingdom of Caffesty. It is undeniable that because of them no one in all eleven kingdoms is left starving. Though mocked as simple farmers by the proud lords of the kingdoms – ignorant to the fact that without them they’d be no more than a pile of bones, the masters of the scythe and the protectors of the fields are also able warriors ready to defend their land when called to. So, when the banners of the kingdom were summoned to rise, the warriors of Caff dropped their rakes for swords, and plows for spears, riding their proud tamaraws to the battlefield. Their infantry, unmatched by any kingdom, charges headstrong looking to stomp, break and cripple everyone on their path, demanding utmost respect for finally the crown is theirs to wear – the revenge of the ridiculed is an onslaught.

The Tamaraws are ready…

Will their hard work and perseverance see their rise to the top?

The kingdom of Kass has long been surrounded by lore and mystery. It has been said that this kingdom is home to the mystical wizards of the land, whose sorcery and mastery of the sciences, make them a dangerous foe – deadly in fact. The wizards of Kass, though evaded by the crown, are champions in their own right, winning battles of culture and arts every time. It has long been rumored that these mystics are favored by the supreme goddess and that their magic grows stronger every year because of it. With their formidable spells and virulent potions paired with their scientific prowess, the wizards are more than ready to show their might on the battlefield. With a raging thunderstorm, conjured by their voices, the mages of Kass know that everyone in the kingdom is shaken by their absolute power and all are preparing for their utter wrath. After all, a wizard king is most powerful and shall be most difficult to usurp.

The Wizards are ready…

Will their sorcery and magic be powerful curses to those who dare defy them?

While the other kingdoms are busy squabbling among themselves like little children, one king sits on his throne as he watches with nothing else but a bore. Seven times the great battle commenced, seven times he went home with severed heads, his cloak marooned by the blood of thousands. Most glorious and decorated is he, with his citizens chanting hymns of his victory proudly and his army walking head high feared by everybody. One might think that being victorious brings nothing else but good, if that is so one might need to think twice. For one, being the champion means everyone is rooting to destroy you and will be preparing their greatest powers for you. Well, that is surely a challenge, imagine fighting the 7 kingdoms’ best on your own. But according to the king himself, the second challenge is far harder than the first. It is that wearing the heavy crown upon one’s head every day makes the neck stiff and headache a little – pride of kings have no limits.

According to the other kingdoms’ citizens, as a new year comes, the king’s vigor fades slowly, and there will come a time that his aged highness will fall from his throne. Well, insults that describe the king as old, aged, and demented flock from all corners of the land. However, the king doesn’t mind, after all, insults are from the desperation of losers and the envy of the weak – the king’s resolve is unbreakable.

After two years of rest, the king in maroon and so does every other kingdom are ready to clash swords once more. Proud and confident in his immortal power, the maroon king looks forward to bringing home severed heads again. As the saying goes, “the head that wants to take the king’s crown shalll be taken instead by the king’s sword” – the king’s judgment is irrevocable.

Will the King in Maroon’s experience and sovereignty be enough to keep his crown?

Or will his head finally be decapitated by a usurper?

Of the 10 kingdoms in the land of excellence, 8 kingdoms are geared up and are present on the battlefield

7 kingdoms will fight amongst themselves

1 kingdom will defend its crown, and after the war…

only 1 kingdom shall remain to stand, the only one worthy to be called champion, sover eign, and king.

Regardless of the result of the great battle, the Scribes of Sirmatus vow to deliver ravens with swift, unstained, unedited, and trustworthy news all across the land. So hear us oh citizens! Prepare for the war, pray for thy kingdom’s victory, and rejoice in each other’s company. May the odds be with you, and glory to the one who will be left standing.

Relevance.

SEpAk TAkRAW – MAROONS hALTS WIzARdS’ COMEBACk, SECURES 2-1 TRIUMph

By Marc Louie Pasion

High-flying kicks and coordinated head smashes propelled the COE Fighting Maroons in preventing a comeback from the Wizards, leading to a 2-1 victory over CAS in the Sepak Takraw Quarterfinals held at the Sepak Takraw court beside the ROTC headquarters on Monday, October 3.

