by Marian Chriselle Galvan
UPB Volleyball Men and Women Varsity Team while receiving their certificate of recognition during the Tagis Lakas 2020.
In celebration of the iskolar-atleta ng bayan, University of the Philippines Baguio held Tagis Lakas with the theme “We Dare, We Struggle, We Fight As One,” held at the UPB parking lot, February 7. The event shed light on issues faced by the student-athletes and the UPB community. These include lack of spaces, funding and support for the student-athletes.
“Ang layunin ng event na to talaga is tugonan yung mga isyu at sitwasyon dito sa loob ng unibersidad. Dahil ang problema naman ng student-athletes ay hindi lang problema nila kung hindi problema ng buong community. Kaya dapat binibigyan nating halaga yung mga student-athletes; dapat mas involved.” Mikee Salud, sports desk councilor of the University Student Council said during her opening remarks.
Salud also gave an educational discussion on the student-athletes’ situation. She discussed the Master Development Plan (MDP) or the commercialization of spaces within the university, and how it posed as a problem to the whole UPB community.
“Yun yung dahilan kung bakit tayo nauubusan ng spaces. Hindi lang yung athletes, kung hindi tayo lahat,” she concluded.
The seven sports varsities first received certificates in acknowledgment of their hard work and the recognition they brought to the university.
Subsequently, the pageant portion showcased representatives from five organizations, namely: the Management Economics Society, CADUA, Bahaghari, UP Namnama and UPPL PUSOY. Each candidate presented three different outfits, along with their own advocacies relevant to the student-athletes’ struggles.
The contestants carried their advocacies until the theme wear segment. For instance, Nathan Dela Cruz, the contestant from UP Namnama sported a cape with the words ‘athletes for professional eligibility'.
The question-and-answer segment then tested the contestants’ knowledge, wit and sentiments regarding the struggles faced by the student-athletes, the UPB community and the nation.
Bryan Dominic Agor of Bahaghari – Baguio Chapter was crowned the Tagis Lakas Superstar 2020.
Tagis Lakas Superstar 2020 Bryan Dominic Agor in his 2019 SEA Games’ Pami-inspired sportswear.
In addition, the said event featured performances in between intervals from performing organizations Shadows, KEEP UP and TABAK-Baguio, in which the latter delivered an intermission centered on the student-athletes’ lack of training spaces and facilities.
The annual Tagis Lakas stood as a venue for the student-athletes to be recognized and for their issues to be heard. For Debate Varsity member Dante Guittu, “Events like this are a good avenue to forward the earnest complaints of the student-athletes. We feel more empowered to fight for more recognition, appreciation and support.”
Edited by: Kit Munsayac
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