Luna, Apayao - The 29th Apayao Founding Anniversary celebration kicks off today, February 3, with a sports tournament at the BGVJR Memorial Sports Center in Luna.
The sports festival of the commemorative activity has been showcasing the seven municipalities’ top athletes in previous years, but this time, the games would be played by barangay officials in the province.
As part of the grand kick-off, a parade participated in by all municipalities - Calanasan, Conner, Flora, Kabugao, Luna, Pudtol, and Sta. Marcela was held. Joining them were officials and personnel of various national line agencies in Apayao.
Muses of each municipality were later presented, who showcased their impressive ramps and later showed off their wit through a brief question-and-answer segment.
The segment was won by the representative of Calanasan, garnering a 91.67 percent grade from the judges. She received a cash prize from First District Board Member Kyle Bulut-Cunan and Vice Governor Remy Albano.
As one of the highlights of the opening program, the 14 candidates of the “Taer and Dayag ti Apayao” were given the spotlight, where they proudly flaunted their pasarela walk and formally introduced themselves to the public.
The opening remarks by Vice Governor Albano followed, where he urged his fellow officials to continue working together for the continuous development of the province, further emphasizing that Apayao had already come a long way since its separation from Kalinga in 1995.
Gracing the opening of the sports festival is Ms. Michele Gumabao, a prominent figure not just in volleyball but also in the pageantry world.
In her message, she encouraged the youth to look for a career that will make them happy, may it be in sports or non-sports.
Before becoming a sensational volleyball player, Gumabao shared that she had to brave struggles, including shifting to another course back in her college days just to pursue her passion. She was likewise discouraged by her parents, but she pushed herself.
“Sa [panahon] ngayon, napakalaki na po ng potential ng mga atleta. Sana mas marami pang ma-hone and ma-train sa sports. Malayo ang nararating ng mga atleta sa ngayon as long as we have qualities such as hard work, teamwork, and perseverance,” Gumabao said.
Before the official start of the games, an exhibition game was played by selected yApayao volleyball players along with the team of the athlete-beauty queen.
.png)
