LAPU LAPU CITY — The 1Pacman party-list national movement for sports got off the ground on Saturday as the two-day 1Pacman Volleyball Festival kicked off at the Bankal Gym with 27 teams of youth participating.

The 1Pacman Volleyball Festival has been highly anticipated ever since organizers started listing youth teams interested in participating.

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On Sunday, over 100 players from ages 10 to 18 received training from top players of the Capital 1 volleyball team. The 1-Pacman Volleyball Clinic is set at the Subangdaku Gym in Mandaue City.

Milka Romero, 1-Pacman party-list chair and first nominee, said the increasing popularity of volleyball in the Philippines shows the readiness of our country to put sports as a vital contributor to the wellness of our youth.

“We, at 1-Pacman, take the cue from our countrymen. Sports is a vehicle to build a healthy, and competitive nation,” Romero said.

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Romero also thanked the teams, coaches, and festival officials who came from all over Cebu for their enthusiasm.

Capital 1 player Leila Cruz said, “It is wonderful to share with younger Cebuano players our know-how. Volleyball is such a fun team sport. As a young player, I met new friends, and I became more confident to be myself and grow with my skills. I learned how to balance many things in my life so I could reach my goal.”

Capiatl 1 player Iris Tolenada added that she is filled with many interesting memories of her much younger years, thanks to volleyball.

Romero said that with sports, with just the process of preparing for competitions, players already emerge as winners.

“Sa sports, panalo agad ang kabataan (In sports, young people automatically win). Whatever the outcome of competitions, sports people are already winners because of the attitudes and life skills they develop. The tenacity to endure, the discipline for practice, the determination to make the best of opportunities, the regard for teamwork, and respect for others, all of these attributes are inside the bundle called sports,” she said.

“These values endure, and we have the Olympics to remember as the best example. Then, when the communities come and cheer the teams, so much bonding and camaraderie takes place. Nothing beats sports to achieve these,” she added. “The elements for good sportsmanship are in the oaths that the participants will take. These vows to be our best selves form the foundation for the movement.”

For more updates on 1Pacman, log on to the FB page: 1PACMAN Partylist.