CAGAYAN de Oro City — More than 1,000 lawyers from across the Philippines are expected to gather in Cagayan de Oro City for the first Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) National Games on Oct. 8 to 11.
The four-day event, hosted by the IBP Misamis Oriental Chapter, will bring lawyers together for competitions in basketball, volleyball, football, golf, bowling, chess, tennis, badminton and pickleball.
The opening ceremony is set at the Limketkai Atrium under the theme, “Igniting the Flame of Justice.” Games will be held at various sports venues across the city.
IBP Misamis Oriental Chapter President Atty. Gregorio Miguel Pallugna said the event will give lawyers a chance to step away from the pressure of handling cases and their daily legal work.
He said the games will also remind lawyers that they belong to one professional community.
“Ma remember nato nga isa ra ni ka komunidad, dili ni siya away permi, kom pagtinabangay,” Pallugna said.
Many lawyers, he added, have long wanted to play sports but rarely get the opportunity because of their demanding schedules.
“Daghan kaayo lawyers nga ganahan mo dula wala lay opportunity kay busy kaayo,” he said.
For IBP-Misamis Oriental Board Member Atty. Robert Maestre, hosting the national games is also an opportunity to showcase Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental as capable hosts of major national events.
“Not only nga ma promote ang IBP but also ma promote ang province as well nga andam na diay ang atong dakbayan ug lalawigan nga makaphigaon ani nga activity,” Maestre said.
Beyond the competitions, organizers expect the games to give lawyers from different parts of the country a chance to reconnect, build friendships and strengthen camaraderie outside the courtroom.
For Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental, the event will also bring a national gathering of the legal community to the region while highlighting sportsmanship, fellowship and professional unity.
