MERRY FITNESS towards a FIT and HEALTHY LIFE!

It was actually a day to celebrate Christmas in a traditional party Filipinos are known for. A party with parlor games, raffles and dance contest. But the UMFWC Christmas Festival 2008 proved to be more than that. It has made the celebration for the season worth remembering for a lifetime where everyone got a chance to paint a memory of his or her own – colorful and vibrant.

The University of Mindanao Fitness & Wellness Centre, with the mission to promote health and wellness to everyone, most especially to the students, have become stalwart agent of health and fitness in the life of many. On its 20th year, the UM Fitness & Wellness Centre showcased a magnanimous display of talents and entertainment during its Christmas Festival 2008 at the UM Main Gymnasium last December 20, 2008.

The UMFWC Christmas Festival 2008 was full of fun, laughter, singing, dancing, yelling, and cheers as each and everyone present indulge themselves into the world of great excitement and energized enthusiasm to perform, find enjoyment, and win. A lot prizes and surprises were given to the students as they all exhibited high-powered dance numbers and well-choreographed spoof shows.

Special Physical Education students of the UM Fitness & Wellness Centre were so empowered and talented as they organized themselves and form teams that would vie for the titles and prizes in store for them during the festival. The Overall Champion was the Pink Team, followed by the Blue Team in second place and the Yellow Team in third place.

Atty. Karlo B. Nograles, Guest of Honor and Speaker of the UMFWC Christmas Festival 2008, graced the occasion and generously give Christmas gifts. But most importantly, the inspiring message he left for the students to ponder upon as they will journey the life towards achieving quality education was the best thing that happen during the festival. He said that the best way to succeed in the game in life is through attaining education.

Everyone was so delighted and mesmerized of all the happy experiences they have encountered during the UMFWC Christmas Festival 2008. They could not also forget such lovely memories they etched in their life as a student of the University of Mindanao. The UMFWC Christmas Festival 2008 was not only a celebration of the yuletide season but an avenue to hone talents and skills of students as well as continuously imbibe in them the love for health, fitness and wellness.

The UMFWC Christmas Festival 2008 became a big success because of the kind support of the following: Major Sponsors – Atty. Karlo B. Nograles, Kgd. Bendor A. Calamba of Brgy. Talomo, Salesiana Publishing, Metrolifestyle Fitness Center & Spa, Banoks & Sunrise Foods Corp., Holiday Gym & Spa, C & E Publishing, Mary Immaculate Health & Educational Foundation, Ms. Yurie Aparis Bernadas, Yvonnie Jane Jonelas, and 92.3 Wild FM. Minor Sponsors – Rotary Club South Davao, Ms. Virgie Conejar, Ms. Perlita Mullot, Eliza Shane Dua, Godfrey Yap, Arachel Ravago, and Campo Agua Resort.

P.S. Special thanks to all the members of the UMFWC Christmas Festival 2008 Working Committee: Audio/Visual Presentation – Joffer Aparis; Logistics – Ruel Dumale; Pageant Planning & Direction – Roy Vencent Miano and Jabar Umpar; Prizes & Raffles – Blue Team with Pres. Fellia, Eva, Yvonnie and Shiela; Stage Decoration – Red Team with Pres. Nizelyn; Physical Set-Up – Jigger Balles and company; Technical Coordination – John Rey Paradanas; Documentation – Pink Team with Pres. Khen; Video Coverage – Orange Team with Pres. Arggie; Reception – Green Team with Pres. James; Tabulation – Darling Romero and Mic-Mic Constantino; and, Refreshments – Mohammad Sakkam and Jello Aparis. You are all a blessing from God! Merry Fitness towards a Fit and Healthy Life!

MR. & MS. FITNESS 2008

Ms. Fitness 2008 - April Rose Lubiano (Pink Team)

Mr. Fitness 2008 - Gerald Tugade (Pink Team)

1st Runner Up (Ms) - Emerald Magoncia (Orange Team)

1st Runner Up (Mr) - Zulkifli Sangcopan (Red Team)

2nd Runner Up (Ms) - Shiela Mae Yllica (Blue Team)

2nd Runner Up (Mr) - Margyle Denis Leparto (Green Team)

The Search for MR. & MS. FITNESS 2008

It was indeed a memorable occasion as the UM Fitness & Wellness Centre Christmas Festival 2008 held at the same time the first-ever search for Mr. & Ms. Fitness 2008. Gorgeous men and women, who are Special Physical Education students of the University of Mindanao, grab the limelight and made the night worth remembering.

As these beautiful boys and girls, equipped with smart intelligence and passion for health and fitness, strut their way to the centerstage, audience and guests alike were awe-struck by their undoubtedly amazing persona. They were introduced in the world-class visual presentation as persons with beauty, brain and body. Who will be in and who will be out? Who will reign supreme and become the first Mr. & Ms. Fitness 2008?

