April 25, 2011 - "It is better late than never". That cliche must be on the back of the minds of the people behind Summerkadahan 2011. Now on its 9th Year, Summerkadahan is no longer a Congressional Tournament due to the changes and limitations on the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) of the House Representatives. Click this to know more. For the past eight years, Summerkadahan is one of the programs that is funded by the Congressional Office of 1st District of South Cotabato, with the help of the dynamic City Mayor of General Santos City who initiated Summerkadahan nine years ago, the Youth Summer extravaganza pushed thru with the City Mayor's Office and Sangguniang Kabataan as its funding agency.
The Opening jumped started with a parade. The Summerkadahan Players clad in their basketball jersey went around the downtown area, minding not the scorching heat of the sun. They proceeded to the Carlos P. Garcia Covered Court for the Opening Program.
Still parading, each Team or Barangay was introduced either together with the SK Chairperson or the Punong Barangay as they enter the venue.
Parade of Teams
Present were the Honorable Congressman Pedro B. Acharon Jr and Honorable City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio who both gave their inspirational messages. The Honorable Representative of the 1st District of South Cotabato on his message gave a hint that Summerkadahan will continue till the years to come with the financial support from the Congressional's Office basing on the recent development on the PDAF. Meanwhile, Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio is delighted to see that all 26 Barangays of General Santos joined this years' program, making Summerkadahan 2011 with the most number of participants since it started. Both expressed their prayer of developing camaraderie among the youth and the Barangays through sports.
Other local officials present were, City Councilors: Meg Santos, Nepthalie Natividad, Beth Bagonoc, Vic Dante, Association of Barangay Captains President Lourdes Casabuena and other Punong Barangays.
Most Participated Year for Summerkadahan History
Aside from the Summerkadahan Players, it was also a day for the Sangguniang Kabataan Officials of General Santos City for it is the very first big activity that they managed.The Sangguniang Kabataan serves as the managers for each participating team and their roles includes providing uniforms, food, transportation and other support to their team.
Headed by their SK Federation President Mac Alejandre Tablazon, the Sangguniang Kabataan headed the Opening Program which also includes the traditional Ceremonial Toss for each event. After the ceremony, a 3 Point Shoot-Out Contest took place with one representative from each participating Barangays wherein Raphael Lape of Barangay Buayan won.
Another addition to the Opening Salvo was the SK's version of ShowTime. Barangay Fatima's representative went home as Champions while Barangay Apopong and Barangay Bula bagged the 1st and 2nd Place respectively. Click this for a detailed Post on the SK: Showtime.
Moreover, the Summerkadahan Games are being played at these venues, Carlos P. Garcia Covered Court (Basketball & Volleyball), Covered Courts of Barangay Ligaya and Barangay Tambler(Basketball) and Notre Dame of Dadiangas University Open Field (Baseball/Football).
Please come back for the schedule and updates of Games.