Starting the 1st set of Regu 1 with a service error from CAS, the Fighting Maroons capitalized on this mistake by smashing a perfect header in between the opponents’ kick zones courtesy of Joshua Aguilar, spiker for the 1st Regu of the team.

Several service errors followed suit after, but the Fighting Maroons once again ignited cheers from the audience with a header, this time from tosser Mark Lumabao.

The Wizards managed to stay within reach as COE committed receiving errors. They tied the game, 8-8, with a service ace that was not antici pated by the receiving team.

Confusion reigned between the athletes in maroon as CAS coordinated their attacks with sets from their Tekong, Alvin Echenique, followed by a service ace.

COE however, paced themselves into creating a counterattack against the raging wizards. As CAS built up a good offense powered by a set from Echenique, Aguilar anticipated the attempted header, leading to a score that shifted the momen tum in their favor.

The Maroons stayed with their header gameplan, an offense that CAS could not find an answer for, leading to a 21-16 victory for the ma roon team after a reception error by the Wizards.

The trend continued for the Maroons in the 2nd set of Regu 1 as they relied on the Luma bao-Aguilar header combo to kickstart their offensive attack.

The Wizards once again wouldn’t let the Maroons pull away as Echenique demolished a confused COE team with a fast head spike.

The momentum for CAS only lasted for a few minutes, as they started to struggle with their serves, pushing COE to a 15-8 lead.

The struggles haunted CAS for the rest of the set, as Alen Asuncion of COE nails the dagger with a sun back spike, finishing Regu 1 with a 2-0 victory.

A symbol of hope emerged for the royal blue team as Jose Jimenez checks in for the Wizards in Regu 2 of the match. Acting as the receiver of the team, Jimenez displayed his prolific control of the ball, placing the ball at the weak spots of the COE team to ensure a lead.

While the COE team started the 1st set with a 6-1 advantage thanks to JB Agno, the Wizards found their groove behind Jimenez and Jhunell Juan, enacting a give-and-go that COE could not stop. Strong sun back spikes from Xief Boday did not help the Maroons’ cause, rather it helped CAS gain free points.

Back-to-back long rallies developed during the climax of the game, of which both points went to the CAS Wizards. The trio eventually found their magic and set up a combination of tricks and prolific kicking ability that led to them inching a 21-19 set 1 victory.

The 2nd set of Regu 2 started with a 4-1 COE lead, followed by service errors from the same

team, losing their momentum.

The amazing display of ball control by Jimenez allowed a CAS takeover to ensue. Strong headers from the opposing team further extended the lead for the Wizards team.

Boday found his rhythm in the middle of the game, leading the Maroons to tie the game 15-15. A back-and-forth filled with service errors soon followed, but low headers from Agno and Erl Bumanglag of CAS finished the set, and Regu 2 with a score of 21-19, advantage of CAS.

Finding themselves in a 1-1 tie, the Maroons fielded in Regu 3 captain Adrian Adamana, who later turned out to be the winning factor of the set and the game.

In two sets played with fellow players Ver win Quinit and Christian Garingao, the team continuously fed Adamana the ball, who in turn busted out multiple high sun back spikes that CAS cannot stop.

Errors in services courtesy of Matthew Tano, Tekong of CAS, granted COE the takeover that they needed to secure the 1st set of Regu 3 with a dominating 21-13 score.

The final set of the Regu and the match sees the maroon team cruising to a 10-1 advantage, as reception errors plagued the offensive gameplan of the Wizards. Loud chants from the COE audi ence emerged in the final moments of the game, as an uncoordinated CAS squad did not allow themselves to post a double-digit score, losing badly to the perpetual victors, 21-8.

CAS is now eliminated from the tournament while COE will continue to display their kicking talent in the second round.

