Holy Spirit, Feati share top win at Summerfest 2015

Holy Spirit, Feati share top win at Summerfest 2015

Photo by Rene Sevilla

An unprecedented first in Summerfest’s 14-year history!

College of the Holy Spirit and Feati University are co-champs in the just concluded picnic-cum-sports tournament sponsored by the Philippine Colleges and Universities Alumni Association (PCUAA), held at Mississauga Valley Park this past Sunday, July 5.

The all-day event gathered participants from PCUAA’s 17 member alumni associations, made up of former students and graduates from Adamson, Ateneo, CEU, CHS, CPU, Feati, FEU, La Salle, Mapua, PLM, PUP, San Beda, STC, UE, USCarlos, UP, and UST.

All these schools competed in the sports events, except for PUP, UE, and FEU, who were in charge of the children’s games.

Photo by Rene Sevilla

Other winners include UP (first runner up) and CEU (second runner up).  CPU, La Salle, Mapua, PLM, and USCarlos tied for third position–again another first in PCUAA Summerfest history.

Ed Panganiban (Mapua) and PCUAA Chairman, said “St. Theresa’s College of Quezon City is the newest member of PCUAA but did not yet participate in the events.  St. Paul College Manila (now St. Paul University) and Philippine Normal College (now Philippine Normal University) sent observers.”

“Alumni from Lyceum, PMI, and TIP were also present, but have not yet formally joined PCUAA,”  Panganiban added.

Summerfest was held first on July 14, 2002 by the five founding alumni associations (Ateneo, CEU, FEU, UP, UST) plus St. Scholastica Alumnae Association.

Bay Bernabe (UP) explained why Summerfest came to be. “(It) was organized to provide an informal setting for members of Philippine alumni associations to get to know one another, foster camaraderie, encourage interaction, and exchange ideas,” he said.

Furthermore,  “Summerfest attempts…to stoke a bit of the competitive fire as the schools engage in various team sports, (and)… each association can count on the other school groups to support projects and activities, and individual members have expanded our choice network of professional, work, and social contacts from other schools,”  Bernabe added.

Summerfest has an unwritten but well enforced policy to not allow any individual, commercial or political endorsements, promotions and solicitations of any form.

The current officers of PCUAA are Ed Panganiban (Mapua) Chairman, Rose Yu (Adamson) vice chairman, and members Henry Taguba (SBC), Fred Gamboa (UP), Oliver Rey (Feati), and Priscilla Cayford (UST).  Officers serve for a two-year term (2015-2016).

Summerfest common expenses are paid via contributions from participating schools or through a PCUAA-sponsored once-a-year fundraising event.

Every year, picnic tables laden with food brought by the school members form part of the communal buffet–attendees can visit neighbours and enjoy dishes from various schools’ and this year, taho and sago seemed to be the healthy dessert of choice.

To support Summerfest 2016,  Panganiban invites everyone to attend PCUAA’s Bingo Fund Raising on September 20, from noon to 3:00 pm, at Rama Gaming Centre, 2295 Battleford Rd. at Erin Mills Pkwy.  Tickets are $15 per person and are available from Ed Panganiban.  Call Ed at 416-805-0356 or email him at edd.panganiban68@gmail.com.

Results of the fun sports activities:

Co-champions: FEATI and College of Holy Spirit

2nd Place: Centro Escolar University and UP

3rd Place: CPU, La Salle, MAPUA, PLM, and Univ. of San Carlos

At the start of the festivities, PCUAA gave Certificate of Appreciation to some personalities who in one way or another for their dedication, hard work, growth, stability of the association.

• Bayani Bernabe

• Priscilla Cayford

• Ted Crescencia

• Rey Reyes

• Tom Mascardo

(PRESS RELEASE/ Marisa Roque)