Representatives from participating missions, conferences, medical, and educational institutions gathered from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 in Calbayog City for the Physical Fitness Fellowship, held under the theme “Promoting Unity, Encouraging Wellness, and Building Community.”
Hosted by the Adventist Church in the Samar Mission, the sports fellowship took place across various indoor and outdoor sports venues in Calbayog City.
The multi-day event brought together workers and representatives to celebrate fellowship, camaraderie, and physical health.
Participating institutions include the East Central Philippine Union Conference (ECPUC), Samar Mission (SM), East Visayan Conference (EVC), Adventist Hospital Calbayog (AH-Calbayog), and the East Visayan Adventist Academy (EVAA).
The opening program kicked off on Aug. 30, and Pastor Von John Sanchez, youth and health ministries director for the ECPUC, declared it open.
Following the opening orientation, delegates participated in various athletic games held at different sports complexes and playing courts throughout the city, concluding the fellowship on Sept. 1.
During his welcome remarks, Sanchez reminded attendees to avoid a competitive mindset so everyone could enjoy, relax, and fellowship with one another.
“We don’t mind losing the game. We don’t mind having low scores, but we mind more about knowing you and having fellowship with you,” Sanchez said. “And we also want to promote that. We want one voice, and we need to be united as one.”
He added that, as chairman of the union’s social committee and the physical fitness fellowship, and speaking on behalf of the administrators, ECPUC stands united in fully supporting the event.
The athletic lineup featured ball games such as basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, kickball (commonly played as a high-energy group or mass-action game during fellowship events), table tennis, lawn tennis, and pickleball.
During the awarding ceremony, Pastor Eliezer “Joer” Barlizo Jr., the first ECPUC president, said, “I would like to thank all of you for your support and cooperation.”
He acknowledged everyone’s presence and efforts in attending, while expressing his desire for an even larger reunion next year.