BUeños groove to BU HATAW; IPESR wins back-to-back in BU Olympics

After two years of virtual hataws, BU HATAW made its comeback that kickstarted the 53rd BU Olympics at the BU-PGA Sports Complex, on October 26, 2022.

Bannering the theme “BUeñong Atleta Tungo sa Isang Handa at Makabagong Panahon,” BUeños from all around the campus, colleges, and institutes of the university gathered onsite for the first time at the Peñaranda Park, Legazpi City, to parade their academic units and support the student-athletes competing in the different sports events. The BU officials, deans, directors, and the teaching and non-teaching personnel of the university were also present to participate in the annual activity.

Despite the light rainfalls, the march to the BU-PGA Sports Complex continued. The venue was jampacked with visitors, spectators, and students across the university. Different colors splashed the sports complex representing each academic unit and office. After all the participants from the campuses, colleges, and institutes arrived, the opening program proper commenced.

Organized by the Institute of Physical Education, Sports, and Recreation (IPESR), through the leadership of its Director, Prof. Carina L. Sales, prominent guests and visitors were also present to witness the BU HATAW. Freshmen and Sophomore BUeños for the dance number were already in place at the sports complex oval while holding a prop made out of blue metallic foil shaped into a pompom.

To invoke aid, protection, and inspiration in the conduct of the activities, Dr. Reina O. Habalo, Chief of the Presidential Management Staff, led an invocation followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and BU Hymn, sang by Mariel Rose T. Reyes, an IPESR student.

VP for Administration and Finance, Atty. Joseph L. Bartolata, made the introduction and acknowledgment of the special guests and support of the BU officials, deans, directors, and students. Afterward, a cheering squad number was performed by the BU Magayon Dance Troupe. A message of support was then delivered by one of the invited guests, Hon. Carlwyn Baldo, Mayor of the Municipality of Daraga.

Salceda promises 300M for new BU buildings

In celebration of his 61^st birthday and in conjunction with the 53^rd BU Olympics, Albay 2^nd District Representative Cong. Joey S. Salceda declared his continued support to the university promising 50 million each for the new building of the Polangui Campus (PC), IPESR, College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF), College of Dentistry, College of Medicine (CM), and College of Science (CS), totaling to 300 million.

BU President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, thereafter, held a cake for the congressman as the crowd sang him a happy birthday song. Salceda has been an avid supporter spreading “constant kindness” to the projects of BU may it be in terms of infrastructure or events spearheaded by the university.

The program continued with the presentation of delegations from the different academic units participating for this year’s BU Olympics. The deans, directors, and representatives of the various colleges, campuses, and institutes of the university were given a chance to present their unit and inspire the student-athletes with a brief message.

The BU Olympics athlete then takes the Athlete’s Oath led by Lovely Joy D. Codovilla, a student-athlete from IPESR, followed by the momentous lighting of the Olympics Friendship Flame participated by the IPESR faculty members with Prof. Jo-ann Grecia. They jogged at the sports complex track while passing the torch of flame that ignited the Olympics Friendship Flame.

Further, the dynamic BU President also delivered his message expressing his excitement and full support of the onsite BU HATAW and BU Olympics.

“Tonight, we gather for the first time as one, big Bicol University family after more than two years here at the Sports Complex… Daing makakadaog sa pamilyang BU-rugkos asin BU-runyog,” he said.

The spectators online and onsite then witnessed the much-anticipated BU HATAW where approximately 8,000 BUeños jived into the retro-modern music. The color blue waves and movement in the oval left the audience in awe every time a sync dance routine was executed. Some IPESR instructors also joined the performance leading the students in a small platform at the front center of the oval. The performance lasted for 15 minutes and the energy of the performers was still at peak.

The opening program concluded with a marvelous fireworks display while Mariel Rose Reyes sang “Fireworks” by Katy Perry.

IPESR proves title of ‘Home of the Champions’

After more than five days of various sports competitions, IPESR dominated the scoreboard with 1,114 points leading almost 800 points against Polangui Campus (PC) landing 1^st Runner-Up with 316 points followed by the College of Engineering (CENG) as 2^nd Runner-Up with 286 points. The College of Science also earned its place as 3^rd Runner-Up with 221 points.

The Home of the Champions asserted dominance in almost every sports event, both in men's and women's categories. Based on the scoreboard, PC and CENG barely made it against IPESR.

The following are the current ranking per college based on highest-to-lowest points earned: College of Business, Economics, and Management (CBEM), College of Industrial Technology (CIT), Institute of Design and Architecture (IDeA), College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF), College of Nursing (CN), College of Education (CE), Gubat Campus (GC), College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), Tabaco Campus (TC), College of Arts and Letters (CAL), and the Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance and Development (JMRIGD).

MMBU crowns new title holders

As part of the university’s annual tradition, the search for the Mr. and Ms. BU was newly crowned during the coronation night at the Albay Astrodome, on November 5, 2022.

This year’s Mr. BU is Joseph Cedric Duano, a pioneer candidate from the College of Medicine, and Ms. BU Rhianne Macy Zapata from CSSP. The pair was also awarded the Ambassador and Ambassadress of Ms. K Events, Mr. and Ms. GlobeOne, Mr. and Ms. SMART, Mr. and Ms. AGRI Partylist, Mr. and Ms. Congeniality, and People’s Choice Award.

Duano was also named Mr. Powermax and TAYO Inc., Mr. Converge, and Man of the Press, while his counterpart, Ms. BU, Zapata won Ms. Talent, Best in Swimwear, Best in Long Gown, and Best in Ramp.

Hoping for a back-to-back win from last year, CAL contenders Joshua Onsay and Thiara Marie San Pablo were both crowned as Mr. and Ms. BU 1^st Runner-Ups. They also received the Mr. and Ms. Proxy Hotel corporate award.

Onsay was awarded as Best in Formal wear for the male category. San Pablo, on the other hand, was proclaimed Ms. Converge ICT Solutions and the Cong. Joey Sarte Salceda Choice Award, wherein she also received ₱50,000 cash award along with IPESR candidate John Laurence Miranda. She also won the Best in Production Number and Ms. Photogenic.

Meanwhile, CN candidate Kahji Dane Mark Gimoro and Charlene Boholano, a JMRIGD pioneer candidate for the pageant, were both hailed as Mr. and Ms. BU 2^nd Runner-Ups. Additionally, Boholano received the Ms. Powermax and TAYO Inc. and the Darling of the Press titles.

Lastly, the Mr. and Ms. BU 3^rd Runner-Ups were claimed by Aldrin Abion, another pioneer candidate of JMRIGD, and Rani Lachmi Dado of IDeA. Abion was also awarded as Best in Production Number.

Furthermore, Alvin John Chavez, a strong candidate from CENG, grabbed the Mr. Anytime Fitness, Mr. Photogenic, Best in Swimwear, and Best in Ramp titles. Ms. IPESR Jessaiah Mae Baldesco was also given the Ms. Anytime Fitness and Ms. Blanche awards while Mr. TC candidate Francie Galeza was named Mr. Blanche and Mr. CIT Ryan Benito Niño Almojuela Masagca as Mr. Talent.

The new title holders will be representing the university in various regional and national state university pageants. | by Arnold C. Noda, CPRO