EVRAA 2012 Sidelights

It stopped raining in time for the opening ceremonies of the EVRAA on January 29, 2012.  The sun shone so brightly and the highlighted lighting of the Friendship Flame, the pyrotechnics of the EVRAA signage and the fireworks display went on perfectly.  The rains came back when the EVRAA came to a close. 

The urn and signage lighting was invented by city hall scientist Rudolph Sanchez upon my suggestion that it should be the climax of the opening ceremonies.  It was the tradition of every Olympics, Asian Games and SEA Games that the lighting of the urn will be the biggest surprise of the opening.  We started the parade at 3:00 P.M. apart from the usual 1:00 P.M. to let the ceremony reach sunset.

There was only one reported case of theft during the EVRAA.  It happened at the Maasin City National High School where the Calbayog City delegation was housed.  I was ashamed of the incident because when we were in Calbayog during the EVRAA 2011 we were safe from robbers because of the tight security of the PNP and the Army.  The PNP caught the robber and we presented him to the delegation.  He could no longer return the robbed money so I paid the victim more than the amount stolen from her.  She was a mother of a badminton athlete.    The suspect was a known thief and robber in Barangay Combado where the city high school was situated.  It was reported that the robber has a slight mental disorder. 

It was one of the few EVRAA meets which were not postponed even if the preparations were disturbed by the rains.  The 100 days countdown hit the target opening day on January 29, 2012.

Leyte dominated practically all events in both secondary and elementary levels.  The Leyte Sports Academy (LSA) organized by their provincial government was a big plus factor to Leyte’s dominance.  So Maasin City learned a lot from the LSA, especially from Dr, Lucrecio Calo, the consultant and organizer of the LSA.  He was a retired Executive Director of the Philippine Sports Commission. 

Maasin City delegation was housed at the Maasin City College campus.  It was so secured and we had protected the rooms from vandalisms especially that we can impose discipline on our own athletes.  The rooms were newly painted but there were no writings whatsoever because we let them love the building because it is our own college, financed and operated by the city government.  

Officials gave positive feedbacks on our hosting.  They would want to be back to Maasin in the future hosting of the regional meet.  They appreciated our first ever Smoke-Free EVRAA and those officials who were smokers were able to reduce if not eradicate their smoking vice.  I told them, “I helped extend your life by several minutes or even hours and days.” 

All posts in the poblacion area were marked with tarpaulins indicating “Thank You for Observing Our No Smoking Policy.”  These also include billeting quarters and playing venues. 

Although Leyte won the secondary boys’ boxing by a solitary bronze medal, and Maasin City won the elementary boys’ boxing with 2 golds and 1 silver, Maasin won the unofficial overall championship in boxing with a medal tally of 3 golds and 2 silvers as compared to Leyte’s 2-2-1 tally. 

In the qualifying round and in the semi-final round, all 5 boxers of Maasin City won their bouts via referee stopped contest (RSC).  The boxers abilities improved with the training they got from Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP).  No less than 1992 Olympic bronze medalist Roel Velasco came to Maasin to train our coaches and referees.  Also, our own boxer Edillo Abrea now training in Baguio City at the ABAP national camp came home to share his knowledge to our amateurs.    

Maasin City’s elementary girls’ volleyball team successfully defended their title by taking the gold medal.  Last year in Calbayog, they were also champions.  The girls come from Malapoc Norte Elementary School and practiced religiously everyday until evening.   

EDSA: The Revolution of the People by the People and for the People

When then President Ferdinand Marcos called a snap presidential election, my sympathy went to the widow Cory Aquino of the slain senator Ninoy Aquino.  Twenty years in power and abuses by the military during Martial law was a bitter pill to swallow. 

I worked that time as a full time instructor at the Saint Joseph College Engineering Department.  The School President Bishop Vicente Ataviado was pro-Cory and so did the majority of the faculty members. 

I openly campaigned in the classroom and in the gatherings of different organizations against Marcos and favored Cory to become President because of pure sympathy to Ninoy and the strong clamor for change.

It was against the will of my mother, who at that time worked at the Ministry of Public Works and Highways.  Her sympathy was with Cory but she could not voice out her sentiments as government employees were forced to vote for Marcos.

Cory may not have the experience as compared to Marcos.  But Cory had the sincerity to serve and the fear of God.  Human rights abuses by the military, massive cronyism and corruption, and the downfall of the nation’s economy were the main issues against Marcos. 

When the results of the snap elections came out, Marcos was ahead by millions.  He was proclaimed by the Batasang Pambansa as the duly elected president.  Protests mushroomed all over the Philippines as reports of massive cheating abound everywhere, including Southern Leyte.  Marcos led Cory by only 6,000 votes in Southern Leyte.  But in the counting at the Batasang Pambansa, Marcos led by more than 16,000 votes in the province.  Campaign of civil disobedience came to Maasin by the Cory Aquino Movement national officials. 

We, Cory sympathizers were threatened to be arrested.  My mother was threatened to be transferred to a far district.  But the will of God prevailed as Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Vice Chief of Staff Fidel Ramos led a military revolt against the embattled president.  Cory and Cardinal Sin called on the people to support the renegade soldiers and millions flocked to EDSA at Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo.

