“Nakikita ko na kailangang ibangon natin ang espiritu ng mga Pilipino ang nasyonalismo, ang pagmamahal sa bayan. Dapat maghanap tayo ng ating ikararangal . Nakita naman natin, iba ang nararamdaman natin pag nakikita nating nanalo si Manny Pacquiao halimbawa, nagkakaroon bigla ng pagmamalaki ang mga Pilipino, bata man, matanda, babae o lalaki,” he said.

     The senator also encouraged the athletes to continue getting involved in sports even after they finish school and start working.

     “Mahalagang meron din kayong sports kasama ng iyong pagtatrabaho. Para laging masigla ang iyong pamumuhay habang kayo’y tumatanda. Napakahirap pagka matagal ka nang wala sa eskwelahan na ikaw ay hindi na naglalaro, nababawasan ang kalidad ng iyong pamumuhay. Kaya kayong mga atleta dalhin niyo yan hanggang kayo’y makatapos, dalhin niyo yan hanggang sa kayo’y magtrabaho, dalhin niyo yan hanggang sa kayo’y maging manager. Yang paglalaro ay isang bagay na hindi niyo dapat kalimutan maski umabot na kayo sa singkwenta o sitenta anyos, ” he added.

     The opening program was attended by the presidents of the participating SUCs and their staffs, Benguet Governor, Hon. Nestor Fongwan; Atty. Miller Quintin, representing La Trinidad Mayor, Hon. Artemio Galwan; and Mrs. Olga Dangwa, representing her better half, Benguet Congressman, Hon. Samuel Dangwa.

     The Olympics also served as a venue for North Luzon SUC presidents and the press to come together and discuss issues concerning SUCs such as budget reductions and autonomy.

     ASCU-SN President, Dr. Lauro Tacbas said that the purpose of the Olympics is to develop solidarity among SUCs in North Luzon. He also cleared the ground where SUCs and CHED should play their own roles for the common good of the clientele they serve.

     Dr. Marilou S. Gilo-Abon, president of Nueva Vizcaya State University admitted that budget reductions among SUCs is a big challenge to her. With this, Dr. Rogelio D. Colting of the Benguet State University added that despite of that RA 8292 gives full authority to the Board of Regents to engage in Income Generating Projects and the income generated will be retained by the school. Whereas, before RA 8292, income of SUCs generated by their IGPs are returned to the National Budget. This way, SUCs will have a chance to commercialize technologies they have developed.

     The SUC heads also explained that there are other ways for their schools to acquire funds such as submitting very good proposals to funding agencies.

     On the other hand, Dr. Eduardo T. Bagtang of Kalinga-Apayao State College banked his hope on autonomy because if CAR will become an autonomous region, SUCs will have the freedom to allocate their resources.