Maasin City, Southern Leyte – In a strong show of support for Tacloban City’s young athletes, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez and Liga ng mga Barangay President Raymund Romualdez paid separate visits to the Tacloban Red Stallions during the ongoing 2nd leg of the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) 2025 in Maasin City.

Mayor Alfred Romualdez made a surprise visit to the team’s billeting school at Ichon Elementary School last week, February 27, 2025, just before the start of the regional sporting event. His presence provided a significant morale boost for the young athletes who are representing Tacloban City in various sports competitions. The mayor commended their dedication and perseverance while reminding them of the values of teamwork and sportsmanship. 

Following the mayor’s visit, Liga president Raymund Romualdez also took the time to personally check on the Tacloban delegation. His visit reinforced the city’s continuous support for its athletes to ensure that they are well taken care of and have a comfortable stay in Maasin City throughout the competition.

Prior to the commencement of this year’s Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA), the City Government provided support and subsidiary assistance to student-athletes of Tacloban. Last February 18, a total of 307 athletes received two pairs of athletic shoes from the local government. Aside from providing new shoes, the local government has also allowed the Astrodome to be used as a training venue to help athletes prepare for the competition. 

DEPED Tacloban City Division Sports Coordinator Manolito Bolpa expressed his gratitude to the city government for their unwavering support. He stressed that initiatives like these encourage more athletes to represent Tacloban, not just in EVRAA but also in the national sports contests.

The 2nd leg of EVRAA 2025 officially commenced on February 27, 2025, featuring a grand parade at 1:00 PM and an opening program at the Sunken Garden, Capitol Grounds in Southern Leyte Capitol. The event brings together student-athletes from across Eastern Visayas, fostering sportsmanship and regional unity through competition.

Meantime, the third leg of the regional sports competition will be hosted by Tacloban from March 5 to March 9.