That time we had a ringhop and necklacing ceremonies for engineering students at the SJC Social Hall and my colleagues in the Cory Aquino movement called on me at the school where the activities were still ongoing.  We rejoiced and monitored the proceedings over radio.  There was no clear television signal that time.   

The rest is history.  People power prevailed.  In Maasin, we had a big celebration among Coryistas.  Democracy again prevailed.  Dictatorship was toppled.   It was a revolution of the people, a bloodless one, by the Filipino people.  The fruits of EDSA are for democracy for us the people of the Philippines.  

It was just the beginning.  The fight continues.  Tuloy ang Laban.  Tungo sa Matuwid na Daan. 

Maasin City Major Infrastructure Projects

Maasin City Major Infrastructure Projects

(June 30, 2010 - December 31, 2011)

Construction of 72 L.M. Protection Dike and Backfilling, Tigbawan          

P2,499,366.04

Construction 12 Units Market Stalls, Reclamation Area 

            P2,220,665.57

Improvement of Brgy. Hall & Day Care, Mahayahay 

            P   407,870.17

Construction 1 Unit 1 Classroom Sch Bldg w/ Toilet, Canlugok, Lunas 

            P    839,974.50

Construction Dormitory Bldg, City Forest Park 

            P2,753,487.25

Improvement of Danao Road, City Forest Park 

            P1,410,393.40

Concrete Reblocking, Enage St. & Garces St., Tungatunga

            P1,173,996.93

Construction of Lined Canal, Combado 

            P1,465,919.31

Improvement of Danao Water System, City Forest Park 

            P1,706,980.73

Construction of 4 Units Park Cottages, City Forest Park 

            P2,839,947.24

Construction of MASAM Agricultural Productivity Center,

Maria Clara    

P1,832,475.41

Construction of MASAM Evacuation Center, Acasia 

            P1,828,524.81

Construction of MASAM Evacuation Center, Tam-is 

            P1,897,574.28

Construction of MASAM Evacuation Center, Sta. Cruz 

            P2,446,867.19

Construction of MASAM Agricultural Productivity Center

 (Phase 5), Canyuom

            P   777,861.66

Construction of 3 Units Park Cottages, City Forest Park 

            P2,856,937.08

Improvement of Maasin City College (Phase 6) 

            P2,498,295.40

Improvement of Maasin Commercial Complex Bldg 

            P   441,621.33

Additional Improvement of Danao Dormitory, City Forest Park    

             P   510,971.76

Construction of 230 L.M. Concrete Pavement, City Forest Park 

             P2,540,612.97

Improvement of City Road, Terminal Area 

             P   916,649.15

Construction of Market Stalls (24 Units), Reclamation Area 

             P3,930,029.62

Construction of Market Stalls (12 Units), Reclamation Area 

             P2,664,465.44

Construction of Barbeque Stalls Boardwalk (Phase 1), Reclamation Area   

P1,217,970.98

Construction of PNP Detachment, Tawid 

            P  610,770.31

Improvement of Maasin City College (Phase 7) 

            P3,188,435.18

Construction of Obstacle Course, City Forest Park 

            P   266,850.00

Construction of 1 Unit 2 Classroom Sch Bldg, Ibarra NHS

            P1,835,843.82

Construction 120 L.M. Lined Canal, Pasay 

            P  979, 999.75

Construction of Evacuation Center (Phase 3), Cansirong 

            P1,687,988.16

Construction of Multi-Purpose Concrete Pavement, Bagtican 

            P  429,988.05

Construction of Concrete Pavement, Hinapu Daku

            P  827,524.91

Construction of Cross Drainage System, Rafols St., Tungatunga 

            P  186,608.00

Construction of 220 L.M. Concrete Pavement, Hinapu Daku-Libertad

            P2,201,365.91

Construction of Concrete Pavement, Bactul II 

            P  999,380.62

Construction of Maasin City Gymnasium 

            P5,439,176.87

Construction of Concrete Pavement, Bato I-Bato II 

            P   994,687.24

Improvement of CHU III Bldg, Manhilo 

            P1,070,833.89

Rehabilitation of Various Schools, Manhilo ES & NHS and TOPS 

             P1,119,654.62

Maasin City Hosts EVRAA 2012

As early as February 2011, right after the opening ceremonies of the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet in Calbayog City, it was already agreed by the Regional Sports Board that Maasin City will be the host of the biggest gathering of athletes in the region by next year.  It was even announced during the closing ceremony to all athletes and officials “See you in Maasin City in 2012.”

It was a distinction that earned Maasin as an aggressive host.  Usually, hosts were determined just few months before the big event.  But when Southern Leyte deferred its hosting for 2012, it was Maasin’s turn to be offered as the next division to stage the annual sporting event.  

I consulted Gov. Damian Mercado and Cong. Roger Mercado if Southern Leyte is willing to help us as co-host of the EVRAA in 2012.  As expected, the two leaders gave their yes, and immediately I informed the DepEd Regional Office of our intention to accept the hosting of the big event.      

