Itogon Invitational Cross Country MTB Challenge

The 1^st SUFA Mountain Bike Challenge was an activity initiated by the Silliman University Faculty Association (SUFA)-the sole collective bargaining labor union of all teachers, guidance counselors, and librarians of Silliman University. The MTB challenge was part of the massive fund-raising campaign of the SUFA to raise funds for the Ephraim Bejar Memorial Scholarship Fund. It is worth noting that it was under the leadership of the late Ephraim Bejar as SUFA president that the SUFA and the Administration of Silliman University signed the first Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The scholarship fund supports the full tuition and other school fees of poor but deserving students who wish to earn a degree from Silliman University. Currently, the scholarship fund, since its establishment, has one (1) scholar who, incidentally is due to graduate this March 2011.

The MTB Challenge was well attended by 134 riders from Negros Oriental, Cebu, Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, and Dipolog City. Prof. Jan Antoni A. Credo, the race organizer and Vice President of SUFA opined that there would have been more riders who  would have joined the race had the race not coincided with a major MTB race held in Cebu on the same date. Credo further added that considering that this is the first time SUFA organized such an activity, the turn-out of riders was already a major gauge for achievement and success. Members of the Dumaguete Mountain Bikers (DUMB) co-sponsored the event with SUFA and managed the race course design and officiating.

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