PRESIDENT Miriam E. Pascua has approved the holding of the University Palaro on Nov. 20 at the University Sports Complex, Batac.

The activity which will run until Nov. 24 will be devoted to sports and athletic competitions, cultural stints, exhibition games, “hataw” sessions, recreational pursuits, and the dual meet of UHS Laoag and Batac.

The annual holding of the sports activity is in consonance with the principle that secondary and tertiary education sports program should serve as a vehicle for the inculcation of positive Filipino and universal human values.

According to Physical Education and Sports Development Director Arsenio T. Gallego, the 2006 University Palaro aims to provide opportunities for MMSU officials to conceptualize, develop, organize, and implement a sports program that will complement other components of the curriculum aimed at developing higher level of skill, understanding, appreciation and knowledge, and positive attitudes and values designed to develop the full potential of tertiary level students. It also aims  to serve as avenue for tertiary level sports coaches to identify, discover, recruit, and train athletes based on scientific coaching principles and practices as well as provide them professional growth and self-realization while engaged in the education of athletically talented college youth.

The activity further intends to serve as practical and laboratory experience for secondary and tertiary level school personnel to acquire and develop competencies which would enable them to manage and officiate athletic games.  Gallego said that this will also provide chances for sports participation of secondary and tertiary level students of varying skills and talents “so that in the process of active participation, the cream of the crop will rise and become the carriers of MMSU colors in higher athletic competitions”.

Ultimately, the activity, Gallego said, will foster sportsmanship, camaraderie, fair play, peace, and respect for others “to help build character and consequently people who will hold higher and higher the ‘green and gold’ and finally achieve a hall of fame in the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association-I Meet”.

The PESDO Director has requested President Pascua that all students, faculty, and staff be excused from their classes and offices during the week-long activity so that they can witness the actual games and cultural events.  And he got the nod of the president.