By Alice B Artazo

Through the project dubbed as “Hali Na, Laro Tayo,” the Xavier University Physical Education department conducted a five-day sports and dance clinic and distributed educational materials and sporting gears to the children of Barangay Bugo.

The outreach program held earlier this year drew together more than 200 kids, aged 5 to 13 years old.

Now on its third year, “Hali Na, Laro Tayo” aims to strengthen the holistic formation of the youth through sports development and inspire them to continue their education.

Seven PE faculty members frontlined the 5-day clinic: Jessica Esparrago on karatedo, Zofea Briosos on badminton for beginners level, Edilberto Peroso with Jade Jomuad on badminton for advanced level, Julie Castillon with Jacob Anino on volleyball, and Alice Artazo on dance.

The XU Karatedo Organization (XUKO) and XU Cultural Dance Troupe (XUCDT) scholars also took part in coaching the participants.

Having learned the basic skills for the sport they have chosen, the participants competed in a mini sport fest and recital after the clinic.

After the culminating activity, school supplies were distributed while good quality second hand sports gears were turned over to Marciano Macanip Jr, in-charge of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC).

Among the attendance were the barangay chairman Jesus S Morial Jr, barangay kagawad for youth and sports development Ponciano J Dawal and barangay administrative officer Marie Anne Gironella.

The department is looking forward to the program’s fourth year with higher turnout of participants and more donations (sports equipment and schools supplies) from the XU community and generous establishments.