By: Alvin C. Laserna Jr.
BAGUIO CITY—The annual Casiciaco Recoletos Seminary Intramurals has formally been opened last September 29, 2022 at the Recoletos Gym.
This year’s theme is “Praying and Playing Together Towards Solidarity” inspired by the current focus of the Church in Synodality and the Order of Augustinian Recollect’s motto of the year, “Together”.
From the theme came forth the names of the five Intramural’s teams: Recoletos de Tambo, Recoletos de Hinatuan, Recoletos de Plaridel, Recoletos de Apo, and Recoletos de Casian. Those are the names of the places where Recollect missions are in the Philippines.
As part of the opening ceremony, the seminarians gathered in their teams and had a parade while yelling their respective cheers around the seminary premises.
(from lower left to lower right) Recoletos de Apo, and Recoletos de Tambo.
Timely Enflaming of the Cauldron
After the parade, the teams proceeded in the Recoletos Gym for the continuation of the opening ceremony.
There was a torch relay done by the team captains of the respective teams and Bro. Bonnie de Guzman, the reigning Mr. Intrams. However, to the dismay of everyone, the intramurals cauldron was not easily enflamed.
Rev. Fr. Lauro V. Larlar, OAR, the seminary rector, then, continued in his opening remarks despite the flop.
The sports committee members, led by Bro. Danielle V. Nadal, meanwhile, did all their efforts to resolve the dilemma; and upon Fr. Larlar’s declaration that the Sportsfest is formally opened, the Intramurals cauldron was timely lit.
Bro. John Marco B. Daniel, a fourth-year college seminarian, when asked about his thoughts on the incident, reflected, “It is just like our vocation, sometimes, the fire will just really enflame upon the time that we will open our hearts to formation.”
Cheerdance Competition
One of the annual events during the opening of the Intramurals is the cheerdance competition of the various teams.
According to Bro. Jewien O. Dotarot, a first-year irregular college seminarian, “Casiciaco’s Cheerdance is not a typical cheerdance that I see in the televisions.”
Bro. Dotarot added, “We may not have prepared that much but our cheerdance competition is unique, creative, and, at the same time, enjoying.”
Futsal Championship: Sophomores vs. Seniors
Another highlight of the Intramurals’ opening ceremony is the Futsal Championship game between the Sophomores, the Batch Radiants, and the Seniors, the Batch Seraphs.
Prior to the game, the members of each batch had an exchange of gifts which marked a spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie with each other.
In the Newbie Category, the Batch Seraphs won with the score of 3-1.
Meanwhile, in the Senior Category, Seraphs also dominated the Sophomores with the score of 4-1.
After the game, the batch members shook each other’s hands and congratulated everyone despite the intense match.
There were also some games in between the matches which had their corresponding rewards.
Bro. Jhon Russel B. Manalastas won ₱500.00 by putting a ball in a goal while being blindfolded.
Another halftime game was the halfcourt shot challenge. No one was quite lucky to bag the prize.
Last Thursday’s opening ceremonies marked the start of the almost three-month Intramurals of the seminary.
The results of the various competitions will be announced during the culmination of the Intramurals slated on December 5, 2022.
