West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) recently organized a "Sining Ipo Sungka Tournament" as part of its week-long celebration of the World Water Day Philippines (WWD.PH). Held at the La Mesa Nature Reserve, the inter-agency tournament served as part of the kick-off program for the WWD.PH celebration in the country.
Annie Almuete of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority emerged as this year’s Sungka Grandmaster after besting 31 other players from various government agencies. The sungka pieces used in the tournament were a product of the Dumagat tribes from the Ipo Watershed. Maynilad, under its Sining Ipo program, trained the Dumagats to create driftwood-craft pieces as a watershed-friendly alternative livelihood.
Present to award the “Sining Ipo Sungka Tournament” winners were National Water Resources Board director Dr. Sevillo David and River Basin Control Office executive director Antonio Daño.
Other Maynilad-led activities held in line with this year’s WWD.PH celebration are the Buhay KYUT/Daloy Dunong Water Education Drive in Sta. Maria, Bulacan (March 16), mangrove planting in Cavite and Malabon (March 21 and 24, respectively), and the World Water Day Philippines Awards (March 22).
PHOTO CAPTION:
National Mapping and Resource Information Authority’s Annie Almuete (right, seated) emerged as this year’s Sining Ipo Sungka Grandmaster. The Maynilad-led tournament served as a kick-off activity for the World Water Day Philippines celebration.