Cebu has added yet another title to its rich history as it was declared as the “Volleyball Capital of the Philippines,” thanks to a resolution that was passed and signed by the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF).
The resolution was approved last Oct. 21 but the official paperwork and the glass plaque commemorating the achievement was delivered last Wednesday by PVF president Gener Dungo.
Cebu Volleyball Association executive director Nona Catipay remarked that the feat remains an unbelievable thing.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we would be recognized like this. We didn’t even know that it was there for the taking,” said Catipay.
“This is really a hard-earned recognition. We did not win this since this was never a contest to begin with. The PVF was going all over the country imploring the local government units to go grassroots with their volleyball programs. One particular person that heeded that call was Governor (Gwen) Garcia. She had the E-Guv adopted last year and now, we have the elementary and high school divisions already in the GUV Cup.”
Catipay also stated that their current program will help the Philippines regain their spot atop the volleyball hierarchy in Southeast Asia.
“We were the superior team in the 1980s and the 90s. We have a history of sustained success and I believe we can do that again,” she said.
However, with the award comes an even greater responsibility to reach out to more people and spread the values of the sport.
“We can’t rest on our laurels. We have to be even better ambassadors of the sport.”
The formal turnover the plaque will be held during the championship game of the Guv Cup next month at the Cebu International Convention Center.