The INC Unity Games of the Ecclesiastical District of Laoag City culminated with greater camaraderie among participants at the Northwestern University gymnasium along Airport Road, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines on August 29, 2026.

Bringing together brethren and their families, the finals served as an avenue to strengthen the Christian solidarity within the district. As they watched teams and individual players representing their respective areas compete in multiple categories in basketball, volleyball, and badminton, the significance of teamwork, discipline, and brotherhood was highlighted.

Brother Eugenio Corpuz Jr., district supervising minister, gave the opening remarks after a prayer led by Brother Mark Dean Mateo, minister of the gospel.

The assistant district supervising minister, Brother Leonilo Sayo, then introduced the finalists. They were the elimination round winners from each area: Laoag City (Area 1A), San Nicolas (Area 1B), Vintar (Area 2), Solsona (Area 3), Bacarra (Area 4A), Pasuquin (Area 4B), Burgos (Area 5), and Pagudpud (Area 6). Badminton players in each category also came from said areas.

District Christian Family Organizations overseer, Brother Buena Fajardo, administered the oath of sportsmanship, after which he declared the games’ opening.

“This activity aims to strengthen and uplift the brethren in our district, giving them joy while promoting physical fitness through sports,” he explained during an interview. “The brethren were eager to be united in the games after area competitions and continuous training preparing them for this event.”

Players competed in basketball (Buklod, KADIWA, and Binhi), volleyball (men and women), and badminton (singles [men and women], doubles [men and women], and mixed doubles) for Buklod, KADIWA, and Binhi with Children’s Worship Service (CWS).

“I saw unity, friendship, and respect among the athletes and officials,” observed Erika Recaña, district KADIWA officer and among the organizers. “The players showed teamwork and sportsmanship by helping one another, accepting wins and losses with respect, and finding joy in joining the Unity Games.”

Outstanding players received medals during the awarding ceremony. Area 1A won basketball in Buklod and Binhi/CWS categories. The area’s badminton players clinched the championship in Buklod singles men, doubles women, and mix doubles; KADIWA singles women and mixed doubles; Binhi/CWS singles men. Area 2 landed first place in volleyball men. Area 3 took the victories for KADIWA badminton doubles and basketball as well as volleyball women. For the rest of the badminton categories, Area 4B won Buklod (singles women) and KADIWA (singles men); Area 5, Binhi/CWS doubles women and mixed doubles; and Area 6, Binhi/CWS doubles men and singles women.

Oliver Nual, a Buklod basketball player from the Salet Congregation, said, “Beyond winning, whether in victory or defeat, what’s important is to be one with the Church Administration’s call to support the Church’s activities.” — With assistance from Norwin Syd Mirasol