The candidates are composed of chosen few from the competing teams, namely: Orange Team, Blue Team, Green Team, Yellow Team, Red Team, and Pink Team.

Representing the Orange team are Emerald Magoncia of the Teachers College and Dave Brodeth Santos who is taking up Hotel & Restaurant Management. Emerald was hesistant to join the search as a first-timer but being a neophyte doesn’t stop her from winning two special awards (Best in Jazz-up Jeans and Best in Sports Wear) and landing as 1st Runner-Up Ms. Fitness ‘08. Dave, on the other hand, who dream to become an international chef, was also the winner of the Best in Jazz-up Jeans among male contenders.

Bearing the banner of the Blue Team are: Shiela Mae Yllica and Jake Umbajeno. Shiela is an Accountancy student who believes that beauty depends on the simplicity of the person while Jake, who is a guy with simple thoughts in life, is a budding Mechanical Engineer. The pair from the Blue team became victorious though as Shiela landed 2nd Runner-Up Ms. Fitness ‘08.

The pair that represented the Green team are tall and beautiful couple, namely: Vanessa Marzado and Margyle Denis Leparto. Vanessa is from the College of Business Administration taking up Hotel & Restaurant Management. She dreamed of becoming a professional model someday which is not impossible with her height and physique. Meanwhile, Margyle Denis, is the most athletic man in the search being a Muay Thai practioner. He won two special awards (Best in P.E. Uniform and Best in Sports Wear) and luckily landed as 2nd Runner-Up Mr. Fitness ’08.

Representing the Yellow team is a lovely pair from the College of Business Administration. Cel Grace Paguidian is taking up Bachelor of Science in Tourism, who described herself as a simple, friendly and loving lady who dreamed who going abroad. She won Best in P.E. Uniform among female candidates. John Marzan, on the other hand, taking up Human Resource Management, described himself as a simple and nice person.

A proud pair from the Red team, who performed a traditional Filipino dance during their talent presentation, is composed of Michelle David and Zulkifli Sangcopan. Michelle, who is a positive thinker in life, loves to explore. She is taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Human Resource Management. While Zulkifli or Zul, who was the lucky 1st Runner-Up Mr. Fitness ’08 winner, is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing student.

The luckiest pair of them all is from the Pink team, composed of Gerald Tugade and April Rose Lubiano, who both won the coveted titles Mr. & Ms. Fitness 2008 respectively. Gerald is an Accountancy student while April Rose is taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Marketing Management. Incidentally, they also were the winners of the Best in Talent awards. Such a magnificent pair!

The winners of the first-ever search for the Mr. & Ms. Fitness 2008, Gerald Tugade and April Rose Tugade, will become ambassadors of goodwill of the UM Fitness & Wellness Centre in promoting health, fitness and wellness to everyone!

INTERACTIVE WATER FUN FOR EVERYONE!

The sophisticated and beautiful friend of mine, Jocelyn Nefiel, who happens to be the Operations Manager of one of the latest family resort in the south of Davao City, surprised me much when she announced that Campo Agua is born. At first I thought of her having her first child, but I was wrong. Trying to decipher the name, I thought of a hint that it is a new resort to look forward of going to where you can experience exciting water moments.

Food! Fishing! Interactive Water Fun! These are what Campo Agua is all about. Delicious foods served in a delectable manner can surely melt your heart out as the sun rises to its grandest glory at lunch time. Fresh fishes you can personally pick from your fishing escapades at its ponds will find you the chance of a lifetime just like having a dynamic commune with elusive aqua creatures converted into sumptuous seafood dishes you can’t resist.

The swimming pool at Campo Agua is seemingly far different from all the swimming pools in town. It is not as deep as you usually expects from a swimming pool because its depth only measures 2-3 feet, which for you is only damn good for children. But if you’ve got the child in you, a feeling of elation will undoubtedly tickle you fondness for sprinkles and splashes once you soak (no diving!) yourself in Campo Agua swimming pool.

Campo Agua is located in Sirawan, Toril, Davao City. As Lyn-lyn graciously pronounced, Campo Agua is a family-oriented resort, boasting of a swimming pool with built-in showers, slides and fun fountains for the children. Surrounded by trees and inland ponds, Campo Agua is an ideal location for seminar, functions, and all kinds of celebrations. It is also perfect for a good, fun swim for the whole family.

Lyn-lyn added, “other attractions available in Campo Agua are the tilapia ponds where you can fish to your heart’s delight, and the crocodile farm which houses more than 300 captivity-bred crocodiles. Delicious dishes in their menu include different preparations of tilapia and hito.”

Campo Agua is open from 7:00 o’clock in the morning until 5:00 PM. Book your reservations at 291-2792, and bring along friends and family. You may also contact Jocelyn Nefiel, Operations Resort Manager, Campo Agua Resort, 0918-9337058 and 09228279358.