From April 7 to 13, all roads lead to Biñan City – at least, for student-athletes from all over the Calabarzon region.
This, as Biñan City hosted the over 3,000 delegates from the region who participated in the Regional Athletic Association Meet (RAAM) of the Department of Education (DepEd).
The week-long athletic event proved, once again, that Biñan City – which had also hosted large-scale sporting events in the past – is ready to become the new hub for sports in the province of Laguna.
Opening ceremonies
City officials led by Mayor Arman Dimaguila and Vice Mayor Gel Alonte joined Laguna Vice Governor Karen Agapay and officials from DepEd during the opening ceremonies for RAAM, held at the Biñan Football Stadium on April 7.
In his speech during the event, Dimaguila emphasized that the city government’s goal in hosting the RAAM is not only to give Calabarzon’s athletes a chance to shine but also to encourage camaraderie and friendship among the delegates.
"You learn from the best: kapag nakakita kayo ng mga atleta na mas magaling sa inyo, learn from them. At gamitin ninyo ang pagkakataon na ito upang makipagkaibigan [sa mga kapwa ninyo atleta]," the city mayor advised to the athletes as he welcomed them to Biñan City.
He also urged the delegates to "experience Biñan" (the city's official tourism slogan) through visiting its important historical, social and cultural sites.
“Tinitiyak ko po na sa Lungsod ng Biñan, ang mararamdaman ninyo ay ang init – hindi lamang ng panahon, kundi ang pagtanggap ng mga tao sa inyo,” he added.
'Successful'
In its own assessment, the Biñan City Schools Division Office (SDO) characterized the recent RAAM as a "success" - both in terms of the city's hosting of the event and the Biñanense student-athletes' performance during the games.
"Of course, hindi nawawala yung mga insidente ng mga injured na atleta, as well as yung mga hinimatay dahil nga sa sobrang init ng panahon na nararanasan natin, but they were all properly attended by the medics," Dr. Manuela Tolentino, Schools Division Superintendent for Biñan City, told OpinYon Laguna in an interview.
This year’s RAAM also marked an overall improvement for the Biñan City SDO, the official added.
According to the final tally released by the Games Records and Results Committee on April 13, the delegates fielded by the Biñan City SDO garnered a total of 17 gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze medals, placing the city at 9th place among the 23 SDOs in Calabarzon. (See sidebar for list of winners.)
“This is a significant improvement from our performance in last year’s RAAM, where we finished at 14th place,” Tolentino added. “Masaya kaming lahat, especially our coaches and trainers, and of course pati yung mga students at mga magulang nila. Lalo na yung mga nakakuha ng gold medals, because they’re assured of a place at the Palarong Pambansa to be held in Cebu this July.”
Biñan City Representative Len Alonte also hailed the Biñanense athletes who won medals during the RAAM.
"Congratulations! You made us all proud by showcasing the heart and soul of Biñan City through your victory!" Alonte said in a message on her social media page.
Room for improvement
On the other hand, Vice Mayor Gel Alonte expressed his hopes that the city’s improved standing in the 2024 RAAM will serve as an inspiration for Biñanense athletes and their mentors to improve their performance for future sporting events.
“Hopefully, sa mga darating na panahon ay pagpupuirsigihin pa natin upang makarating tayo, at least, sa top five ng RAAM,” Alonte, a known advocate for sports in Biñan City, told OpinYon Laguna in an interview.
The city official also pledged to continue the support given by the local government to their young athletes bound for regional competitions such as the RAAM.
“Siyempre po, tututukan po natin ang pagbibigay ng suporta sa ating mga school, especially the coaches and the athletes; bibigyan po natin sila ng benefits that will encourage them to work hard,” Alonte added.
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