COMVAL to host DAVRAA meet in 2020

Compostela Valley Province----“I am happy that soon, Davawenyo athletes will get to see and experience Compostela Valley. Kita ta ninyo sa Comval ug sa dili madugay Davao de Oro na sunod tuig.”  This was part of the message of Comval Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy as he officially received the “Davao Regional Athletic Association” (DAVRAA) Key and banner together with Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Dr. Reynante A. Solitario of the Department of Education (DEpEd) Compostela Valley Division Office and the DepEd officials.

The ceremonial turnover was held during the closing program of the DAVRAA meet 2019 at the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao – Davao City Sports Complex, Mintal, Davao City on February 2, 2019.

The turnover ceremony of the key and banner was led by the City Government of Davao under Mayor Inday Sarah Duterte, DepEd XI Regional Director Atty. Alberto Escobarte and Former Congressman Isidro Ungab.

According to Solitario that the optimism of Governor Uy to host the 2020 DAVRAA meet in the province "is a good sign for us in the DepEd to jumpstart with our preparation for this big sports event in the Davao Region next year. Deped Comval profusely commits to support this golden opportunity to showcase the province’s best in terms of tourism, facilities and billeting centers for all the delegations across the region."

Solitario added that the commitment of stakeholders would surely make the big difference for the entire province and the region as well. For now, 3 Local Chief Executives are up to host this event, these are Mayor Eutropio Jayectin of Montevista, Mayor Maricel Colina-Vendiola of Maragusan and Mayor Roberto Yugo of Pantukan.

Solitario explained that the Quality Assurance Division of DepEd Region XI shall conduct ocular inspection and validation to these municipalities as to the requirements.

“Indeed, this is also a good opportunity for young athletes to complete in a whole new different playing field and this time in the home court. It will be an opportune moment to showcase our vibrant culture as well as reveal to the whole region how highly competitive the province of Comval, soon to be Davao de Oro in all aspects not only in sports-tourism,” said Solitario.

On the other hand, DepEd Comval received the following achievements during the recently concluded DAVRAA Meet 2019 in Davao City as the overall 6th Runner Up in Regular Sports with 10 gold, 31 silver and 55 bronze medals with a total of 52 qualified athletes for “Palarong Pambansa” with 9 coaches and chaperons.

Comval also receive a special award as the Champion for the Most Innovative and Attractive Design in the Main Entrance, First Runner-Up for the Most Eco-Friendly Delegation Quarter (Kitchen, mess hall); Overall 2nd Runner Up in Para Games; and 4th Runner-Up Cleanest Billeting Quarter. (Rey Antibo, ID Comval)

Comval Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy officially received the “Davao Regional Athletic Association” (DAVRAA) Key and banner together with Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Dr. Reynante A. Solitario of the Department of Education (DEpEd) Compostela Valley Division Office as the next host for the DAVRAA meet 2020. The ceremonial turnover was held during the closing program of the DAVRAA meet 2019 at the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao – Davao City Sports Complex, Mintal, Davao City on February 2, 2019. (Provincial Photo, M. Lasaca)

Love and marriage

My column in Mindanao Daily and Businessweek Mindanao

I am old-fashioned. Since many decades, I love collecting old magazine and news paper clippings. Can you imagine how my two offices look like? 

Anyway, in a very old issue of PHILADELPHIA NEWS, columnist Larry Fields confessed: "I lead a life of wine, women and song (by the way, a wonderful waltz of the Austrian Johann Strauss!) - it's cheaper than petrol, food and rent!"

Is LOVE just an expression? Or love and marriage?

Some marriages are made in heaven. You know some? I do. The best of the rest is just simply down-to-earth. Maybe also yours? I am blessed and happy celebrating soon my 36th wedding anniversary this coming March 2019... .

Maybe, my dear readers, you remember this, "Then the prince swept the lovely young maiden into his arms and carried her home to his castle. And they live happily ever after!" Indeed, they did. Meanwhile, I met several couples, who would say: happily never after!

What I would like to see is an autonomous in home affairs study of all these title of nobility bearers seven years after their happily-ever-after marriages. Or even earlier, because the so-called darned and tricky seventh marriage year could be even the first one already.

The truth is that life isn't made up of the continual highs found in the initial stages of courtship. Of course, flirting is fun and a wide groove existing. But after a while our system needs a rest. Unanimously, we're in the second stage sooner or later and our marriage life needs badly a new outside coating.

All of a sudden, the partner prefers day and night watching all the sports channels, falls asleep while you're revealing your innermost secrets and even forgets the anniversary for the first or even second time . Just bear in mind: You've won each other's acceptance  and sometimes even feelings terrible gloomy. This acceptance shouldn't be undervalued.

Even we see a house that has to be cleaned, many other things have to be organized, and the partner, who looks as fatigued and bored as you feel. Logical question: "That's it? That WAS it?"

And suddenly, we experienced the third stage and learned, why it's worth the ups and downs. Maybe we men don't mention any more, how incredible she looks, but we enjoy bleating and grousing at her spending innumerable hours putting her together. But then, suddenly, we men are to unload the garbage without being asked for.

Although no marriage is continually blissful - it can be pretty good most of the time. When we lasted through arguments, money worries, and kid's problems or slowly but surely coming up mid-life crises, we should face reality that our relationship is not always a big day celebration.

It's because the fundamental  reason for a marriage has outlasted the craziness of day-to-day living: we love each other. That's MY idea of "Happily ever after, indeed!"

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. It should not be a reason or a sad excuse to bring flowers for our partner and invite her to an amazing lunch or hotel overnight stay. As I said, I am very much old fashioned.