Recently, the ROTC Games 2024 was held here in Bacolod and delegates from Visayas Regions were billeting at our campus for a week. As a School-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Unit of the City, we are enforced to oversee the welfare of the delegates within our facility. It was another huge responsibility but we're down to make it safe and secure, so the athletes of the Reserve Force could focus more on their games and well-attended.
All units of the Reserve Armed Forces have participated in this annual games. The one that stayed at our campus were the delegates of the Air Force Reserve from different regions here in Visayas. They had occupied two buildings and was aided by the school and the city DRRM Unit for the foods, supplies, and the service vehicles.
At the first day, the opening ceremony was held at the Panaad Park and Stadium. We're all up by 5:00 am to prepare to head off and attend the formal kick off of the event. Our duty here was to oversee the delegates and guide them since they're not familiar here. We accompanied the delegates in each truck going to the venue to make sure of their safety while traveling.
As day breaks, all of the delegates, guests, officers, medics, and media have gathered at the side of the Stadium for a parade spearheaded by the Color Guards, Drums & Beaugle, Masskara Festival Dancers and followed by the coaches, officers, Instructors and their constituents from each type of service in the Reserve Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
We also walked beside our delegates here which is the Air Force, and stayed with them until the end of the program. We heard remarks from the supporting politicians and seen awesome performances from the Drums & Beaugle and the Dancers. After that, the Reserve units from STI West Negros University and John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation showcased their disciplined, well-coordinated movements with rifles and Gala uniforms, and entertaining dance in a 10-15 minutes performance in a Fancy Drill intermission. With all that snappiness, there were still some flaws during their entire drills and it was inevitable, but the overall performance was lauded and commended by the entire stadium. It was pretty amazing to be honest, and it kept me in awe while watching.
Photo taken by: ARKYPILA GO
Caught on cam!
We were like escorts of the Air Force Reserve Instructors here, walking side by side with them the entire time with a Medical Kit and Radio at hand. It was getting hotter as the program commenced and we were standing at the center of the field for hours. During the program, I managed to befriend the Instructor beside me out of boredom. He was even more concerned with us than their own. I did assured him that we are used to this kind of tasks already.
After series of performances and remarks, we have been allowed to find a seat at the bleachers but we choose to go outside and look for foods sibce we haven't got any from heading off there so early. Then later on, as it was announced to be officially opened for the delegates to have a friendly games, the helicopter from the Aor Force dropped confettis to the stadium, signaling a warm and colorful welcome for the athletes and visitors.
Then, after that, we had guided and accompanied them again back to their quarters in our school which they will be staying after each of their games for a week. That said, we have been tasked to stay there with them until they have all went back to their respective regions.
Anyway, that's another blog from my recent duties as a Medical Responder. Thanks for reading!
