The Filipino Migrants: OFWS in Abuja: Sportsfest

...the symbol of a unified Pusong Pinoy Association

Last year, the Filipino Community in Abuja hosted a highly successful first Ambassador Basketball League. The PPA new sets of officers galvanized by the enthusiasm of the Pinoys regarding sports made a historic sports fest – Ball Games – basketball, volleyball, tennis and indoor games: scrabble, darts

The event was held last Sunday October 7, 2012 at the well-equipped Abuja National Stadium Annex B.

The community assembled at 7:00 am. It commenced with the singing of the Nigerian and the Philippine National Anthem followed by the Muslim prayer led by Javar Guro and the Christian prayer led by Lito Nucum. The Philippine Ambassador Alex V. Lamadrid who cancelled his trip to Port Harcourt just to be with this momentous occasion addressed the community.

The rich, vibrant colors made the parade very lively coupled with the enthusiasm of the participants.

The parade consisted of four teams representing RED, BLUE, YELLOW and GREEN – so arranged and evenly distributed to accommodate everyone.

Team Leaders :

Red Team - Lolita Victorio and Marlene Cabrera

Blue Team – Clifford Legal and Rex Lautrizo, Tickboy Mercado – Team Manager

Yellow Team – Marissa Trono and Doods Mercado

Green Team – Sheryl and Sheila Reyes

The Opening Day result:

The dynamism of the officers was so contagious … that participants and spectators exhibited the same exuberance during the ceremony, parade and games.

To these officers who toiled hard - planning, executing the plans, looked for sponsors, unselfishly spending and sharing time and effort –– John, Sheen, Andrea, Sherwin, James, Mercy and Gel - you are all marvelous! And to all your friends who lobbied and gave unconditional support – that’s what friends are for….and you all made the difference...

...and to the numerous supporters....

MABUHAY!

...banners displayed for the PPA Sportsfest

...anticipation for the commencement...and such excitement: Sheryl, Fely and Sheila; Rex, Mercy, Amba, John and Renz, Michelle, twins Sheila and Sheryl

...waiting for the fun to begin...Lito, Doods, Ampy and Amb. Lamadrid, Janette, Lolit...

...and just posing ...Doods busy capturing 'people,' Maris, Ramon, Alfredo and Tickboy; Celine and Sheda (at ginawa pang background ang BLUE team), and there's Angie, Vangie, Maris, Ampy, Mich, Katz and Jamie and Alessa, Mabelle and Melanie...

Ambassador Alex V. Lamadrid addressing the community

Oath of Sportsmanship officiated by the Chairman of Sports Committee - Sherwin Cayabyab of Dantata and Sawoe

Yellow, Green, Red and Blue Teams - reciting the Oath of Sportsmanship

...preparing the Blue Team Muses...(walang kawala sa paghila ni Clifford)...

...what will be a game without the muse? here they are...Rose for Yellow, Janice for Red, Jamie and Alessa for Blue...and the handsome young guys - Boy Gumawid for the Red and Boy Andrade for the Blue

...aaaaaaaaaaaannnnnndddddd...the spirited G RRRR E E N Team....C E L I N E...

...and as the story of the E S C O R T unfolds....with a very vocal clamor from the team mates and the other neighboring teams, TJ Barilla braved the threatening fist of Celine and proudly climbed the stairs to be with his muse ...and there they are: the Muse and Escort of the PPA Sportsfest....