ROARING TOWARDS THIS year’s National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Season 102, the Bedan community held its annual Pep Rally today, September 2, sending off their athletes as San Beda University (SBU) prepares to compete in the upcoming season as the school host, carrying the theme, “Home of the Lions, Heart of the Champions.”
The event opened with a eucharistic celebration for the athletes, held at the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat where Athletics Moderator, Rev. Fr. Martin Aleman, O.S.B., presided over the solemn gathering dedicated to sending off Bedan Athletes in preparation for the upcoming season. During the Mass, he imparted a stern message for the athletes and called for them to “not hold onto past glory,” emphasizing that a new season comes with new challenges.
Adding to this, he also urged the coaches to “command them with excellence, and please trust your preparation.”
In his opening remarks, Rev. Fr. Aleman reminded Bedans that the athletes “represents all of us,” stressing that the athletes carry with them the entire Bedan community from fellow students to the staffs and the alumni.
Calling on the Bedan community to stand behind the athletes throughout the season, Rev. Fr. Aleman urged students to provide the athletes with the support and vigor they will need as they enter the competition. “‘Wag niyo sana silang iwan the moment they enter the battlefield,” he expressed, emphasizing the Pep Rally as the beginning of the community’s support for the athletes who will carry the name of the University into Season 102.
The event formally introduced SBU’s NCAA contingent through the roll call of athletes and team presentations, alongside performances and activities that generated support from the University’s teams ahead of the league’s season.
Rallying behind the athletes are attendees from the SBU Integrated Basic Education (IBED), the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the College of Accountancy and Business (CAB), the College of Nursing (CON), the College of Education (COE), the College of Medicine (COM), and the College of Law (COL). Students from San Beda University – Rizal (SBU-R) and San Beda College Alabang (SBCA) also celebrated with fellow Bedans.
Rev. Fr. Aleman appreciated the spirit of the Bedan community that still showed up to the Pep Rally despite the shift to online classes beginning September 1 in preparation for the upcoming BAR examinations wherein the University is selected as one of the testing sites.
Marking its first Pep Rally as an inaugural college, CAB joined the Bedan community in the send-off. In an interview with The Bedan, the newly elected CAB Student Executive Council (SEC) Chairperson, Shara Chrisly Esteba, reiterated that “what’s most important today is we encourage the college, as a newly established college, in attending a milestone like this.”
The event was formally closed by Dean Dominador Manlincon of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) in lieu of Rector-President Rev. Fr. Ma. Aloysius A. Maranan O.S.B.’s absence.
Sudden downpours disrupted the scheduled outdoor activities and forced attendees to seek shelter. Despite the rain-induced delays and adjustments, the event continued with the bonfire and fireworks display and was considered a success that ultimately brought the Bedan community to wrap up the event with the singing of the Bedan Hymn.
This event signaled that the entire Bedan community stands ready to fight alongside Bedan athletes as SBU awaits the NCAA opening this September 13 at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, Pasay City.
(with Eunice Buccat)