Cabatuan hosts Ist MBCI National Open The first National Mountain Bike Cross Country Racing was hosted by the municipality of Cabatuan on January 20. This Dinagyang 2002 special event was participated in by 87 mountain bikers all over the Philippines. The competition was made possible through the efforts of the Mountain Bike Club of Iloilo (MBCI) headed by Francis Duran as president; Franco Bernas, vice president; and Stephen Chan as race director. The municipal officials who willingly accepted the hosting -of this event was headed by Hon. Ramon C. Yee, municipal mayor. The 16-kilometer race started and ended at Brgy. Gaub. The bikers were made to pass through mountains, plateaus, hills, cliffs, valleys, plains and roads of Brgys. Pamul-ogan, Tupol Este, Tupol Central, Acao, Ito Norte, Tinio-an and Calayo. CNCHS Red Cross Council with Mrs. Haydee Alvariho as adviser helped as first aide volunteers. Together with the members of the'. Rural Health Unit headed by Dr. Linda'.". Jane Yee, they were assigned and distributed to 15 stations covering the racing area from start to finish. The winners in the Open Expert Category were Michael Borja, first; Fermo Escarte, second and Ronnie Manaay, third. In the Senior Sports Category, the winners were Ricky Heberudal, first; Gerard Ampatin, second; and Philamer Ampatin, third. Arvin Delisias, first; Joavanni Nonato, second; Gregorio Camarina, third won in the Veterans category. The winners in the Master category were Charlie Vilagonzalo, first; Joel Lazo, second and Willie Prado, third. In the Beginners Category, Jaypee Las Pihas, first; Rogen Favila, second; Carl Calve, third were the winners. Cyclists pass throiik, hills, ravines and, mountainsides during the 1st National Mountain Bike Cross Country Racing. CNCHSians win honors in contests The tandem Kevin Montoya, 4-A and May Barbosa, 3-A placed second in the "Battle of the Brains contest" during the Is' Regional STEP Skill Competition and Conference held at Iloilo National High School on February 26-28. The same tandem became the champion in the same contest during the Division Level Competition held at Iloilo National High School some time in January. Other winners during the Division Level Skill Competition and Conference were Riza June Maquilado, 2nd place, Extemporaneous Speaking Contest; Harold Continents, 31d place in both Table Setting with Flower Arrangement and Wedding Cake Decoration; and Angielie Jane Tangeres, 3 d place in Creative Hairstyle and Makeup. The coaches and advisers of the student delegates were Armando Villasana, Techno Club; Manuel Lapastora, FFP; and Mary Panergo, FAHP. STEP or Student Technologists and Entrepreneurs of the Philippines is a consolidated organization which pursues the Unification of Future Farmers of the Philippines and the Future Agricultural Homemakers of the Philippine (FFP? FAHP) through DECS order No. 44, s. 2001. The acronym STEP was officially used to designate the organization, its units and members. It is a co-curricular organization under -the supervision of the Department of Education. It is a national organization of, by and for the students in all public and private secondary/elementary schools with supervised technological and entrepreneurial activities. The theme of this year's competition and conference is STEP Forward to High School Performance and Aim High for Life Long Learning. 10 the GLOW april 2002