Luna, Apayao – The curtain came down on the weeklong celebration of camaraderie and sportsmanship with the closing ceremony of the 2024 Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet on Friday, April 19, 2024.
The event, drawing hundreds of student-athletes along with their coaches, officials, personnel of national-line agencies took place at the Apayao Eco Tourism and Sports Complex (AETSC) in Payanan, Luna, Apayao.
Apayao Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Hon. Hanz Gerald Palacay, being the Sports Committee Chairperson welcomed the participants and felicitated their feats in their respective fields.
"You are all winners. You competed with the spirit of sportmanship and played fairly. I commend you not just for showcasing your athletic talents but also the spirit of camaraderie," he conveyed.
Congressman Eleanor Bulut-Begtang also delivered a message commending not just the athletes but also personnel of various national line agencies for their assistance, paving the way to the success of the biggest sporting event in the region.
For the athletes, she told them that such event is not just about losing or winning but it is significant in developing attitudes and virtues to prepare athletes to become responsible citizens in the future.
The awarding ceremonies followed with Baguio City E-Lions winning the over-all championship title after hauling 420 medals - 237 gold, 111 silver and 72 bronze medals.
Next in rank is Apayao with 62 gold, 74 silver and 107 bronze. Following closely is Benguet with 50-91-89, Ifugao with 27-37-6; Abra with 16, 32, 48; Kalinga with 14-31-57; Tabuk City with 12-18-35; and Mt. Province with 5-27-47.
Special citations were likewise given, along with cash prizes, with Baguio City E-Lions being declared the most eco-friendly delegation while Luna Elementary School and Luna National High School were cited the most eco-friendly billeting schools.
Meantime, formally declaring the event to come to an end is Dep-Ed Assistant Regional Director Arnold Castillo. The closing was officially sealed through the simultaneous lowering of banners.
Once again, this year’s theme song for the biggest regional event was sung by the Tres Bonitas of Dep-Ed Apayao in the person of the song’s lyricist, Dr. Sherry Ann Baria and her companions - Esther Bunuen and Meah Joy Aguon.
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