Once again, TPS conducted Intramural Meet to establish a venue for  exercising the students acquired knowledge, skills and attitude in Physical  Education. This also gave them the opportunity to enhance the values of  sportsmanship, good health, and a well rounded personality.

The sports activity started with a parade headed by the TPS Drum and Lyre  Corps. Students from the kindergarten level to grade 10 marched in their  colored uniforms, led by their respective muses and guided by their advisers.  The TPS Faculty Choir sang the national anthems of the UAE and the  Philippines. Mr. Mayani led the invocation.

After the introduction of the administrators, Ms. Jocelyn M. Sollano formally  opened the meet. In her speech she emphasized the relevance of the meet,  not only to physical education, but also to the development and practice of  values such as courage to accept defeat and gracious celebration of victory. She instructed the athletes, “Observe friendly games and do everything in the  spirit of sportsmanship.”

Afterwards. Rollyzon Assuncion, a selected athlete of the TPS Basketball  Team lighted the torch and Neil Ram Carlos of Grade 10 Rizal led the Oath of Sportsmanship. Mr. Jonathan Esguerra, Vice Principal inspired the group to perform with energy while maintaining camaraderie. Intermission numbers from DTAG and the Ritualo sisters added color to the opening ceremonies

Immediately after the formal opening, the search for Mr and Ms TPS Intramural Meet was conducted.

While the search was conducted at the covered court, the Kindergarten department were busy with their fun games that enhance social skills among the children. The activity at the KG Department was for the enhancement and continuation of the simple social life established by the family in the early years of the child through games.

By: Melvin Mendoza

Benjamin Victor Consing of Grade 8 who was in his wakeboarders attire and  Bettina Gayle Micu, Grade 9, in her archer‟s attire, bagged this year‟s Mr. and Ms. Intrams. Samantha Nicole Delgado of Grade 5 and Jino Reids Calma  bested the other candidates in the Intermediate Level. Zyrene Isabelle  Montilla of Grade 3 and Raven David Gonzales of Grade 2 brought home the  bacon in the Primary Level.

The objectives of the search were met to encourage not only academic  excellence but also the development of personality, confidence and discipline  through sports.

The committee was headed by Mrs. Irma Magno. Leading the board of judges  was the school’s physician, Dr. Sarate. The Candidates were judged according  to personality, beauty, bearing, body symmetry and uniqueness of sports  attire.

by: Yloiv

Kyle Dolor and Anfernee Maghirang bagged 3rd place and 6th place  respectively in the KSC Junior Chess Tournament held on August 27, 2011 in  Karama, Dubai.

Dolor, a grade 9 student and Maghirang, a grade 7 student were both trained by  their mentor, Mr. Edwin F. Caliyon, a grade four teacher and TPS Chess Club  Moderator. The tournament was made possible under the auspices of the Dubai Expats Chess Club, an organization of chess enthusiasts. The event was opened  for elementary and high school students from different schools here in UAE in  order to discover chess prodigies.

Grade 6 and Grade 10 were declared champions in the Elementary and High  School Category, respectively in the 2011 Intramurals held on December  11-16 at the Philippine School.

Students competed by year level in seven different sports events in the  recently concluded Intramurals namely: basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, long jump, chess and 100-m dash. Students from Grade 4, 5 and 6  competed in the elementary category while the Grade 7, 8, 9 and 10  students out did one another in the High School Category. There were also 2  divisions in the different sports events: male division and female division. During the awarding ceremony, the following winners were declared: For the  elementary category, Grade 6-champion; Grade 5-1st runner-up; Grade 4-2nd runner-up. For the high school category, Grade 10-champion; Grade 8-1st  runner-up; Grade 9-2nd runner-up.

It was such a tiring week but it is all worthwhile because of the camaraderie and spirit of sportsmanship that was gained by the students.

The athletes of The Philippine School brought home the bacon in several  events from the recently concluded Filipino Inter School Athletic Association (FISAA) 9th season.

