Following its CESAFI withdrawal earlier in May, Year 2024 bore the freshest rebranding of SWU PHINMA’s biggest annual sporting event, SIGLAKAS+.
SIGLAKAS+ mirrors the excitement of CESAFI, exclusively for the Southwestern University PHINMA studentry.
Officially launched with its Opening Ceremony on Friday, September 13, the then four-day Siglakas has now evolved into a year-long athletic showcase in succeeding editions, subsequently becoming the bedrock of the university’s academic calendar.
Inclement weather hardly deterred the attendees from populating the University Ballpark, exchanging yells to support their esteemed college delegations.
Piloted by athletes in a parade of fame, the evening continued with the anticipated highlights: the coronation of the Ginoo and Binibining SIGLAKAS+ and the Pop Jazz Competition. A grand fireworks display capped the event, signifying the birth of a new athletic era for the Maroon community.
This year’s event has evolved from previous editions, which had a lighter and more driven atmosphere. The focus is now on helping college students make wiser choices as they juggle intense studying with their well-being.
“Actually, the main purpose of SIGLAKAS+ is to promote sports for all,” Ms. Maita Magalong, one of the lead organizers, shared in an interview with The Quill.
“The greatest challenge has been balancing academic performance with sports activities, but we insist on pushing through with the games because we believe in what SIGLAKAS+ can do for our students,” she added.
The university’s absence in this year’s CESAFI only made SIGLAKAS+ more important and highlighted because it was designed to attract possible student-athletes and participants all year long with its sports and wellness intervention.
SIGLAKAS+ has expanded the scope of its mother event, Siglakas, from the customary basketball, volleyball, futsal, 7-a-side soccer, badminton, chess, and E-Sports, to new additions Larong Pinoy and Sepak Takraw, introducing traditional and regional flavors.
The event is divided into two seasons, one for each of the two semesters of the academic year. This new format ensures continuous engagement and participation from all university departments.
Janelle, a sophomore who attended last year’s SIGLAKAS, expressed her thoughts on the improvements she noticed.
“The vibes here are totally different, way more awesome and chill than last time,” she said.
Though the atmosphere remained overwhelmingly positive, Janelle also mentioned the observable congestion in the venue, limiting her overall experience.
Seating arrangements and dates free of heavy rainfall were suggested to make the audience comfortable.
Nevertheless, Magalong is hopeful about the future of SIGLAKAS+, believing that it is through students that these events could remain vibrant and exciting all year.
“As long as students put in the effort and prepare for the games, they will always be exciting,” she added.
Moving forward, the university hopes to build on the success of SIGLAKAS+ in making sports and wellness an indispensable dimension of campus life.
