OLONGAPO’S LAROLYMPICS 2009 A SUCCESS

More than five (500) hundred children from the seventeen (17) barangays of Olongapo aged seven (7) to ten (10) in the Chikiting Category and eleven (11) to fifteen (15) in the Bagets Caterogy competed in Patintero, Piko and Tumbang Preso at Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center on July 17 and 18, 2009 in the first ever Larolympics. The event was a joint effort of the city and Anak TV Foundation.

Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. led the awarding of winners in the elimination and the championship round assisted by Anak TV Foundation President and IBC-13 President Bob del Rosario, RPN-9 Assistant General Manager Edith del Rosario, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President Cheenee Hoya and City Councilor Rodel Cerezo.

The following reaped victory in the recently held Larolympics 2009:

PIKO

Chikiting Category – Brgy. Barretto

• Sheanelle Maureen Moran

• Dianne del Rosario

• Nicole Espelimbergo

• Rhianna Mae del Rosario

PIKO

Bagets Category – Brgy. Pag-asa

• Ressha Jean Moselina

• Lovely Dianne Saplala

• Aprilyn Uriza

• Crislaine Yabut

PATINTERO

Chikiting Category – Brgy. Kalaklan

• Angelo Reyes

• John Renz Gaudia

• Ellaine Joy Gedaria

• Patricia Jane Dumalasa

PATINTERO

Bagets Category – Brgy. East Bajac-Bajac

• Leshia dela Cruz

• Lorelie Villanueva

• Yuto Uriza

• Mark Anthony Bigao

TUMBANG PRESO

Chikiting Category – OCARE & Social Development

Center (SDC)

• Jeric Pura

• Mark Ancello Franco

• Arjay Ausan

• Danilo Teroy

TUMBANG PRESO

Bagets Category – Brgy. Banicain

• Ryan Errol Macomb

• Christian John Handumon

• Ronoel Bjorn Leonor

• Micoh Angel

Meanwhile, Christian Cabaltica and Crislaine Yabut from Bagets Category, Jonas Mateo and Sheena Mae Martollas from Chikiting Category were named as the Larolympics 2009 Most Valuable Players (MVP).

The winning teams earned the right to compete with Makati, Marikina, Bacolod, Baguio, Iloilo, QuezonCity, Cebu, Tuguegarao and Iligan City at the national level on August 2009.

Anak TV Foundation Secretary General Mag Cruz Hatol, Arn-Arn of GMA 7’s Unang Hirit and national media from IBC-13, RPN-9, NBN-4 and Manila Bulletin graced the event and witnessed the Championship Games.

"Larolympics" came from the word "larong Pinoy" and "Olympics", a tournament which features traditional games such as Piko, Tumbang Preso and Patintero.

Anak TV Foundation decided to put some ‘twist’ in the games, for instance, in Patintero, the lines used were inscribed with children’s rights, as though they are protecting them while the tin can used in Tumbang Preso bear drawings of drugs, cigarettes and alcohol which the participants have to turn down or resist.

Mayor Bong Gordon in the ceremonial toss of Tumbang Preso during the Larolympics 2009. Also in the picture are Anak TV Foundation President and IBC-13 President Bob del Rosario, City Councilor Rodel Cerezo and City Social Welfare and Development Office head Gene Eclarino. The two (2) day event was held at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center on July 17 and 18, 2009.

Pao/rem