The team of the elementary students emerged as champions in chess while the high school boys finished as 1st runner up. Our very own coach, Mr. Edwin Caliyon was also adjudged as Best Coach. The elementary female road runners were the 2nd runner up and so with the football and sepak takraw team. Both elementary boys and high school girls got the 1st runner up medals in long jump. In volleyball, the elementary boys‟ team got the 1st runner up trophy while the high school boys and elementary girls were both 2nd runners up. 2nd runners up trophies were also won by the elementary and high school boys.

There were six schools which participated this season: FEPS and NFPS from Sharjah, PISCO and TFCA from Abu Dhabi and UIPS from Dubai. This is the second time that TPS has joined the FISAA. Mr. Richard R. Zulueta, our Sports Coordinator is this year‟s Vice Chairman.

Both opening and closing ceremonies were held at Salah al Deen Sports Hall. TPS also became hosts to some events like volleyball, basketball, table tennis and chess.

By: Melvin Mendoza

Blue team from Grade 10 snapped the last win of the Basketball event downing their rival, the Green team during the elimination round. They took control of the game despite hardships to guard the opponents.

The Seniors played a fast game with Rubiano on the floor and Neil Carlos as student coach. They managed to score a lot of easy baskets and surprisingly Leyte added three points on the scoreboard.

Junior’s team also executed well. However, the refs were not pleased with the team so they dished out few technical fouls. The fouls from both teams slowed the game but selected players from Green team proved efficient with good points like Almannaei, Lagrito and Muñoz.

When the last 10 seconds was announced, there was no doubt that the Blue team would win the game.

Championship games were played at the covered court in the last day of intramurals.

By: Melvin Mendoza

Unshaken by the winter cold, John Carlo Castillo of Grade 10-Bonifacio outran all the others in the Athletics Event of this year‟s Intramurals with a time of 10.58 seconds. Alyssa Nicole Almayda of Grade 8-Osmeña set a record of 13.00 seconds in the girl’s category.

Meanwhile, Grade 5 dominated the elementary division in the person of Noel Gonzales of Hidalgo and Anthea Jane Dulfo of Francisco. They made it in 13.90 and 14.41 seconds respectively.

Coming in on second place were John Thomas Belano of Grade 7-Magsaysay and Irene Santos of Grade-8 Osmeña in the high school category and Ralph Romero of Grade 5-Hidalgo and Korien Joy Andog of Grade 5-Francisco in elementary category.

In charge of the athletics events was Mr. Jonathan Esguerra, the school Vice Principal. He was ably assisted by Mr. Paul Simeon Ombrosa, a TPS faculty member.

Edwin F. Caliyon

The Dilemma of Sports

I could still remember when I was still in high school, the Department of Education was still called MECS, which stands for Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports.

So sports program has been a part of education since then. As we know, sports teaches children the different values. Sports develops also children’s decision-making skills. But what’s really the big deal in sports?

Many of the high school students use their skills in sports as their gate pass to the bigger and well-known universities and colleges. Varsity scholarship is their ultimate goal. I could still remember one of my volleyball players who finished her course in Dela Salle Zobel School without paying even a single penny, and enjoyed free dormitory plus allowances.

But according to her, it was hard to play and study at the same time. A varsity player has to prioritize only one. Most of the varsity players finished their studies a longer time. They gave more time for games and practices. Well, it‟s mandatory for those who choose to be varsity players.

This is the dilemma of the elementary and high school athletes living below poverty line who are dreaming to be degree holders someday.

How would you choose classes over practices if you think you have no chance to pursue your college education and you believe sports is your only ace to fulfill your dreams? And how could you finish your elementary and high school education if you don’t attend classes or you devoted most of your time in practices and games?

Is it logical to say that “I have to prioritize sports over education because I want to finish college?”

Remember, our very own Manny Pacquiao knocked out poverty in his life through sports.