By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr.

With imposing energy and strength, athletes and artists of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) have joined the largest inter-regional sports and fitness event among state universities and colleges (SUCs) in northern Luzon this year. 

150-strong Stallion battalion joined the 9th Association of State Colleges and Universities - Solid North (ASCU-SN) Summer Olympics. 

They are among the 3,300 delegates from 23 SUCs in Regions I, II, III, and Cordillera Administrative Region who will engage in friendly sports competitions, indigenous games, and cultural contests until Saturday, July 20-23, at the Benguet State University (BSU) in La Trinidad, Benguet. 

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, who also currently serves as the ASCU-SN president, expressed delight on the reopening of the Olympics after a two-year halt due to restricted gatherings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“It is heartwarming to see that we gather the biggest delegation ever in the history of ASCU-SN. Indeed, we have come back stronger, more resilient, and more ready to conquer challenges of the new normal,” PSCA expressed. 

BSU President Felipe S. Comila thanked the ASCU-SN for the trust it has given to BSU in hosting the annual event for the third time, hoping this year’s event will further foster solidarity and good will among the participating SUCs.

Apart from MMSU and BSU, other delegates for the week-long event come from Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology, Apayao State College, Batanes State College, Bulacan State University, Cagayan State University, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Ifugao State University, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, Isabela State University, Kalinga State University, Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, North Luzon Philippines State College, Nueva Vizcaya State University, Pampanga State Agricultural University, Pangasinan State University, Quirino State University, Tarlac Agricultural University, Tarlac State University, and University of Northern Philippines. 

MMSU hosted the Olympics held in pre-pandemic 2019, which provided a platform for discussions on educational policy reforms and development initiatives. 

ASCU-SN is a network of 23 SUCs in northern Luzon, which are engaged in academic, research, and other activities for the benefit of its members. (JVBT/DPTJ, StratCom)