“Sports is an avenue to build bridges, foster unity, strengthen camaraderie, and establish communities.”

Believing in the formative value of sports as an avenue for character formation, Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) officially opened DACS College Sports Fest 2018 yesterday in San Pedro College Gym-Basic Education Department, Ulas Campus, Davao City.

With the theme “Champions for Christ, A Call to Service and Holiness,” athletes from catholic colleges across the region took part in opening program before competing once again for their school’s pride and God’s glory.

“May our sports fest, DACS 2018, be an opportunity for us to celebrate our giftedness and share them to others through service and holiness,” DACS Pres. Rev. Fr. Tomas Avila, Jr. said.

He also emphasized that the real challenge for the competitors of DACS is to “adhere what is fair, what is honest, and true so that the activity can be an avenue” to embody Christian ideals.

Welcoming the delegates from the participating schools as the host for this year’s DACS sports fest, SPC Dean of Arts and Sciences Dept. Adelle Sumalpong LPT, MATRE stressed the goal of DACS, quoting the association’s support manual.

“According to DACS sports manual 2018, the sports program is provided as an essential component in the integral formation – the formation of mature, competent, productive, and morally responsible citizens is the ultimate purpose of the education,” she said.

She also added that sports reinforce education to the youth “by training them strength of character and by inculcating in them the passion for excellence.”

On the other hand, Gino Angelo Asuncion, the team captain of SPC, led the oath of sportsmanship while SPC Saligan Supreme Student Council representatives lighted the urn symbolizing the beginning of the “festival of talent and sportsmanship in light of Christ.”

Moreover, school heads and representatives toasted to “the success of DACS 2018” as a symbol of solidarity and collaboration.

DACS Exec. Dir. Jimmie Loe-Dela Vega spearheaded the banging of the gong in declaration of the opening of DACS College Sports Fest 2018.

Song numbers from HCCC’s Tres Partidas and SPC Chorale were also performed in the event.

DACS College Sports Fest is one of the manifestations of the “integral and holistic” education DACS aims for all the students of Catholic schools to experience and attain.

Participating schools include Assumption College of Davao, Assumption College of Nabunturan, Ateneo de Davao University, Cor Jesu College, Gabriel Taborin College of Davao, Inc., Holy Cross College of Calinan, Holy Cross College of Sasa, Holy Cross of Davao College, Philippine Women’s College of Davao, St. John Paul II College of Davao, St. Mary’s College of Bansalan, St. Mary’s College of Tagum, San Pedro College, and St. Peter’s College of Toril.