Now on its third run, the largest Zumba party in Valenzuela City known as “Mega Zumba: Mag-WESxercise Tayo!” has brought Valenzuelanos up on their feet for an adrenaline-pumping Zumba exercise once again. The local government's annual free dance program headed by Mayoress Tiffany Gatchalian aims to promote wellness in the mind and body through a series of upbeat dance exercises facilitated by professional Zumba instructors.
Mega Zumba 3 offered leveled-up Zumba dance segments this year by having a special guest — actress, model, and Zumba advocate Ina Raymundo — take the stage and lead the fitness dances along with Zumba instructor, John Carlo Rasay. Just before the break of dawn, about 2,500 Valenzuelanos of all ages hailing from different barangays showed up with their colorful outfits, filling up WES Arena with vibrant energy and movement.
Aside from free Zumba and fitness training, the participants also received various giveaways such as weighing scales, tumblers, tote bags, shirts, and towels to commemorate this special event; encouraging them to keep an active lifestyle in the long run.
On the other hand, the new season—Valenzuela Olympics 2025 has officially kicked off to showcase the talents of athletes in the field of sports once again. Retired PBA player and former MVP Asi Taulava, NLEX Road Warriors Power Forward Jake Pascual, along with Valenzuela homegrown athletes Angelica Faye Rosales, Xandres Ragusta, Gedrick Ranses, James Maliwat, Dale Ortega, and King Ahron Diama, led the symbolic lighting of the cauldron, officially rolling down the competition between the athletes from each barangay.
This year’s Valenzuela Olympics features some well-known sports categories from the previous year, along with the addition of new sports disciplines. Among the sports included are basketball, volleyball, billiards, table tennis, chess, darts, badminton, lawn tennis, obstacle sports, the newly included E-sports featuring Mobile Legends Bangbang (MLBB), among others. Representatives from various barangays will compete in these categories.
Surrounded by the enthusiastic young athletes from their respective barangays, this sporting event aims to determine which participating barangay will excel and claim the prestigious crown. In total, 33 barangays from the city have sent their best athletes, who will test their skills, face their rivals, and strive for ultimate victory.
Mayor WES Gatchalian, present in the opening ceremony, reminded everyone of the significant ideologies a Valenzuelano athlete should live by—Dream, Believe, Achieve. Conversely, in his message, he urged everyone to unceasingly hone their talents while utilizing the provided sports facilities of the local government. “Itinayo po ang WES Arena para sa ating mga atleta. Itinayo po ang pasilidad na ito para maging tahanan ng mga pangarap, tahanan ng mga atletang Valenzuelano. Ginagawa po natin taon taon itong Valenzuela Olympics para ipakita ang galing ng ating mga atleta sa bawat barangay,” he said. [The WES Arena was built for our athletes. This facility was built to be a home for dreams, a home for Valenzuelano athletes. We hold the Valenzuela Olympics every year to showcase the talent of our athletes in every barangay]
The local government continually develops initiatives like these that encourage all families in Valenzuela to commit to an active and healthy lifestyle. This is while the city continuously hones the talents of the youth in the field of sports.
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