Inaugural season of Bucaa begins

BULACAN Gov. Daniel Fernando and Vice Gov. Alexis Castro spearheaded the opening ceremony for the inaugural season of the Bulacan University and Collegiate Athletic Association (Bucaa) at the Baliwag Star Arena in Baliwag City on Monday, April 15.

Before the start of the centerpiece basketball tournament, a cheer dance competition was held at the same venue featuring 10 schools.

Inaugural season of Bucaa begins

Fernando, who is also the chairman of Bucaa, hailed the Provincial Youth and Sports Development Office (PYSDO) for helping organize the league that aims to consolidate all programs and projects related to sports development in the province.

“This will give the Bulakenyo youth the opportunity to shine and excel,” said Fernando, who also vowed to give his all-out support to the young athletes.

Nikki Coronel, officer in charge of the PYSDO, said the main venue for the 32-team basketball competition is the Bulacan Sports Complex in Barangay Dakila, City of Malolos.

Aside from basketball, Bucaa will also hold competitions volleyball, swimming, badminton, table tennis and chess, among others.

Fernando takes pride in Bulacan’s reputation as a nurturing ground for champions and highlighted Bucaa’s three main goals.

“The three main goals are fostering self-growth, boosting school pride, and igniting the Bulakenyo spirit,” he said.

For his part, Castro said that the provincial government wanted to discover a new Bulakenyong athletes who will be recognized not only in Bulacan province, but also in the whole world as a Filipino.

Bucaa was established through Executive Order 11 in accordance with Republic Act 10742 also known as the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015. It outlines nine key areas of youth involvement, which serve as the foundation for developing the Local Youth Development Plan that will be instrumental in designing programs aimed at enhancing the well-being of the youth in Bulacan.

Fernando added that it was organized by the provincial government of Bulacan to support and guide Bulacan student athletes in their respective careers and to shape the next generation of better athletes and strengthen the unity of those in the field of sports.

Bulacan is known as “Home of the Champions” such as Lydia de Vega, Bobby Jose, Rodney Santos and Jonas Villanueva, and countless awards have been won by Bulacan athletes, that is why the provincial government wanted to strengthen and hone the sports potential of the youth.

Meanwhile, PUP Sta. Maria bagged the overall champion in the cheer dance competition. Bulacan State University-Meneses Campus is first runner-up, followed by Dalubhasaang Politekniko-Baliwag and Academia de San Lorenzo Dema-Ala in this order.

The Best Muse was Charmaine Alexis Cruz of BSU Meneses.