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SM City Marikina with SM Cares Supports the 1st Octavio SA Gonzales Memorial Boccia Tournament for Persons with Cerebral Palsy

by - September 27, 2018


Persons with Cerebral Palsy took part in the first ever Octavio SA Gonzales Memorial Boccia Tournament for Persons with Cerebral Palsy at SM City Marikina in celebration of the 15th Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week which is commemorated every September 15-22 of the year. The event was supported by SM Cares and SM City Marikina. 


We are aware how persons with disabilities like those with Cerebral Palsy faces a lot of challenges. As one of the sectors of our society that is sometimes put aside or look over, it is up to various organizations like SM Cares to increase awareness and understanding of them or mobilize support to promote a broader environment for them.



Last September 21, 2018, SM City Marikina, SM Cares, the City Government of Marikina who has been actively supporting the cause of The Cerebral Palsy Association of the Philippines hold a Boccia tournament that was participated in by sports-minded and athletic teams like the Marikina City Boccia Team among others. It was the first ever Octavio SA Gonzales Memorial Boccia Tournament for Persons with Cerebral Palsy.



For those already in the know, Octavio SA Gonzales used to be the head of the Philippine Association for Citizens with Developmental and Learning Disabilities established by his family. During the tournament, his son Marangal Gonzales officiated the Boccia tournament.

Boccia, a ball sport designed for persons with cerebral palsy is a game of strategy and accuracy. It should be played on a flat, smooth surface, where players must throw or roll six coloured balls each as close as possible to a white target ball, known as the “jack.” The player, pair or team with the most balls near the jack is the winner.




Each team or players is classified according to their level as organized by the rehabilitation doctors from the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine.

I was honored to watch the fist set of the tournament where Charito Manglapuz (Marikina) and Marilou Deniega (Cainta) played against each other. Ms. Daniega who won the set competed in the 2018 ASEAN Paralympic Games held in Thailand.



The whole day tournament ended with the awarding ceremony.


Kudos to SM City Marikina and SM Cares for supporting this cause.

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