By Jade Ian Rondina and Eñego Tejas Jr., The Tradesman
The University Urn was lit once again, signalling the start of Palaro 2018.
Themed “One Sport. One Cultural Identity. One University.” Samar State University (SSU) opened this year’s Palaro today, October 17, with a first-time contest, the drill dance.
As a prelude to open the Palaro, the drill dance substituted the cheer dance.
According to the host, CASPED (Culture, Arts, Sports and Physical Education Department), it’s less dangerous than the cheer dance as the drill dance is only limited to the execution of hands and body posture.
The competition was included in this year’s Palaro only to “add color to the opening program,” said Dr. Madelynn Reposo, CASPED officer-in-charge.
Though excluded in SCUAA (State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association) Meet, it is recognized in Palaro and is included in ranking for points.
First champ of the first drill dance
Marking history, the College of Education (CoEd) beat seven other units in the drill dance competition to be the first champion.
Clad in their blue and black costumes, CoEd dancers performed the best amid the noon heat.
CoEd became the first champion “because they have the precision,” said Mr. Rowel Dacanay, a judge of the event.
“When we say precision, the correctness of execution. And they have a good choreography,” Dacanay said. “And they mastered the routine, and their synchronization is good – these are the reasons why CoEd won the competition.”
Rosybelle Sablad, coach of the winning team, said that she was “teary-eyed” because of the victory.
“The efforts, the sleepless nights, the conceptualization, because we did the blocking while the others are partying, celebrating the Teacher’s Day, it was paid off. Worth it,” Sablad said.
“Thankful talaga kami nga biskan an ira mga choreographer mga professional, an amon mga 4th year MAPEH majors, still, kami la gihap an nagdaog (We are thankful that even when their choreographers are professionals, ours were 4th year MAPEH major students, still, we won),” Maria Ana Romano, one of the performers, said.
Tailing behind CoEd were the College of Engineering (Unit III) as 2nd, and SSU Paranas Campus (Unit VI) as 3rd.
Essence of SSU Palaro
“It is not about winning or losing a game, it is how we play it,” Dr. Marilyn Cardoso, university president, said during her inspirational talk in the opening program.
“The essence of sports depends primarily on your ability to perform the learning you get from your defeat and the authentic join of field from your success,” she added.
The annual event started with a parade of the participating colleges and external campuses. This was joined by the newly crowned Mr. SSU, Ryan Joshua Ligon, and Miss SSU, Ma. Claire Dungon, with the other honoraries.