The Ctu Danao campus was abuzz with excitement last Monday, November 4th, as the annual intramurals kicked off with a "Game of Thrones" theme. For those unfamiliar with the popular American television series, "Game of Thrones" is set in a fictional world where powerful families, known as houses, vie for control of the Iron Throne, the seat of power in the Seven Kingdoms. Each house is distinguished by its unique coat of arms, motto, and history.
For our intramurals, each department was assigned a house from the show: Technology became House Baratheon, known for their strength and martial prowess; Management and Entrepreneurship was House Tyrell, renowned for their wealth and influence; Arts and Sciences was House Arryn, known for their wisdom and justice; and Engineering was House Lannister, known for their cunning and ambition.
The day was electric with energy as the departments paraded, showcasing their sports teams, introducing their Miss and Mr. Intramurals candidates, and competing in spirited cheer routines.
The City of Danao was alive with the joyful atmosphere created by the students and the vendors, whose delicious treats added to the festive mood.
The basketball competition, the first event of the intramurals, commenced that evening with a thrilling match between Technology and Engineering. In a hard-fought battle, the Department of Technology emerged victorious. As the competition unfolded, it became clear that House Baratheon, representing Technology, was dominating the scoreboard, securing the most wins so far.
Day 2: The Battle Continues
The second day of the intramurals saw the action shift to the volleyball court and the basketball court, with fierce competition between the departments.
Arriving around 3:00 PM on Tuesday, I found myself drawn to the volleyball court, where Engineering was facing off against Arts and Sciences (often referred to as the Education department). The battle between these two teams was fierce, with both sides displaying impressive skills and determination. However, I couldn't stay long as I was eager to catch the girls' basketball match.
The girls' basketball match pitted Education against the same department. The game was filled with energy and excitement, with both teams showcasing their talent and passion for the sport.
After the game, I decided to wander around and grab some food. I joined my friends and we bought some delicious french fries. A funny situation unfolded as I thought I had already paid for the fries and was expecting change. To my horror, I realized my 500 pesos was still in my wallet, meaning I hadn't paid at all! I was so embarrassed, but quickly rectified the situation and paid for the fries.
With the girls' basketball match over, the boys' basketball competition took center stage. Management and Entrepreneurship faced off against Education, followed by a match between Engineering and Entrepreneurship/Management.
As the games took a break, my friends and I decided to grab some more food and find a spot to relax. We settled on the oval, a large grassy area perfect for a break. We sat in the center, enjoying the fresh air and the lively atmosphere of the intramurals.
Day 3: A Quiet Day
Day three of the intramurals was a quieter affair. I spent only an hour at school before heading home.
Day 4: Rest and Recharge, Movie Night, and Pizza
I wasn't feeling well on day four and stayed home. My classmates, however, were busy preparing for an upcoming practical exam in our major, CompTech. They needed to practice for the exam, which was scheduled for Saturday.
My friends asked if they could come over to my house for a practice session. I checked with my mom, and she said it was okay, so I told my friends they could come around 1:00 PM. Glydel, Evita, and Kate arrived first and we got straight to work on the project. I chatted with Carmela, who was running late, and we continued practicing until we felt confident.
Once we were satisfied with our progress, we decided to watch a movie. Carmela finally arrived, and we settled on a Taiwanese horror film called "A Place of Silence." The movie follows a group of friends who venture to a remote mountain cabin for a weekend getaway. However, their trip takes a sinister turn when they discover a dark secret hidden within the cabin's walls. The film explores themes of isolation, paranoia, and the psychological effects of trauma, making it a suspenseful and chilling watch that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
After the movie, we ordered pizza. I bought a Hawaiian Delight, a ham and pineapple pizza, and a shawarma pizza. I'm a big fan of shawarma pizza, but it was nice to try something different. We all agreed that the Hawaiian pizza was the best. We ate and watched the movie, and we were all jumping at every scare.
We continued our practice session after the movie, focusing on the project more seriously. Around 6:00 PM, my friends went home.
Day 6: The Practical Exam
The sixth day brought the dreaded practical exam. We had only 15 minutes to assemble the Arduino, connect jumpers and breadboards, and program the LED lights to blink. Unfortunately, I struggled with the programming and only managed to get 10 points out of 20. While I was disappointed, I felt better knowing that some of my classmates scored even lower.
The exam was marred by some unfairness. Our teacher, who also taught us in our first year, seemed to favor certain students, allowing them to extend their exam time beyond the 15-minute limit. This caused frustration among some classmates, who felt the situation was unjust.
After the exam, we went to Evita's house. We watched a YouTube channel called "Nukestop5," which reviews and analyzes horror documentaries sent by its viewers. We watched video after video, and after one particularly spooky one, we all fell asleep.
We woke up around 2:30 AM, realizing we had to get ready for our last exam. We rushed to get ready and made it to school just in time. After the exam, we went to town to buy a wall clock for my friend's grandmother and a tablecloth to go with it. We went to the department store, Novo, which is known for its cheap finds. We were drawn to the Christmas decorations and the selection of cheap Chinese snacks.
We bought some snacks and then went to the plaza to eat them. My friend treated us, which we were very grateful for. After that, we went back to the mall, ate the snacks, and then went home.
The Intramurals: More Than Just Games
The Ctu Danao intramurals are more than just a series of sporting events. They are a chance for students from different departments to come together, build camaraderie, and showcase their talents. The "Game of Thrones" theme added an extra layer of excitement and fun, encouraging students to embrace their assigned houses and cheer for their departments with passion.
The event also highlighted the importance of sportsmanship and fair play. Despite the fierce competition, the spirit of camaraderie remained strong throughout the games.
Looking Forward
The Ctu Danao intramurals are a testament to the school's commitment to fostering a vibrant and active student community. The event is a reminder that sports and competition can bring people together, build friendships, and create lasting memories. With House Baratheon on a winning streak, I can't wait to see what the next of the intramurals have in store!