BM Kitongan rallies Kalinga Bulls in Final Stretch of CARAA 2026: “Kaya tayo dayta. Awan ti imposible nu agkararag tayo”

La Trinidad, Benguet – As the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) 2026 continues, Board Member and Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Emilio Kitongan, encouraged the young iKalinga athletes—the Kalinga Bulls—to remain focused, motivated, and prayerful as they aim for more victories in the final days of the competition.

Speaking during the fellowship night organized by the Kalinga delegation on February 24 at Buyagan Elementary School, Kitongan reminded the athletes that despite limited training time, their hard work has already shown significant improvement compared to last year.

“We still have two more days to go—kaya tayo dayta. Imbagak met idi send-off tayo nga despite diyay kurang nga training time tayo ket haan kuma nga diyay ti maka-dismaya kanyatayo; no di ket isu ti mang-motivate kadagiti atleta tayo. Makita tayo met ti dakkel nga improvement tayo compared last year… kayang-kaya tayo dayta,” he said.

He also highlighted the support of the provincial government led by Governor James S. Edduba, assuring the athletes that all necessary resources and encouragement are being provided to help them achieve their goals in the region-wide competition.

The board member emphasized the importance of perseverance, prayer, and teamwork as the athletes aim to increase their medal tally in the remaining two days of competition, with hopes of adding more gold medals to their already impressive achievements.

“Ket ti Provincial Government, under the leadership of our governor, araramiden tayo ti amin tapno kitaen tayo no kasano tayo nga i-improve dagitoy nga sports activities tayo. So again, daytoy nga two days, masapol nga agkararag tayo latta—awan ti imposible no agkararag tayo. Adu ti golds tayo ket sapay kuma daytoy nabati nga aldaw ket maadduan pay—so we pray, haan tayo kuma malipatan nga agkararag,” he added.

Kitongan, a board member known for his youth support initiatives, is pushing the establishment of the Kalinga Provincial Sports Council (PSC) to institutionalize support for iKalinga student-athletes who represent the province in regional to national competitions.

As cited in the copy of the ordinance obtained by Guru Press Cordillera, the council will serve as the primary policy-making, coordinating, and implementing body for sports promotion and development in the province.

The ordinance is currently under deliberation at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, headed by Vice-Governor Dave Odiem.

Meanwhile, as of 5:30 PM on February 25, 2026, according to the Dep-Ed Kalinga via Province of Kalinga page, the Kalinga Bulls have secured 17 medals. Kitongan, along with other provincial and local officials and coaches, expressed confidence that with continued effort and prayer, the athletes can add more gold medals in the remaining competitions.