Davao City Launches Spectacular DCAA Meet 2025
The Davao City National High School grounds came alive with color, music, and energy as the Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) Meet 2025 officially opened on Friday, November 14. Under a late-afternoon sun that gave way to a refreshing drizzle, the event kicked off in a grand style that officials proudly described as a significant upgrade from previous years.
A Carnival of School Pride and Performance
Nearly 3,200 qualified athletes marched across the field, representing their schools with pride and determination. The atmosphere was electric, reminiscent of a vibrant carnival, as eight delegations filled the DCNHS oval with captivating saludo performances. These displays seamlessly blended school spirit, colorful uniforms, and meticulously practiced routines, setting a festive tone for the days of competition ahead.
The visible improvements were a point of pride for the organizers. Department of Education (DepEd) Davao City division superintendent Reynante Solitario emphasized the commitment to excellence, stating in an interview, "We really made it 360 degrees different because this is Davao City. Our opening shouldn't be ordinary." The enhancements included a fully dressed stage, professional sound engineering, and improved livestreaming capabilities for families and supporters unable to attend in person.
Victory Beyond Medals: A Message of Character
Acting Vice Mayor Rodrigo "Rigo" Duterte represented the city government and delivered a message from acting Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte. The mayor's address reminded the young competitors that the true essence of sports lies beyond winning medals.
"As you compete in your chosen field of sports in the coming days, always remember that beyond medals and victories, the greatest triumph lies in giving your very best," the message read. It highlighted that sports are a test of character, discipline, and fairness, and encouraged athletes to uphold healthy competition and mutual respect. The city government expressed its pride in all participants for representing their schools with dedication.
Celebrating Balance and Recognizing Excellence
In his keynote speech, Superintendent Solitario framed the meet as more than just an inter-school competition. He called it a "celebration of balance"—the harmony between athleticism and academics, competition and camaraderie, and victory and values.
He also took the opportunity to acknowledge the recent achievements of Davao City's sports program. The division's consistent dominance in the regional Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meets and its impressive performance as the Second Best Performing Division nationwide in the 2024 Palarong Pambansa were highlighted as marks of excellence.
Furthermore, Solitario celebrated three Davao sports leaders who were recently honored in the DepEd Central Office's Gawad Pagkilala sa Larangan ng Sports: Deony Ferolino (gold), Jeah Canoy (silver), and coach Aireen Tampos (bronze). He described these individuals as the passionate backbone of the athletes' success.
Inspiration from a Champion and National Pride
A particularly inspiring moment for the young athletes came from Paul Julyfer Bascon, a 2023 SEA Games boxing gold medalist from Panabo City. Bascon shared his humble beginnings, starting in small local competitions before rising to international glory. He candidly admitted to feeling nervous on the large stage, a sentiment that resonated with the audience.
"I really started with small competitions, small rings," Bascon recalled. "But I just kept going." He also stressed the importance of being a student-athlete, emphasizing that focus on studies comes first.
Before declaring the meet open, Superintendent Solitario introduced the Davao City secondary boys basketball team, which will join forces with standouts from Central Luzon to form the Philippine delegation to the Asean School Games in Brunei from November 19 to 30, 2025. This announcement filled the crowd with national pride.
Let the Games Begin!
With the theme "Sports for All: Discipline, Unity, Camaraderie, and Transformation" echoing throughout the event, Superintendent Solitario made the official declaration that everyone was waiting for.
"In the name of the Department of Education, Division of Davao City, and in partnership with the City Government of Davao… I proudly declare the Davao City Athletic Association Meet for School Year 2025–2026 formally open! Let the games begin!"
A thunderous cheer erupted from the athletes, a powerful sound that signaled the start of not just competitions, but the beginning of new stories of determination, friendship, and personal growth in the days to come.
