The APJB Blog: June 2012

Last May 26, 2012, the 7^thannual CISV JB Race was held in Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center. Eight teams dressed in their carefully chosen team colors gathered around in the park’s Fishing Village as early as 9 a.m. to get ready for the race, though the race proper did not start until around 10:50 a.m.

While the teams did their morning exercises, filled up on food, and charged up with a few energizers, the Station Masters were busy fixing their stations and reviewing its mechanics. There were ten stations in all, and each station revolved around the theme of sustainable development, the chosen subject matter of the year. The activities of the stations ranged from trivia, puzzle, and logic games, to water transfer relays and giant, life-sized chessboards.

When the Station Masters finished all their preparations and the teams were all pumped up and ready to go, the long awaited “go signal” was finally alarmed and each team rushed out of the race headquarters to get to their first station which was encircled on a map they were given. Just like the past JB Races, after a team completed a station, they would have their race “passport” signed by the Station Masters who could allot a maximum of 20 points. However, some stations gave extra points to teams who could tell a good joke or do a dare, which can be a huge bonus becausein the JB Race, it’s the score that matters, not the speed.

After three hours under the sun, the race finally ended at 1:40 p.m. Everyone then met up at the race headquarters for a hearty lunch, refreshments, and a cheerful chat. The Tuck Shop was open, as always, to sell a few unique CISV merchandise.

Then awarding time came andeach team sat together and crossed their fingers, hoping for the best results. But only one team could be named the JB Race 2012 winner, and that team was none other than Team Jose Andres Lopa.The JB Race wrapped up at 3 p.m. with nothing less than the CISV anthem and a multitude of good memories.

- Beatrice Tinio Ladaw
Philippines