Athletes from Malaybalay City Division joined and made remarkable records in the field of sports as they bring the bacon home – CHAMPION with 15 GOLDS in Special Events Category, 6 GOLDS in Elementary Category and 4 GOLDS in Secondary Category placed our division as rank 8 among 14 delegates during the 2014 Palarong Pampook hosted by Misamis Oriental Division on December 15-19, 2014.

The five-day Palarong Pampook started with billeting of quarters, for Malaybalay City Division at Villanueva National High School and Looc Elementary School Villanueva, Misamis Oriental for division delegates with events to be played at East bound and at Barra Elementary School, Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental for events to be played at West bound. The division delegates agreed to start the entire activities with a Holy Mass at Villanueva National High School with Rev. Father Ricolito as the celebrant.

The competition commenced on December 15, 2014 after the colorful parade and opening program at Jasaan, Misamis Oriental where the attendance of  Hon. Isko Moreno graced the occasion along with the Local Government Unit Officials, DepEd Key Officials and other stakeholders.

415 athletes, 70 coaches, 12 chaperons and 25 key officials equipped the team ready for the competition with delegates from 13 other divisions in Northern Mindanao for this annual sports competitions in 24 events for Elementary, 28 events for Secondary and for special events.

The spirit of sportsmanship and vigor in making it to the top among athletes continued until the last day on December 19, 2014. The awarding took place at Tagoloan Municipal Covered Court, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental with the following awards garnered 10 GOLD Medals, 18 Silver Medals and 20 Bronze Medals .

The Malaybalay City Division produced eleven regular athletes and eleven special events athletes to represent on the 2015 Palarong Pambansa on May 3-9, 2015 at Tagum, Davao City.

By: Rachel R. Valde