(Archer princess. Maria Karylle “Kaka” Pangilinan of PSAU seeks to top her previous Palaro records by eyeing a gold medal in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa in Davao City.)
(Living his dad’s Palaro dream. Young Tarlaceno archer Bryan Amir Eugenio is off to secure a Palarong Pambansa gold medal for the third time in Davao City this April 27 to May 4.)
City of San Fernando, Pampanga—The 648-strong Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) Delegation is firming up its training and final preparations for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa on April 27 to May 4, 2019 in Davao City.
Athletes and coaches representing Central Luzon in the Palarong Pambansa have started their localized trainings on March 20 until April 27, 2019. The trainings aim to enhance the athletes’ performance ad develop physical and psychological condition, promote camaraderie and teamwork among the selected athletes, and inculcate the values and discipline to athletes and coaches.
“The Division Sports Coordinator (DSO) shall manage and monitor the training in his/her respective Schools Division and ensure that discipline is emphasized in as much as it is inherent in sports,” said Sammy Sampang, Chief of the Education Support Services Division of the DepEd Regional Office III.
Coaches are advised to prepare a training program which will suit the training needs of the athletes and focus on strength, endurance, speed, agility, technique, and skills development. Likewise, team building activities and spiritual enhancement sessions are also part of the whole training program.
Keeping athletes safe and healthy
To ensure the safety and health of athletes and coaches during the localized trainings, the Department of Education Regional Office III reiterates the adherence of key officials, coaches, and chaperons to the DepEd Child Protection Policy, the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, and the Policy and Guidelines on Comprehensive Tobacco Control.
“Coaches, key officials, and others concerned will be held responsible for the protection, welfare, and safety of the student athletes,” said OIC-Regional Director Nicolas Capulong.
School divisions where the trainings are held are also advised to implement the 4S strategy of the Department of Health against dengue to safeguard the health of the athletes in their respective billeting quarters.
Top student athletes to watch out for
The CL Archery Team proves to be a formidable contender in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa as top-caliber archers Bryan Amir Stevenson Eugenio and Maria Karylle Pangilinan are keen on winning another round of championship this year.
Both with excellent records, Bryan and Karylle earned their own marks in the Palarong Pambansa having won gold medals in the recent national athletic meets.
The 15-year old Grade 7 student of the Tarlac National high School, Bryan is continuing his father Demson’s Palaro dream. The older Eugenio, who now coaches the Archery Secondary Boys Team, says his son started playing archery at the age of 10.
“Bryan is following my footsteps and has fulfilled my dream of joining the Palrong Pambansa. He won gold medals in the last two Palaro meets and has also represented the country in the International Youth Archery Tournament held in Korea,” exclaims Demson Eugenio.
On the other hand, Karylle, who is an incoming Grade 12 student of the Pampanga State Agricultural University, is determined to snatch more gold medals in addition to her 2018 Palarong Pambansa championship success.
Starting off at the meager age of six, the charming Karylle looks up to her elder sister as her inspiration in playing archery. A consistent CLRAA champion, she is now eyeing a spot to represent the country in the upcoming 2019 Southeast Asian Games to be held in Clark, Pampanga.
“It is a great honor po to represent Region III and Pampanga kasi hindi naman po lahat nakakarating sa ganito, so of course, gagawin kopo lagi best ko para maitaas po yung Region III and Pampanga,” Karylle explains.•
