Living in a dormitory inside the university has its perks. Not only is it conveniently located near your department or classroom, but it also offers a plethora of diverse activities for its occupants. From fun talent showdowns and brain-teasing quiz shows to exciting open houses and informative seminars, there's never a dull moment when you’re an occupant of any of the 17 dormitories and 9 cottages within the university. These events contribute greatly to the overall well-being of the dormitory occupants, benefiting them physically, mentally, and socially. One example of such a recently successful event was the University Inter-Dormitory Student Body (UISB) Sportsfest 2023.
The UISB Sportsfest is an annual event where dormitory occupants on campus get to show off their sports skills, musical talents, academic prowess, and artistic abilities. It's like a second intramural for them. After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event finally made its long-awaited comeback. Interestingly, when the news broke about the postponement of classes in March 2020, dormitory occupants were already in full swing preparing and practicing for the sportsfest, which was scheduled for the following month.
"At first, I was happy with the postponement back then because it meant less training and practice every day. However, as I realized we wouldn't be able to gather for sports, I felt a sense of sadness. I knew I would miss the excitement of the games and the thrill of discovering who would be the ultimate champion of the event," admitted King Arbie Pallomina, a resident of Mahogany dormitory.
This year, with the theme "Defying Conventions and Embracing Differences Through Academics and Sports", dormitory residents were finally able to fully immerse themselves and experience the joy of this event, engaging in friendly competitions that showcased their physical, mental, and artistic abilities. The sports festival consisted of three groups: KASAMMA, comprising Kanlaon, Sampaguita, and Mahogany dormitories; COFILANG, including the dormitories situated on Cocofed Drive—Molave, Mabolo, Mariposa, and Mulberry– as well as Ilang-Ilang; and the United Lower Campus (ULC), where all dormitories and cottages in the lower campus collaborated as a team. Initially planned for mid-April, the sports festival had to be rescheduled due to conflicts with the midterm exams and the 99th VSU anniversary. The event was eventually moved to the middle of May.
"I'm excited to meet new people and interact with other dormitory occupants. This event is going to be amazing because it's the first time we're having it after the pandemic," shared Angel Mae Etulle, a resident of Mariposa dormitory, when asked about her expectations for this year's UISB sportsfest.
The week-long event kicked off with various board games such as Chess, DAMA, Scrabble, and Word Factory, as well as e-sports like Mobile Legends Bang Bang and Call of Duty Mobile. These games were organized in different areas on the upper campus. However, the physical sports originally planned for the second day had to be moved to the fourth day due to some athletes failing to submit their medical certificates on time. On the third day, the opening campus parade took place, where all dorm occupants gathered, proudly donning their colorful dormitory shirts. Following the parade, the raising of the flags of each team was held and the annual quiz show commenced, with selected participants from each dormitory competing to determine which team is the brightest of them all.
The second round of physical sports, however, faced yet another setback on its schedule when it was announced that all university-related activities were canceled due to the impending super typhoon Mawar. Consequently, what was meant to be a one-week activity extended to two weeks. The song and dance fest had to be divided into two days, the Mural Painting and Laro ng Lahi were rescheduled once again, and the awarding and closing ceremony was decided to take place on the first day of June. Despite the challenges encountered, the event ultimately proved to be a resounding success.
Hannaj Villafuerte, the UISB President and a resident of Cattleya dormitory, shared that the planning of the event was very challenging for everyone in the council.
"It was the first time any of us had tried to do. However, with countless meetings and with the help of our council advisers and Sir Raymund Igcasama--the Adviser of Mahogany Men's Hall (who also has had a lot of UISB Sports Fest experience) we were able to figure out which parts to plan out and organize first. Knowing that this would be the first big event for the inter-dormitory student body also came with a lot of pressure. A few weeks leading up to the event we had to start meeting everyday which would usually end late, despite having to attend classes the following day. There were numerous challenges we had to face, it took a lot of patience, compromise, and consultation with the council and the faction GAMs. The council wanted the event to be enjoyable for all participants which we hope we were able to achieve," she said.
In terms of competition results, the COFILANG team secured third place with a collection of 12 golds, 34 silvers, and 58 bronze medals. The second-place honor went to the United Lower Campus (ULC), also with a strong showing of 35 golds, 47 silvers, and 22 bronzes. The KASAMMA team emerged as the overall champion, clinching an impressive 58 golds, 23 silvers, and 24 bronze medals. This marked their fourth consecutive win since 2017.
Joel Casimero, a resident of Mahogany dormitory and the KASAMMA president, expressed his delight in bringing together residents from Kanlaon, Sampaguita, and Mahogany, leading them to a well-deserved four-peat victory.
"To defend after a three-peat triumph is definitely difficult. Every team was hungry for victory since they understood that the pandemic was going to make the event more difficult. But for KASAMMA, this served as both a challenge and a spur to excel in every competition and retain the title. It can be difficult to balance academics and UISB events with nocturnal workouts and training. Providing them with inspiration and motivation helps each athlete and performer get fired up for each event. Additionally, winning multiple times in a row creates a sense of responsibility to maintain the winning streak, as expectations and pressure from both within and outside the organization may increase. Achieving the overall championship at UISB for the fourth consecutive time is a remarkable and fulfilling experience, signifying the collective efforts and achievements of the KASAMMA community," he shared enthusiastically.
As the curtains close on this year's UISB Sportsfest, it's evident that the event brought a renewed sense of energy, camaraderie, and excitement to the dormitory occupants of VSU. It fostered new friendships and strengthened the spirit of the university's inter-dormitory community. Despite the challenges faced, the resilience and dedication of the participants and organizers shone through, resulting in a successful celebration of sports, talent, and unity. One thing remains clear: dormitory life at VSU is truly a delightful and vibrant experience.