‘Sports for Humanity’ – weeklong BU Olympics kicks off 10k ‘HATAW’ fest The annual BU Olympics jumpstarted its weeklong celebration with a bang!
Around 10,000 dancers, consisting of first and second year students, joined for the first time by the senior high school students and the teaching and non-teaching personnel, grooved to the rhythm of a 12-minute hataw during the opening ceremonies of the BU OLYMPICS 2023 at the BU-PGA Sports Complex on October 24, 2023.
Starting with a parade of colors from the BU Daraga to the BU-PGA Sports Complex, 20 academic units across the university marched off their athletes and coaches to gather once again in the annual university sports competitions centered on the theme “ BUEÑOS: Stronger Together through Sports for Humanity.” The university officials, college administrators, guests, and teaching and non-teaching personnel also joined the march to signify support and unity in the celebration.
As the Chairperson of the BU Athletic Board, Atty. Norly P. Reyes, Vice President for Administration and Finance, delivered the welcome address and acknowledged the support of the BU community in this endeavor. He also reminded the student-athletes to always exhibit the highest sense of sportsmanship and form friendships among fellow BUeño athletes.
Present were also some invited local leaders across the province to share their messages of support: Cong. Alfred Apid Delos Santos, Ang Probinsyano Representative (through a video message); Hon. Christopher Co, Former Representative of AKO BICOL and BHW Partylist; Cong. Elizaldy S. Co, AKO BICOL Partylist; on behalf of Cong. Joey Salceda, Albay 2nd District Representative, Hon. Adrian Salceda, Municipal Mayor of Polangui; and on behalf of Gov. Edcel Grex Lagman, Governor of the Province of Albay, Vice Governor Glenda Ong Bongao.
Iconic ‘HATAW’ achieved many firsts
In the 12-minute dance moves led by the host unit, the Institute of Physical Education, Sports, and Recreation (IPESR), around 10,000 dancers gathered, which broke the record of ‘HATAW’ as of writing, in the BU-PGA Sports Complex.
For the first time, the senior high school department of the College of Education Integrated Laboratory School (CEILS) was invited, as well as the first-time joiners: the College of Law (CL), College of Medicine (CM), teaching, and non-teaching personnel. It is also the first time that a BU President, Baby Boy Benjamin D. Nebres III, has joined the performance.
Hues of metallic blue and silver shined in the oval, waving from one direction to the next. The audience was in awe to witness the well-executed, synchronized movements and energizing performance. During one of their routines, a leap was made, and the sheer intensity radiated its way to the bleachers, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the exhilarating energy and joy exuded by the multitude of dancers.
The performance concluded with a fireworks display and a live band intermission.
IPESR still ‘Home of the Champions’
Amassing 1,125 points, IPESR still proves to be the ‘Home of the Champions’, leading a huge gap with the College of Engineering (CENG) as the 1st runner-up with 346 points in this year’s BU Olympics.
The College of Business, Economics, and Management (CBEM) has made it to 2nd runner-up with 259 points, followed by the BU Polangui with 252 points.
The ranking based on highest to lowest points is as follows: College of Industrial Technology (238), College of Science (220), BU Guinobatan (180), College of Nursing (164), College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (122), Institute of Design and Architecture (121), BU Gubat (107), BU Tabaco (90), College of Arts and Letters (56), College of Medicine (18), College of Education (13), College of Law (3), Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance and Development (0), and College of Dental Medicine (0).
It can be recalled that last year, IPESR dominated the scoreboard with 1,114 points, leading almost 800 points against BU Polangui, landing 1st Runner-Up with 316 points, followed by the College of Engineering (CENG) as 2nd Runner-Up with 286 points.
MMBU crowns new title holders
The quest for this year’s Mr. and Ms. Bicol University reached its pinnacle during the coronation night held at the Albay Astrodome, on November 10, 2023.
CM and CSSP had redeemed the crown, represented by Joshua Philip Panga and Angelia Sheriza Tino, as the Mr. and Ms. Bicol University. It can be recalled that in the MMBU 2022, the title holders were also from the same college: Mr. BU 2022 Joseph Cedric Duano, a pioneer candidate from CM, and Ms. BU 2022 Rhianne Macy Zapata from CSSP.
Robert Barnard from CS and Julianne Dizon from CAL both secured the 1st Runner-Ups. Following closely were CAL representative Summer Jan Forrest Untalan and CM Muse Angelica Kyle Santos, followed as the 2nd Runner-Ups.
To complete the roster of new title holders, the 3rd Runner-Up post was bestowed to Justin Jarme from CIT and Marifranz Rico from CENG. | by Arnold C. Noda, MPS I-CPRO
📷: Dennis Banico, Joshua Codorniz (BU CPRO); Julia Mendez, Avril Precillas (Student Affiliates)