SOME 272 scholars from various Cagayan State University (CSU) satellite campuses joined the commencement of Senator (Sonny) Angara's Barkada League 2024 Season 2 at the CSU Gonzaga Campus on March 4, 2024.
Officially opening the three-day sports fest, CSU Officer-In-Charge (OIC) President Arthur Ibañez thanked the senator "for his commendable efforts in authoring and sponsoring various acts for the youth and for the country's workforce, health and medicine, women empowerment, Sangguniang Kabataan support, sports and many others."
In 2019, CSU celebrated the first Angara Cup "to promote camaraderie and unity among Angara's student-scholars through sports.
CSU said the senator has provided scholarship opportunities for CSU students, regardless of their course or year level, to support financially challenged students since 2017. Each scholar receives P7,500 each semester to alleviate their financial burdens and pursue their academic goals.
Currently, 342 scholars are enjoying financial benefits from the Angara Scholarships. There are 83 scholars from the Andrews campus, 41 from Aparri, 68 from Carig, 32 from Gonzaga, 25 from Lal-lo, 20 from Lasam, 34 from Piat, and 39 from Sanchez Mira.
"This dedication and commitment of the good senator in promoting the development of the young generation will surely create a significant impact on their lives," Ibañez said.
He also thanked the senator for "strengthening this community through sports, fostering unity in the midst of diversity and instilling in our students the spirit of belongingness, of pride in victories and humility in defeat."
During the opening of the event, around 1,000 CSU community members welcomed guests and speakers with their colorful, energetic and flawless cultural dance presentation displaying the talents of the Cagayano youth and the rich culture of Cagayan.
Thanking CSU for hosting the event, Niño Nuñez and Gene Pahati who represented the offices of Angara and Senator Pia Cayetano, underscored the importance of sportsmanship that "the true spirit of sportsmanship is fair play, teamwork and mutual respect for one another."
The sports fest games included badminton, basketball, volleyball and sepak takraw which were participated by delegates from different campuses of CSU, along with their coaches and Office of Student Development and Welfare (OSDW) and sports coordinators.
CSU Piat Campus emerged as the champion in men's badminton, while Carig Campus won the top spot in the women's category. CSU Sanchez Mira Campus secured the championship title in basketball followed by Lal-lo and Gonzaga campuses.
Sanchez Mira Campus also excelled in sepak takraw, with Lal-lo and Gonzaga campuses taking top positions. Lal-lo emerged victorious in volleyball, with Lasam and Carig securing the second and third positions.
Cash prizes were awarded to the winners with champions receiving P10,000 and the first and second runners-up getting P7,000 and P5,000 respectively, and P5,000 to the badminton champion, with P3,000 and P2,000 for first and second runners-up.
Gonzaga town Mayor Marilyn Pentecostes was represented by her executive assistant Dondon Collado during the event's opening.
CSU Vice Presidents Mariden Cauilan who delivered the opening remarks, Junel Guzman and Teresita Dimalanta; and Campus Executive Officers Roger Rumpon of Carig, Ramon Henri Peregrino Kanapi of Andrews, Policarpio Mabborang Jr. of Lal-lo, Audy Quebral of Aparri, Florante Victor Balatico of Lasam, Hitler Dangatan of Piat, Rodel Francisco Alegado of Sanchez Mira, and Ma. Haidee Mabborang of Solana also joined the event.