The BiPSU went big in the preparations for the opening of the SCUAA games. Aerial demonstrations from the PNP skydiving unit, ground demonstrations, doves released to formally open the games and amazing fireworks show that went on for minutes. That one event alone really speaks of how much they prepared for the opening - but with big events, issues are bound to arise.
Looking beyond the spectacle of skydivers and dancers, you will see the uncomfortable looks of of the delegates and officials as they waited for the parade to start. The delegates assembled at the oval around half past one in the afternoon where the sun was at peak. As the different SUCs waited for the aerial demonstration to commence the parade, the different SUCs worked to stay in their cramped up designated space. The given space of the SUCs was reasonably limited as most of the space was reserved for the end execution of the aerial demonstration. There was also the delay of the second batch of skydivers which added to the waiting time of the delegate.
By the time the parade commenced, some of the delegates simply could not wait for the parade to be over. Though the preparation for the parade was exemplary as medic teams can be seen in sidewalks and corners all throughout town, military and police force were also scattered throughout the route of the parade to ensure order and peace. After the long and tiring procession, the SUCs proceeded to the oval for the program proper. Upon arriving, the delegates are greeted with a ground demonstration as they filed into the oval. Despite the festive atmosphere brought by the dancers, the tiredness of the wait in the sun and the parade is visible as some of the delegates seated themselves wherever space was available to get their tired feet rested.
The distance of town parades has been a matter of concern in the SCUAA games. Athletes need to be at their best the following day for their events and to do that, they would need all the rest and training they can get. The weather during the opening was very humid and sometime during the parade, there was as slight drizzle of rain. The intensity of the weather could cause the athletes to get sick. There’s nothing wrong with a great entertainment but not at the expense of the athletes’ condition. The concerns raised in every SCUAA is not a matter of critique. Rather it’s a matter of nitpicking concerns such as delays and distance of parades so that in the next SCUAA games improvements could be made.
Despite these issues the opening was nothing short of spectacular with all the preparations. As President Edgardo E. Tulin, the PASUC Vice President for the Visayas formally opened the SCUAA games, doves were let loose creating a wonderful picture of the birds released plus the big and explosive fireworks display after the lighting of the solidarity torch. After the long day, all the athletes went to their quarters beaming a smile on their faces despite the delay in the parade. Truly BiPSU as the host school for this years’ SCUAA games really went big. They started with a skydive and ended the program with an ostentatious display of fireworks.