NEWS|CMA Palakasan returns stronger than ever as brightest stars collide

CMA Palakasan returns stronger than ever as brightest stars collide

Marielle Nacar Balgua

College of Management and Accountancy (CMA) Executives could not contain their excitement as the most awaited CMA fest comes back with an impactful clash between the brightest stars embodying the theme, "CMA PALAKASAN 22'23: COLLISION OF STARS".

The CMA department is the first to conduct its college fest this academic year, October 6-8, 2022. CMA Student Council (CMASC) led the student body through the successful face-to-face event.

Five teams competed during the Palakasan, representing each star:

The Sun - Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA)

Vega - Junior Marketing Association (JMA)

Spica - International School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (ISHTM)

Antares - PHINMA UPang College of Urdaneta-CMA Department (PUCU-CMA)

Arcturus - Junior Financial Executives (JFINEX)

In a conversation with Maritoni Meneses, the Chairman of the event and CMASC JPIA Representative, she said they felt a lot of pressure during the preparation because, after two years of conducting it online, it was finally celebrated face-to-face.

"Everyone is giving their effort to achieve the best for the event," Meneses shared.

The students in the fest enjoyed various activities. On Day 1 of Palakasan, Executives got creative during the digital art competitions. Video Making Competition outputs were shown during the Facebook Livestream of the CMASC; wherein JMA gained 1st place. Meanwhile, JPIA won the Logo Making Competition.

Quiz bees also tested their brilliance on the same day. JPIA conquered the Battle of the Brains, while JFINEX prevailed in Quizzie-cally.

Executives have also showcased their mobile gaming prowess through e-sports competitions. Eliminations were live on the page for Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM) and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB).

The finals for the e-sports competition happened on Day 2. JMA was the victor in CODM, prevailing over PUCU-CMA. However, in MLBB, PUCU-CMA showed dominance against their opponent, JPIA, and grabbed the championship title.

JFINEX shined the brightest during the sports competition. The team dominated Table Tennis and Volleyball, both men's and women's divisions, bringing home the championship. The team also won in board games, namely, Chess and Scrabble. On the other hand, ISHTM won the Games of the Generals.

A sea of yellow filled the University Gymnasium on the fest's final day. Loud cheers from the Executives echoed inside, roaring their team names and supporting their participants.

Photo from PHINMA-UPang College of Management ang Accountancy Student Council Facebook Page

JMA growled the loudest as they received the 1st place award in Cheer and Chant.

A stellar performance from the ISHTM department made them the champions in Unity Dance.

In the afternoon, the most awaited CMA Icons 2.0 welcomed everyone as the opening, and in between different segments, Lip Sync Battle (a.k.a. Drag Race) commenced, wherein the JMA team was crowned. The icons flashed their fancy walks during the pasarela, displayed their business attires, paraded their creative costumes, and laid out their formal attires and long gowns. An image interpretation segment has also tested the views of the contestants.

Winning almost all the segments, ISHTM candidates Anton Macapallag and Quennie Pearl Cubol won the Mr. and Ms. CMA ICONS 2022 title. Their wit, elegance, and brilliance helped them shine the brightest during the event.

The student council felt fulfilled as they saw how everyone cheered for their respective teams from day one until the last day. Seeing the Executives enjoying the event meant a job well done for them, as bringing engagement to every CMA student was the council's goal.

Team Vega, represented by the JMA students, was announced as the Overall Champion.

JMA President, Jobert Ramos, said that it was a combined effort and hard work from their members. "The preparation wasn't that easy since the other RSOs are competitive too, but with the accumulated support and help of our JMA advisers and the active participation of the Marketing students, we all got what we are aiming for," he added.

Ramos admitted that it was a tough competition, so they didn't expect to win. They could only be grateful to the Marketing students who held the bow and aimed their arrows toward that victory.

"We are all cheered and feeling blessed, especially now that our efforts have been paid with victory. The Junior Marketing Association PHINMA UPang Chapter will always go beyond excellence", Ramos rejoiced.

Meneses also thanked the students who supported the fest and the CMASC Governor, Jherico Castillo, for his guidance and leadership that led to an unforgettable event.

Wrapping up the event, the council posted photos taken during the 3-day fest capturing the bright smiles of the Executives. It showed that these brightest stars may have collided, but at the end of the day, they will always be #OneCMA.

The CMASC is now preparing for the department's Success Ladder and is eyeing the win on PHINMA UPang's Lamparaan 2022, which will happen in December.