HOSTILITIES in this  year’s State  Colleges  and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) National Olympics  went into full blast Monday at the  Iloilo Sports  Complex and nearby venues.

Senator Franklin Drilon, the keynote  speaker during the colorful opening ceremony last Sunday,  urged  more than 5,000 student-athletes to continue to work hard  to achieve excellence in the sporting field.

“As products of public funds, being an athlete of the SCUAA is one way of giving back  to  the people,” said  Drilon during the  two-hour opening ceremony highlighted by the traditional parade of teams.

Drilon  also challenged  the athletes  to  “develop  hard work, sportsmanship, and  discipline.”

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. , on the other hand, pointed out that  in sports, one is taught to be  honest and responsible.

Defensor also urged all the participants to bring home medals not only to their schools but also to the  country in the years to come.

Dr. Patricia Licuanan, Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) commissioner,  emphasized the importance of team work  during her speech to delegates.

“I’m a true believer of the value of sports in the nation. We need the value of team work that’s badly needed in our country today,” she said while emphasizing that  sports  events such the SCUAA National Olympics are also avenues of discipline and hard work. 

Hosted by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Region VI, the  week-long event  will continue until Feb. 25 .

More than 5,000 delegates and  officials from the  111 SUCs all  over the  country are  taking part in the multi-sports event.

The opening ceremony included a special number from Grupo de  Oeste  fro m   the College of PESCAR of West Visayas State University (WVSU) who has been the grand champion of the Paraw Regatta  samba competition for years now; the  rhythm and music of  the Ritmo  Tambores; the  presentation of  the Mr. and Ms. SCUAA 2012 contestants and candidates; and more exhibitions of talents  from different schools  from the  province and the city of Iloilo.

A 10-minute fireworks display was the finale of the event.

One of the highlights of this year’s  competition is the Search for  “Mr. and Ms. SCUAA”,  which will be held  at the West Visayas State University in La Paz tonight.

The 13  Ms. SCUAA candidates  are  Maybelle Pameroyan (Region 1), Mary Jane Verdillo (Region 2), Jamella  Cruz (Region 4),  Amandeep  Kaur Singh (Region 5), Ariane   Gabriela (Region 6), Chantely  Kae  Gonzales (Region 7), Dionessa Bustamante (Region 8),  Marie Antoinette Barrera  (Region 9), Lovely Jane Estampa   (Region 10), Jovel Viberly Juano  (Region 11), Mary Angelie Cadiz (Region 12), Definie Pakelman (CAR), and Tresha Marie Dadea (NCR).

The Mr. SCUAA competitors include Prince Reginald Estores (Region I), Darylle Francis Salvador  (Region 3), John Alexander Russel (Region 4), Christian Dan Morada (Region 5), Ronel Kay  Juperatum (Region 6), Jeffrey Laranjo (Region 7), Raymond  Tabad (Region 9), Jay Michael  Calipusan  (Region 10), Glendell Jadraque (Region 11), Mark Al-Jamie Muttulani (Region 12), Noel Ogano (CAR), and Eigiee  Edison Magdangal (NCR).

The National SCUAA Olympics is an annual sports competition held among state colleges and  universities all over the Philippines.