Laguna STRAA champion

The Laguna delegation proved its might once again when it brought home the championship in the Southern Tagalog Regional Athletic Association (STRAA 2000) meet held at Puerto Princesa City February 28-March 4.

As in STRAA '99, Laguna grabbed the championship, both in the elementary and secondary divisions, beating 10 provinces and six cities. Laguna garnered 419 points. Puerto Princesa followed with 345, Rizal 213, and Palawan 204.

Gov. Jose D. Lina, Jr. welcomed the delegation headed by PESS supervisor Nieva B. Reodica at the provincial capitol upon their arrival straight from the meet site.

"This is the fruit of the sports program started almost four years ago," Lina said.

Laguna had not won the championship for years before Lina became governor of the province in 1995. With his sports program, he has improved the quality of its athletes until it reapead the fruits of effort when it won the overall championship in STRAA in 1999. The province also became champion in the LGUlympics and Batang Pinoy.

Laguna also won special awards in the STRAA 2000, such as best parade, most disciplined delegation, cleanest quarters, and most complete delegation with the presence of the governor and board members.