SCUAA season kicks off tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - Amid a promise of another banner year in sports, the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA)-National Capital Region opens its 22nd season with a fitting ceremony tomorrow at the Rizal Technological University grounds in Mandaluyong.

Senator Mar Roxas, Congressman Neptali Gonzales and Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr. will lead the guests of honor during the colorful opening ceremony prepared by this year’s host, RTU starting at 3 p.m.

Roxas, Gonzales and Abalos will deliver the inspirational remarks, while RTU president Dr. Jose Macaballug will declare the formal opening of the SCUAA-NCR competition.

“We’re leaving no stone unturned to ensure the success of the opening of our 22nd SCUAA-NCR season,” said Macaballug, who is hosting the annual sports spectacle among leading state colleges and universities for the second time in six years.

“We are really proud to say that all the member-schools of SCUAA-NCR are really moving ahead toward sports excellence, which is also our general theme,” added Macaballug, who also tapped Dr. Gregorio Coronel as the executive director of the 22nd SCUAA-NCR season.

Aside from perennial overall champion RTU, the other member-schools of SCUAA-NCR are Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, Technological University of the Philippines, Philippine Normal University, Marikina Polytechnic College and Philippine State College of Aeronautics.

Coronel said the grand opening ceremony will kick off with the traditional parade of the athletic delegations from the seven member-schools at the Mandaluyong City Hall (fronting the gymnasium) at 3 p.m.

The Teatro Rizalio will provide the opening salvo.

The RTU Chorale will lead the singing of the national anthem before Dr. Macaballug will deliver the welcome remarks.

Coronel will then introduce the athletic delegations of the different member-schools.

After the inspirational messages of Sen. Roxas, Cong. Gonzales and Mayor Abalos, the SCUAA-NCR flag will be jointly hoisted and the SCUAA-NCR torch will be lighted.

Arkhie Simbillo will lead the oath of sportsmanship.

The opening ceremony will be capped by field demonstration of students of host RTU.

Prof. Jackie Capuchino and Engr. Jaime Licuanan will be the masters of ceremonies.

The actual sports competition will begin the following day.