Philippine Embassy Clinches the 2008 ASEAN Missions"
23 November 2008
The Embassy of the Philippines in Riyadh has double reasons to celebrate. It successfully hosted the 2008 ASEAN Missions’ Volleyball Tournament and the Philippine team bagged the game’s Championship trophy.
The tournament was held last Thursday, 20 November 2008 at the Liwasang Bonifacio Multi-purpose court of the Embassy. It is the culminating sports activity among the many competitions organized yearly by the members of the ASEAN Riyadh Sports and Social Committee (ARSSC), representing ASEAN missions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, namely, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The volleyball tournament commenced promptly at 9:00 am after a brief program and photo session of the ASEAN diplomatic corps and their respective families, players and supporters. The Philippine Embassy team battled first with the Royal Thai Embassy team and the coalition team of Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam (MSV) in the elimination round before clashing in the finals with the Indonesian team, which took home the 1st runner-up trophy. The Embassy of Brunei Darussalam failed to defend its championship title but managed to secure the second runner-up position after beating the Malaysian Embassy team in the first round and the Thai Embassy in the finals.
The officiating and orderly conduct of the games were handled professionally and efficiently by Teachers Tommy V. Ambagan, Belen L. Cleto, Rosario E. Makalintal and Edwardo T. Teja from the International Philippine School in Riyadh. At the sidelines, the presence of the medical team headed by Dra. Sheila N. Que, together with Nurses Elisa T. Serrano and Edna Notario-Torricampo, gave the players the sense of safety and protection.
The success of the Philippine Embassy team was attributed to the collective effort of its energetic players composed of Attaches Delza Lourdes V, Deriada, Dennis B. Gomez, Uldarico C. Malicse, Jr., Dennis H. Punzalan, Ms. Nanette Adiaton and Messrs Acas M. Bayabao, Jr., Roger J. Bunao, Dimaporo D, Mustary, Noel C. Nieva and Christian V. San Diego. They fought with high morale inspired by the support they received from the Embassy family and the financial assistance from Al FIFA Embassy Service that co-sponsored their colorful uniforms.
The Philippine hospitality once again thrived during the affair. Guests were entertained not only by the fun and excitement brought by the games but was also indulged with samplings of Filipino cuisine. The ever dependable Philippine Embassy ladies and wives of Embassy & Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) personnel cooked and served them with Filipino styled arrozcaldo (congee) coupled with fried tofu (soy) and banana cake during the breakfast. Native dishes that suit the palate of the ASEAN families like caldereta, mixed vegetables with coconut milk, buko pandan, kutsina, among others were catered at lunch time, courtesy of PINOY Supermarket. After the closing ceremony, everyone was treated with simple afternoon snacks of pansit (noodles) and puto (rice cake) provided gratuitously by R & R Catering Service. In addition, the participants were supplied with free refreshing drinks the whole day donated by the PEPSI Bottling Company.
Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor thanked during his opening and closing remarks the Heads of Mission and the members of their staff and families for gracing the event, the generosity of the sponsors and the hardworking Embassy and POLO personnel. He also congratulated the winners of the competition and everyone for boosting up once again the true ASEAN spirit and camaraderie. The ASEAN Missions responded by conveying their praises and good wishes to Ambassador Villamor.
The aforementioned event was supervised by the Cultural Section of the Embassy. pls see photo
