NAMRIA dominated the stage once again by winning back-to-back in the DENR Cultural Presentation and Mini-Sports Festival 2016. The competitions were done during the DENR year-end employees’ general assembly at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center Amphitheater, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City on 16 December 2016.

 

The cultural presentation dubbed as “A Christmas Story from the Movies” was participated in by nine DENR offices. The team from NAMRIA did a magical impression of the Tim Burton classic “The Nightmare before Christmas.” The team was composed of Mr. Jeffrey A. Quodala, Ms. Aileen H. Argente, and Mr. John Richard R. Bongalos of the Geospatial Information Systems Management Branch (GISMB); Ms. Jamaica M. Pinson and Mr. Keith C. Lagunday of the Hydrography Branch; Ms. Sheya Joy M. Bantolo and Mr. Jonathan S. Ballesteros of the Mapping and Geodesy Branch; Mr. Kevin Nickol C. Abao from the Resource Data Analysis Branch; and Ms. Arlene M. Balauro, Mr. Breyndon O. Manigos, Ms. Nikki Aimee B. Escandor, Ms. Julienne Louise V. Puquiz, Mr. John Michael B. Hita, and Ms. Glaiza M. Calunsag of the Support Services Branch. The other winners were the Biodiversity Management Bureau, second place and Mines and Geosciences Branch, third place.

 

The mini-sports festival had four events, namely: Men’s Basketball, Women’s Volleyball, Cheerdance, and Earth Warrior Games. The NAMRIA athletes all successfully placed in the top three of the four events thus making NAMRIA as the overall champion. Tied in second place were the teams from the Land Management Bureau and Environmental Management Bureau.

 

DENR Secretary Regina Paz “Gina” L. Lopez announced the winners and handed the cash prizes to NAMRIA. NAMRIA Deputy Administrator (DA) Jose C. Cabanayan, Jr. received the prizes and thanked DENR Secretary Lopez. In his acceptance speech, DA Cabanayan shared that unity and teamwork are the key elements why NAMRIA was victorious in both competitions.

 

With the theme “Caring Enough to Act and Doing It Together,” the day-long activity started out with an early bird raffle and a thanksgiving mass. It was immediately followed by the Christmas message of DENR Undersecretary Isabelo R. Montejo. Usec. Montejo, in his message, greeted all the attendees and encouraged them to work as one in achieving the goals of the department including the changes being implemented by the new administration.

 

Raffles and gift certificates also filled the excitement during the whole-day program. In the afternoon, celebrity singer Young JV rendered songs and Iyah Mina provided comic relief. GISMB's Annrou R. Ramos and this author acted as hosts in the morning.

 

The NAMRIA cultural presentation dancers with DENR Sec. Gina Lopez

 

The NAMRIA cheer dancers in motion

 

DA Cabanayan thanking DENR Sec. Gina Lopez