RCMS Holds Colorful D3830 Youth Olympics 2009
March 12, 2009, Makati City
By IPP Louie Vega, District Chair for Youth Olympics and Youth Service Director JP Cabalza
RC Makati South

Now on its 10th year, the Youth Olympics was established to become a venue for fun, fellowship and friendly competition for the district’s Rotaract and Interact club members.  Competition events included 50/100/200 meter dash, relay races, long jump, shot put, and fun games including sack race, 3-legged race and tug-of-war.  One highlight of the event was the Ms. Youth Olympics contest among the teams' muses.  Attractive prizes, consisting of individual medals and cash were at stake, culminating with the Governor’s Champion Trophy for the overall team winner and the Athlete of the Day award.  More than 225 medals were awarded.  The alert PATAFA officials were, again, much obliged in officiating of the games resulting in the highly orderly flow of the competitions.

The Youth Olympics was formally opened by DG Boyet Limon with the symbolic torch run and lighting of the "Olympic" flame amidst the crowd's loud roars and cheers and letting go of gold, blue and red balloons that also signaled the official start of the competition.  The teams, escorted by their sponsoring Rotary clubs, marched around the oval for the very colorful opening parade, made even more festive by the lively music and fantastic showmanship of the Makati Blue Angels brass band and majorettes.  The morning was a very lively day, full of fun, jubilation and anxiety, considering that all participants were determined to bring glory to their clubs and their Rotary sponsors.

The Interact team of RC Las Piñas North (NCST/UPHS) emerged as the Governor’s Champion for garnering the most number of gold medals and taking home with them P10,000 cash prize plus a huge 36-inch trophy.  AMA Computer College Makati team of RC Makati South was second place while Team Virlanie Foundation, Inc. of RC Makati Urdaneta placed third.  RC Las Piñas North Rotaractor John Kenneth Umali won the Athlete of the Day award and RC Makati Salcedo's Rotaractor Gwendolin Roais of Team Southville Foreign University was crowned Ms. Youth Olympics.

The 2009 Youth Olympics marked a record attendance, not only by the participating youth clubs, but also by D3830 Rotarians.  More than 100 Rotarians, district officers, spouses, guests, secretariat personnel and coaches attended.  Host club RC Makati South, led by RGP Pocholo Chunsim, came in full force and well prepared to ensure the orderly and successful conduct of the event.  Visible was the presence of a medical crew, led by Dr. Boy David, who was made busy due to minor injuries sustained by young athletes during the fierce competitions.

The event's outcome was more than the expectations of host club RC Makati South, who envisioned a day of fun, friendship and friendly competition.  It clearly manifested how a united Rotary spirit, supported by a well-focused governor, can make what seemed to be an ordinary project, into a gratifying and very fulfilling endeavor to be service above self.  The 2009 Youth Olympics showed once more Rotary’s commitment in supporting youth development by providing them a venue to express their potential capacity for strength, creativity, sportsmanship and team spirit.

The event was ended around 2:00 PM after the awarding of medals, prizes and trophies.