CARAA 2013 opens in Apayao; Mt. Province and Apayao win first gold medals

By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis

Saturday 2nd of March 2013

LUNA, Apayao, March 2(PIA) -- This capital town opened the battle field but this time it is not for the hostilities of conflict but for the CARAA meet being hosted by the province for the first time.

Apayao Vice Governor Hecto Reuel Pascua said this in his opening address during the opening ceremony of the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association(CARAA) meet 2013 being held at the newly inaugurated Apayao Eco-Tourism and Sports Complex in Barangay Payanan here.

“The municipality of Luna was one known as a battle field because of Marag Valley, today, after 18 years, Luna will once again be a battle ground, not because of cessation but because of sports,” Pascua said.

Marag Valley located in Luna was one a stronghold of the rebels fighting against the government troops back in the 80’s but the provincial government of Apayao is very proud that it has been transformed and now being flocked because of sports and eco-tourism.

On Wednesday, February 27, the five-day CARAA meet was formally opened with the inauguration of the sports complex by guests Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former Movie Television Rating and Classification Board Chairperson Grace Poe-Llamanzares together with officials of Apayao led by Governor Elias Bulut Jr., Congresswoman Eleanor Bulut-Begtang and Department of Education officials headed by Regional Director Ellen Donato.

Bulut welcomed the more than 5,000 delegates composed of athletes, coaches, school officials, regional line agency heads and representatives as well as the provincial governors, congressmen and other local officials of Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Baguio City and the host province attended the parade and opening ceremony of the annual regional sports event.

Escudero in his keynote speech encouraged the athletes to perform their best and excel in their respective sports discipline.

“Hiling at dalangin ko, ipakita po ninyo ang inyong talent, ang inyong galing, ang inyong bilis at inyong lakas upang sa gayun mapatunayan kung sino ba talaga ang pinaka magaling dito sa CAR sa iba’t ibang timpalak at sa iba’t ibang competisyon at sa iba’t ibang sports,” (I ask and I pray that the athletes will show their talents, wisdom, agility and strength in the different competition and sports discipline that they will be undertaking to prove who will be the best in their fields in the Cordillera Region), Escudero said.

Poe and Escudero congratulated the province for successfully building a sports complex and for hosting the CARAA meet after 18 years through the initiative of the local officials of the province and the Department of Education.

Meanwhile, during the opening day of the competitions, 12 year-old Vincent Mayames of Mountain Province had a 9.92 meter throw of the shot-put to win the first gold of the CARAA 2013. Ifugao's Rehiel Nabus snatched the silver with a heave of 9.44 while Oliver Calixto's 9.00 throw was good for bronze in the elementary division.

Apayao’s April Ann Laguintay became the latest running hero for the host province after eclipsing her rivals in the 1500-meter run elementary girls division for the gold medal. Laguintay clocked five minutes and 35.55 seconds to win past two Baguio veteran runners in Anica Saydoquen and Maryjoy Bewat, who settled for silver and bronze, respectively.(JDP/RC- PIA CAR)