LEAP. CAS Wizards’ Jose Jimenez attacks COE Maroons via head spike. Photo by Dannah Eclarin

LAWN TENNIS MEN – QUEVEdO LAUNChES Off-SpEEd SMAShES TO OUTLAST ALCARION

By Marc Louie Pasion

With hard-hitting smashes and misdirecting drop shots, Eagles’ Gerald Quevedo puts away Knights’ Edmar Alcarion in an instant, 8-1, during the Lawn Tennis Men 1st Singles Elimination Match held at the Open Lawn Tennis Court last October 3.

Quevedo draws first blood for CBEA as CHS looks to bounce back in their doubles bracket to prevent their tournament life from ending in the quarterfinals.

Alcarion took advantage of reception errors made by Quevedo during the first set to take an early 1-0 set lead.

Taking the loss personally, Quevedo allowed Alcarion zero wins the rest of the way to post an 8-1 score line, utilizing various attacks to keep the CHS athlete off his feet.

During the third set, Quevedo staggered Alcarion with consecutive drop shots that

propelled the Eagle to score an amazing 4-0 set victory.

Quevedo once again held Alcarion to zero points – this time during the 5th set, with a combination of unexpected service ace and a short rally that ended with a drop shot, land ing short of Alcarion’s reach.

Games 6, 7 and, 8 were no different from the previous sets, as Alcarion managed to score nothing in the final stages of the game.

The final set, which recognized Quevedo as the victor, was filled with misbalanced re ceives from the Knight, along with a running smash from Quevedo that finished the match.

CBEA currently holds a 1-0 advantage over CHS in the elimination match. They will con tinue to assert their dominance over Knights tomorrow.

By Abijah Barruga

Photo courtesy: Buchard Cutin

rodgrigo

To cement yourself as one of the college’s highest jumpers is in itself, a hard feat to achieve. To also be recognized as one of the fastest runners is rarely heard of. For Staycy Khaye Rodrigo, a 3rd-year BSCpE student, it was just another day at the office. After bagging 1st and 3rd places in high jump and 100m dash during the university games, she showed a feeling of euphoria as she went home, unknowingly aware of a SCUAA call-up that awaits her. From then on, it would not be the last time that Staycy displayed her beautiful smile.

Beginnings…

Sic parvis magna – great ness from small beginnings. It was certainly no different for young Bambi, a nickname they often use for Staycy. Bambi and her friends would often find themselves playing near the beach. They would build sand castles and swim, among other things. At times, they would chase each other along the shore, and it helped in her physical development. Much of the credit for her athletics skills went to her childhood experiences as it helped shaped the type of woman she was emerging to be.

BEyONd ThE BAR: STAyCy’S pATh TO TRANSCENdING GREATNESS

By Marc Louie Pasion

techniques to calm her whole system, a key aspect which helps her execute properly during the event proper.

Staycy’s level of competi tiveness is unmatched in track-and-field events, which is why she rarely walks away without a medal or a trophy in her hands. After every win, she indulges herself on eating her favorite foods, a habit she has grown accustomed to because of the strict rules that her trainers impose during her training regimens. Sometimes, she would reward herself with simple gifts, such as clothing wear she’d use for school. This has been a habit of her ever since she started to involve herself in trackand-field competitions.

Embodying the Stallion Spirit

After her exceptional perfor mance in the university games during her freshmen year, Staycy was called on to the Physical Education office, who asked her to be an official participant for MMSU in the Regional State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) meet. She said yes, marking her first tenure as a representative for the green and gold university. An official meeting followed suit afterwards, which emphasized on the specific drills each athlete must do in preparation for the SCUAA.

before finally taking off and successfully clearing the height of the bar. The whole crowd exploded with cheers, as she was declared the 1st placer for High Jump.

With one more event to finish, Staycy mustered all the energy left from her tank as she suited up for the 100m dash. Following her victory in the last event, all the momentum eventually shifted to her side. She started sluggishly yet gained enough composure to stay neck-in-neck with the other athletes.

After a few seconds, a green and gold jersey can be seen, visibly separating itself from the pack of running athletes, eventually crossing the finish line and yet again garnering a 1st place finish. Staycy savored the moment as she bagged a rare two 1st-place finishes during the SCUAA event proper.