Then Maasin Schools Division Superintendent Pedro Escobarte informed the Regional Director Rosemarie Saet and the different superintendents were unanimous in awarding the hosting of the EVRAA 2012 to Maasin City.

On October 20, 2011, the 100 Days Countdown was launched at the Anatalio Gaviola Plaza with Regional Sports Coordinator Cesar Verunque as the guest of honor.  It was attended by hundreds of athletes, officials, and teachers including city employees and the general public.  

But the preparations were disturbed by rains especially the preparation of the track and field oval at the Southern Leyte Sports Complex and the baseball and soccer fields.  However, covered courts were ready in the different barangays to host the indoor events.  Athletes’ trainings were also interrupted by the inclement weather.

Through the persistent preparation by the Maasin City Sports Council led by Atty. Feorillo Demeterio, Jr. and the City Schools Division Sports Coordinator Fernando Salapi, everything was ready including the billeting schools and the playing venues. Teachers and city employees provided beds and beddings for our delegations. 

Delegations kept arriving staring January 26, 2012.  And every thing was set for the opening ceremony.  The opening parade on January 29 kicked off the EVRAA 2012 from the plaza to the sports complex.  Delegations paraded in alphabetical order, starting with Biliran, Calbayog City, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar. Ormoc City, Samar, Southern Leyte, Tacloban City, and the host Maasin City was the last. 

No less than Pilipinas Got Talent Grand Champion Maasinhon Trio serenaded the crowd.   Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, who was in-charge of sports in the DepEd, was the guest of honor.   Maasin City Division Superentindent Genis Murallos welcomed our delegations.  Cong. Mercado and Gov. Mercado and the provincial and city officials were there.  It showcased the unity and solidarity of our leaders which were not present in the other provinces and cities.   

As in any Olympics, SEA Games or Asian Games, the lighting of the Friendship Flame was the highlight of the opening.  Our national gold and silver medalists carried the torch around the track.   To the surprise of the audience, the runners stopped in front of the grandstand to turn over the privilege of lighting the urn to the “true champion of sports in Maasin City.”  I run with the athletes to the place where the urn was situated.  To the background music of the movie “Superman” and “The Ten Commandments” the urn was lighted and the EVRAA signage was lighted by fireworks.  

Another grand show of fireworks lighted the sky when the EVRAA 2012 was formally opened by Director Luisa Bautista-Yu.  All were impressed of the grand display of pyrotechnics which happened only in the Maasin hosting of the EVRAA.  What followed was the very enjoyable Welcome Night at the city gym. 

Competitions began on January 30.  As expected powerhouse Leyte dominated most of the games.  They are the biggest delegation numbering more than 600 athletes and officials.  Maasin City athletes fought hard to show the home crowd that we are determined to become champions in some events and to go for the gold.  

The most interesting of all was our delegation in the archery event.  Only three days before the start of the games, the bows ordered from Manila arrived.  The athletes practically were briefed on the basics of archery for two weeks only.  It was the first time we joined archery in the EVRAA.  The boys’ team placed 5^th and the girls’ team placed 6^th  out of 8 participating teams.  

We also fielded entries in arnis for the first time in EVRAA history.  And our girls garnered 6 gold medals enroute to winning the championship in their division.  They trained for only five months and started from scratch, like archery.    

Maasin City became champions in boys’ and girls’ swimming, girls’ volleyball, girls' lawn tennis, and boys’ boxing in the elementary and in the girls’ swimming, girls’ arnis, boys’ badminton, and boys' and girls’ table tennis in the secondary division.  In the elementary level, Leyte got 1^st place, Eastern Samar 2^nd place and Maasin City 3^rd place.  In the secondary level, Leyte got 1^st place, Eastern Samar 2^nd place, Ormoc City 3^rd place, and Maasin City tied with Tacloban City at 4^th place.

In the overall championship, Leyte was 1^st, Eastern Samar was 2^nd, and Maasin City was 3^rd.   Our consolation was that Maasin City emerged the top city as it bested Ormoc City (4^th place), Tacloban City (5^th place) and Calbayog City (10^th place).   The other delegations’ overall standings were Samar (6^th place), Northern Samar (7^th place), Southern Leyte (8^th place), and Biliran (9^th place). 

Maasin City became the champion in the secondary division when it hosted the EVRAA in 2005.  It was the time when the standings were decided in terms of medals won.  This time the point system similar to that of the Palarong Pambasa was used. 

On the other hand, if we failed to win the championship, we were rated “excellent” by Mr. Verunque on the matter of hosting the games.  During the evaluation conducted by the tournament managers days before the opening, they rated our playing venues at 95%.  According to them, this is the first time alternate venues were prepared for volleyball and lawn tennis in case it rains so the games won’t be interrupted.    And it was one of those rare EVRAA meets which were never postponed even if the preparations were disturbed by the rains.     

True to its theme “School Sports: Avenue for a Healthy Lifestyle,” the EVRAA 2012 was the first ever “Smoke-Free EVRAA.”  For it was held in the city that cares for the health.