THE ANNUAL University Games opened this morning with simple and meaningful rites held at the MMSU Sports Complex.  

The first day of the four-day event began with the Great Filipino Workout, a parade which highlighted a tradition of healthy and active lifestyle. University faculty, staff, and students from all colleges and levels sweat it out as they walked from the twin gate to the University Oval where the opening program was held.

Traditional rituals and fanfare took place under sunny weather conditions. Research and Extension Vice President Epifania O. Agustin led the hoisting of banners, together with college deans, muses, and escorts. The athletic urn was lit by Dr. Heraldo Layaoen, vice president for planning, development, and external linkages.

Discus thrower Fatima A. Mitra, Region I’s only gold medalist in the 2011 National SCUAA Olympics, led the athletes’ oath of excellence while Academic Affairs Vice President Wilma C. Natividad administered the officiators’ pledge.

PESSDO Director Arsenio T. Gallego explains that the Unigames 2011 theme, “Lucky 9: MMSU’s Jackpot in Sports and Cultural Greatness,” highlights the university’s aim at a ninth consecutive championship in the SCUAA-I Regional Meet which will be held Dec. 4-9 this year at the Pangasinan State University. Meanwhile, the 2012 SCUAA National Olympics and PASUC Cultural Festival will be hosted by the West Visayas State University in Iloilo, Feb. 19-23.

Declaring the start of the Unigames, President Miriam E. Pascua challenged the athletes to espouse the values of sportsmanship, hard work, diligence, perseverance, and self-discipline. Quoting the book of Psalms 20:7, she enjoined everyone to “put your trust in the Lord Almighty as you endeavor to always keep the MMSU banner flying high and as you constantly aim for sports and cultural excellence.”

The opening salvo was capped by the students’ flash mob and employees’ cha-cha slide performed by the different colleges and units of the university. The cha-cha slide competition was won by the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology, with the Integrated Laboratory Schools and the College of Business, Economics and Accountancy ranking first and second runners up, respectively.

Sports events to be contested today until Nov. 11 are: athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, chess, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, soccer, softbal, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, and volleyball. For the cultural festival, students will test their mettle in the quiz bowl and in literary, musical and visual arts events. The Mr. and Ms. MMSU pageant will take place on Friday, Nov. 11.