As she and her friends went to the food stalls to celebrate, she was greeted by her instructor, who congratu lated her for bagging gold medals for the university. Numerous congratulatory mes sages soon followed thereafter, bringing a dazzling smile that Staycy cannot resist to display. As she and her fellow athletes prepare themselves to go home, she looked back at the field, uttered a prayer, before entering the bus and relaxing on her way back to her hometown in Pagud pud.

A Bigger Opportunity… Cut Short

For little Staycy, her first encounter of track and field events came when she was in the 3rd grade. Fate has it that she and her brother were put on the same team, as her brother encouraged her to participate in the 100m dash. Like little David, Staycy aligned herself with a bunch of Goliaths, 6th graders of whom were anticipated to steamroll past their opponents. Her first of many achieve ments almost didn’t come to fruition as she almost got cheated on by a 6th grader who claimed she crossed the finished line first. But justice and equality eventually prevailed, garnering her the 3rd place in the competition.

A Woman of Habit

With every battle comes proper training, no matter the level of competition. For Staycy, her way of approaching the game will always be the same. Strenuous trainings were the highlight of Staycy’s preparation before every major event that surfaced. Her at titude towards trainings is as disciplined as it gets. From cardio sessions to leg strengthening exercises, she makes sure that she is prepared for anything during the event. The final act of her preparation phase comes before the start of the event, in which she engages in simple breathing

Because she was used to high and intensive trainings, Staycy was thrown off-course when she witnessed the training regimen for SCUAA. She de scribed the experience as “slack”, having no control of training hours. As a student with two events in a regional competition, it was hard for her to manage being able to balance her life as a student and as an athlete, which led to long and sleepless nights. That eventually led to exhaustion from her part. When asked about her ex perience, she said, “I cannot just neglect my academics for sports. It wouldn’t make sense. It is exhausting being able to be ready for school and athletics at the same time, while having a physically and mentally tired body.” However, little did she know that her hard work and dedi cation will eventually bear fruits of their own.

Bringing Home, the Bacon… The dawn breaks as the day of the competition arrives. Like the usual, Staycy immersed herself in her breathing techniques to calm her whole body before the start of the competition. As she posi tioned herself before the bar, a pinch of nervousness and doubt crossed Staycy’s mind, scared of an injury that may arise following her performance. However, her sense of calmness eventually prevailed, as she slowly counted her check marks

That same night, she received a message from the university, stating that she is going to compete in the National SCUAA following her legendary victo ries. Staycy was living the dream. It was her chance to add a bigger achievement to an already legendary career. As she told her sisters and cousins about the possibili ty of bringing home a national trophy, her moment of celebration got cut short as the pandemic hit, effectively casting aside all human endeavors for the foreseeable future.

So… What is Next for Staycy?

Staycy is now in her third year, two years removed from her partic ipation during the last SCUAA. And as we wait for the re-opening of the athletic association, there’s a chance that we won’t see an appearance from her again in regional competitions during her years as a college student. For Staycy, she is now venturing into a different path, no longer just running on a rubberized floor, and her goals no longer just a hundred meters away. She was once a young little girl just running along the shores of the beach, and as the circle of life comes back to finally end its amazing story, may Bambi find herself surrounded by little sunflowers in a sunken platform, as they call on her name and witness the becom ing of a woman who is about to enter the adult life.

By Paul Angelo Juan

During the last UNIGAMES, the Center for Human Movement Studies (CHuMS) announced that in its next edition, Arnis will be added to the list of competed sports events. Many of our students, most espe cially those who have a background in the said sport, were ecstatic to have heard this wonderful news. Unfortunately, before the plan was set to motion, the Pandemic hit, and all additions for the supposed ‘new’ version of the UNIGAMES were halted.

Now, after 2 years of deep slum ber, the UNIGAMES is back, and it is back not just with one new sport but 3 sports all in all. Will these new sports thrive in MMSU and create a new breed of athletes? Or will they become nothing but a show that will eventually be extinguished out of their existence? Well, only time will tell.

