DepEd pays tribute to top ERJHS alumni-athletes

Induction of officers.

Alumni-athletes can help a lot in sports development by providing inspiration and serving as good role models to future champions from their respective schools.

This was stressed by Department of Education Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali during his speech in the first Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. High School Alumni Sports Club Hall of Fame and Scout Awards 2016 at the ERJHS grounds in Mayon Ave. recently.

Umali paid tribute to the 11 Hall of Fame awardees, led by 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics delegate Mar de Guzman and basketball star Leo Avenido, and urged them to continue their trailblazing ways and inspire more students from the school to take up sports.

“Like your awardees tonight, these student-athletes could someday represent the country in international competitions,” said Umali.

The ASC officers, led by People’s Tonight sports editor Ed Andaya of Batch 81 and Zeny Castor of Batch 70, were also inducted.

Also present during the ceremony were Batch 65 valedictorian Linda Espinosa-Dizon, ERJHS alumni president Jose Castro of Batch 66 and Philippine Navy Capt. Albert Mogol of Batch 78.

De Guzman was honored for being chosen as one of three student representatives to the International Youth Sports Assemblage during the 11th Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan.

Avenido was feted for his accomplishments in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), having played for Coca-Cola, Talk N Text, Air21, Barako Bull, Alaska and Kia Motors.

Aside from De Guzman and Avenido, the other awardees are Ramon Sabalboro of Batch 76 (darts), Manny Septimo of Batch 78 (track and field), Ed Navarro of Batch 78 (kendo), Angelo Young of Batch 80 (chess), Roland Doncillo of Batch 81 (shooting), Joseph Realista of Batch 85 (basketball), Roberto Ferrera of Batch 86 (bowling), Belinda Baluyut of Batch 88 (badminton), and Junn Abriza of Batch 91 (taekwondo).

Also honored were the ERJHS 1979 volleyball team, headed by coach Dulce Pante, for winning the Far East Asia volleyball championship in 1979; and the Batch 85 Sports Club, headed by Josephine Aldana-Aljahmani, for its role in the promotion of alumni sports.

Mogol and Arthur Castillo led 25 scout-awardees during awards ceremony held simultaneously with the Hall of Fame.

The other outstanding scout awardees are Enmanuel Castor, Reynan Apina and Oliric Lacsamana.