Bataan levels up the Regional Kooplympics

MORONG, Bataan – Far from the traditional Kooplympics which is always held at covered courts, this year, the Provincial Government of Bataan, thru the Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office (PCEDO) hosted the 3^rd Regional Kooplympics dubbed as the “Water Edition” geared towards the theme “Cooperatives: The Catalysts of Change through Poverty Eradication and Social Transformation”. Held at Blue Turtle Beach Resort, this town, last October 22, the event aimed to promote camaraderie among the different coop councils within the region which will lead to better linkages among cooperatives, local government units and partner national agencies.

Delagates from the different provinces and cities of Central Luzon such as Angeles City, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Olongapo City, Zambales and the host province Bataan gathered to compete in different water games and in the Amazing Race, the highlight of the event.

The event started with a Zumba session that energized the participants followed by the street dancing performance of the Morong Poblacion Street Dancers which centered on the preservation of our environment, and the parade of colors representing each province.

Central Luzon RCDC Chairperson, Richard E. Avena delivered his opening remarks reminding the participants to observe sportsmanship throughout the activity. Mr. Chodirico Taba, SB Member of the Municipality of Morong graced the event and welcomed the delegates and expressed his gratitude for Morong having been chosen as the venue for said event.

“Simple lamang po ang aming bayan, pero nagpapasalamat po kami na dito (Morong) ninyo pinili na idaos ang inyong Olympics. Makaka-asa po kayo na ibibigay po namin ang inyong mga pangangailangan.”,

Present also in the event were CDA Board of Administrators Hon. Mercedes Castillo and Hon. Eulogio Castillo who gave their messages respectively. To promote sportsmanship, delegates and players took the oath of sportsmanship led by Mrs. Ofelia Hipolito, Mariveles MCDC Chairperson. Mrs. Cynthia Abiol, Director of PCEDO Bulacan together with Avena, passed the symbolic torch to Mrs. Azucena Sugatain, Director of PCEDO Bataan, which signaled the formal opening of the event.

The participants competed in different categories— cheerdance competition, amazing race and some Pinoy games such as limbo rock, patintero and the likes. Ladies around the region vied for the crown of the first ever Ms. FATalbugan 2016, a plus size muse competition.

Achiever cooperatives around Bataan also received tokens of appreciation from PCEDO Bataan for their excellent accomplishments during the awarding ceremony.

Tarlac will be hosting the 4^th Regional Kooplympics in October 2017.

Winners in different events are as follows:

Amazing Race

1^st Place: Angeles City

2^nd Place: Bataan

3^rd Place: Tarlac

Ms. Fatalbugan: Pampanga

Cheerdance Competition

1^st Place: Tarlac

2^nd Place: Bulacan

3^rd Place: Bataan

Most Numbered Delegates: Bulacan