FBC opens IMCO Cup with pomp & style
Parade, birthdays & music mark opening ceremony
KUWAIT CITY, Dec 1: The Filipino Badminton Committee opened the IMCO Cup, 33rd FBC Badminton tournament on Friday at the Kuwait Disabled Sports Club in Hawally with pomp and style. The opening ceremony hosted by Heidi San Juan kicked off with the parade of the participants in their various uniforms as they walked and grooved with their antics.
FBC President Felix Besanez welcomed all the participants and the guests to the IMCO Cup as he wished everyone the best of luck in the tournament. Spotted during the opening ceremony were FBC Founding Chairman Dr Chie Umandap, FBC Execom Mariel Besanez, Blimpie Sandwiches Operations Manager Rodrigo Estonilo and IMCO HR Officer Susan Reyes.
FBC’s 33rd Tourney IMCO Cup is supported by IMCO Engineering and Construction, SMDC Properties Division 2 Kuwait, and Blimpie Sub Sandwiches.
During the programme, Besanez also paid tribute to all the FBC members celebrating their birthdays in November as everyone sang a birthday song for them.
Some of the FBC members presented intermission numbers that included the “Dashing Divalicious” IMCO ladies namely Elma Falguera and Monaliza Magliba who rendered a dance number to the tune of Rihanna’s “Only Girl.”
Music aficionados were also treated to a musical delight with Khaled Himmat’s saxophone rendition of George Benson’s “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You.” His performance captivated the hearts of the audience.
During the programme, Umandap announced the establishment of the FBC Chapter in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “The FBC family is now growing aside from the FBC Chapter in the Philippines, we have just established an FBC chapter in Saudi Arabia espousing on FBC’s advocacy of we play, we care and we share,” stated Umandap.
The FBC Riyadh Chapter will be under the supervision of FBC Vice Chairman for International Affairs, Felix Besanez and led by FBC Riyadh chapter President Nasser Hulleza and Vice President Dr. Zahara Opay Lumbang.
Meanwhile, the GCC group led by balladeer Corly Villadiego with his lovely angels singing back-up elicited thunderous applause as he sang some Christmas songs.
The brief programme was followed by the Oath of Sportsmanship led by VP-Technical Eric Reyes and Shuttlecock ceremony. Winners were announced for the Best in Uniform and Best in Sportsmanship namely: Team Event: Smashers Reborn (Pio, Olive, Jean and Marlon); Best in Uniform - Doubles Class C&D: Michelle Aldana and Elith Salenga; Best in Showmanship - Team Event: Wafakels (Ariel, Raymond, Lezlie and Khaled) and Best in Showmanship - Doubles Class C & D: Hasan Khan and Verginia Laureta Mangulamas.