Arnis

First on the list is the sport that never got out of its shelf because of the pandemic back in 2020. A sport that is known to many Filipinos by heart. Likewise, a sport that contin ues to captivate the attention of many martial artists and enthusiasts around the world. Identifiable by its players’

use of the iconic rattan sticks to at tack and defend, Arnis surely stands out above the few other armed sports in existence.

MMSU, as a proud ambassador of cultural preservation, has always wanted to officially include Arnis in its UNIGAMES. In fact, even before its recognition, Arnis was already being practiced at MMSU. The only problem, however, was that it was not recognized as an official part of the competitive sports registered in the university. Rather, it was always being practiced and shrugged off as an exhibition - this was mainly due to the lack of available players. After a few years of doing exhibitions, the said sport finally gained traction within the MMSU community. Consequently, it saw an exponential increase in interested students. Thus, in UNIGAMES 2019, CHUMS final ly announced adding it as an official sports competition in its next UNIG AMES, but then the COVID-19 pandemic came and spooked the world. Hence, putting the earlier announcement in vain.

Poomsae

Next in line is not really a sport of its own accord, but rather a catego ry of a sport that many are already

familiar with. In 1976, Taekwondo was first recognized internationally as a sport. Ever since then, many sports associations and nations began absorbing it in their sporting events and competitions. Despite its abrupt fame, not many people knew about the said sport’s traditional form, Poomsae. Poomsae, in the simplest sense, is the creative sport for Taekwondo. This means that the player does not have to fight against an opponent. Instead, the player is to show the different styles, patterns of attacks, and special moves in Taekwondo. The player will then be judged according to how he/she performs those movements.

Like Arnis, Poomsae is not really that new with MMSU. In the last SCUAA-1 Meet, the stallions dominated the Poomsae exhibition game. However, the players who rep resented MMSU back then did not go through the process of selection via official competition. Rather, they were plucked out from the official Taekwondo team of MMSU. Though they did well, CHuMS still deemed it necessary to have a separate team for the Poomsae category of Taekwondo. Resulting in the addition of Poomsae in this year’s UNIGAMES.

Esports

Last but definitely not least is the first official Esports to be ever included in the history of MMSU’s UNIGAMES – the Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) competition. Though this is the first time it has been included, the MLBB competi tion is proven to be the most popular sport this year. This fact is very much evident in the sheer number of aspiring ML players who over crowded the selection competitions conducted separately by the different colleges in the university.

CHuMS acknowledges and respects the emergence of modern sports, including highly confidential Esports. Likewise, CHuMS listens to the active pleas from the student body to recognize Esports as an offi cial sport. As such, the dream MLBB competition of many students has been realized.

With all of these ‘new’ items on the shelves, it is undeniable that this year’s UNIGAMES is bigger and better. And with these new addi tions, MMSU hopes to breed new blood of athletes who will contribute to the galloping victory of MMSU in the upcoming SCUAA R-1 meet, as well as in all future sporting compe titions to be fought by MMSU

OVERALL TALLY

FOR SPORTS EVENTS

LIST OF SPORTS LIST OF TEAMS

PLACE

I. SPORTS EVENTS COE CAS CIT CTE CASAT CHS CAFSD CBEA

Athletics - Men

Athletics - Women

Swimming - Men

Swimming - Women

Basketball - Men Basketball - Women Volleyball - Men

Volleyball - Women

Baseball - Men

Softball - Women Soccer - Men Sepak Takraw - Men Taekwondo - Men Taekwondo - Women

Badminton - Men Badminton - Women

Lawn Tennis - Men

Lawn Tennis - Women

Table Tennis - Men

Table Tennis - Women

Chess - Men

Chess - Women

Beach Volleyball - Men

Beach Volleyball - Women

Futsal - Women

Arnis - Men

Arnis - Women

Mobile Legends - Men

Mobile Legends - Women

Pomsae - Men

Pomsae - Women