Written by Zion Jedd Martinez
The University of Baguio Science High School recently held its annual Youth Development Training (YDT) Sportfest, which promotes camaraderie, sportsmanship, and teamwork among students. The event took place at the UB Cardinals Gym from January 22 to 24, 2025, with the theme “Time Travel Into the Past.” Teams represented various countries and historical periods. The YDT program helps students develop discipline, resilience, and teamwork. As one of the most highly anticipated events at the school, it fosters a spirit of healthy competition and unity, making it an unforgettable experience for both participants and spectators.
The YDT Sportfest is a six-team competition that includes both Senior High and Junior High students. While the event itself spans three days, preparation begins months in advance, with students dedicating time to perfect their cheers, craft props, and coordinate team practices to ensure strong performances. The first day of the competition focuses on the YDT proper, where teams showcase their cheers, Mr. and Ms., cheer dance, and other performances, while the following two days are dedicated to the Palaro games, featuring a mix of modern and traditional sports. The event was primarily organized by the YDT Bodies under the leadership of the Sports Ministers and the overall supervision of the event head, Mr. Jesus Boac.
During the YDT proper, the lighting of the torch was entrusted to Michiko Gonzales, an outstanding archery student-athlete from UBSCI who recently won six medals in the Batang Pinoy competition. The Junior High School (JHS) competition took place in the morning, while the Senior High School (SHS) competition was held in the afternoon, followed by the awarding ceremony later in the day. Before each team’s performance, all cheerers joined together for the Grand Cheers, creating a thrilling opening for the event.
Additionally, the event featured the Batch Cheer, a special performance by the Grade 10 batch, Vox Victoriae, where they presented their batch cheer as a way to leave a lasting mark before moving on to Senior High School. One of the highlight performances was the Traditional Cheering, where students showcased their synchronized chants and stomps. The Mr. and Ms. competition, primarily for JHS students, featured Grade 7 representatives showcasing their talents and confidence, while the Cheer Dance competition, exclusive to SHS students, highlighted the dynamic and well-coordinated modern dances of each team.
The YDT Sportfest concluded with the much-anticipated announcement of winners, recognizing the outstanding performances of each team. In the Junior High School Sportsfest competition, the Black Team emerged as the champion, followed by the Purple Team as first runner-up and the Blue Team as second runner-up. Meanwhile, in the Senior High School (SHS) division, the Gray Team also emerged as the champion, with the Cyan Team as first runner-up, and a tie between the Beige and Peach Teams for second runner-up.
The Palaro games also showcased the athletic skills and teamwork of students, with the Black Team winning the Junior High School overall championship, followed by the Green Team in second place and the Red Team in third place. In the Senior High School division, the Maroon Team claimed the championship title, with the Peach Team as first runner-up and the Cyan Team securing second place.
The YDT Sportfest 2025 was a resounding success, bringing together students in a celebration of talent, teamwork, and school spirit. Beyond the competition, the event fostered camaraderie and sportsmanship, strengthening bonds among participants and leaving lasting memories. Months of preparation and dedication paid off as students showcased their passion and determination in both the performances and sports events. The energy, excitement, and unity displayed throughout the Sportfest proved once again why YDT remains one of the most anticipated events of the school year, inspiring future batches to continue this proud tradition.
