25/09/2026
FEATURE | Beyond Crown, Behind Every Candidate
What does a crown mean when an entire faction is cheering for the person wearing it? Onstage, one candidate stood under the spotlight while, from the crowd, an entire faction waited for every walk, every answer, and every announcement. The candidate may have been the one competing, but the people watching had their own stake in every moment.
The moment unfolded on September 12 during Mr. and Ms. Intramurals 2026 at St. Peter's College of Ormoc, Inc. (SPC–O), where seven factions sent their representatives to compete for the major titles. From the first walk to the final announcement, supporters watched from the crowd, phones raised and names called whenever their representatives stepped forward. The competition was happening onstage, but the reactions from the crowd showed that no candidate was experiencing it alone.
When a Name Is Called
A candidate may be the one under the spotlight, but the crowd was never quiet for long.
Supporters shouted their representatives' names, raised their phones, and watched every turn onstage. A name called from the stage could quickly pull a response from the crowd, especially when it was one of their own. For a few seconds, the attention shifted from the candidate to the people calling their name.
Each candidate also brought its own message to the pageant—from the Flaming Flamingos' emphasis on excellence and learning through sports to the Erudite Eagles’ focus on the SPCian spirit and education. The Cosmic Cardinals highlighted being smart, strong, and purposeful, while the Perky Pelicans pushed youth in action. The Raving Ravens carried courage and resilience, the Hunting Hawks emphasized mind, heart, and spirit, and the Fighting Falcons placed character before the crown.
Those messages also became part of what each candidate carried onto the stage. For the people in the crowd, however, the message was simpler: that was their representative up there.
Six Names Remained
Before the major titles were decided, the candidates picked up minor awards. Erudite Eagles won Female Photogenic while Perky Pelicans took Male Photogenic. Both Perky Pelicans secured Sportswear awards, Raving Ravens earned Male Production Number, and Fighting Falcons received Female Production Number. Cosmic Cardinals won Male National Costume, while Hunting Hawks took Female National Costume.
Then came the Top 3.
Princess Denisse Ralota of Perky Pelicans, Alexa Coraza of Hunting Hawks, and Judith Pical of Fighting Falcons advanced in the female division. In the male division, Johann James Sardan of Raving Ravens, Raymun Catarig of Erudite Eagles, and John Clarence Pollosco of Fighting Falcons remained in contention.
Six candidates remained, and the attention turned from how they performed to what they had to say. For the supporters in the crowd, it was another part of the competition to listen to before the final names were called.
Beyond the Winning Answer
The female finalists were asked, "How will you use your voice to inspire your fellow SPCian beyond Intramurals?" Ralota said she would encourage others to believe in themselves, support one another, and lead with kindness. Coraza shared her desire to inspire fellow SPCians, while Pical encouraged the youth to speak up about social issues and take part in meaningful change.
The male finalists were asked, "What value should every SPCian carry beyond winning?" Sardan answered integrity, emphasizing the importance of doing what is right even when no one is watching. Catarig focused on good character and pointed out that winning is not the only measure of success. Pollosco likewise chose integrity, emphasizing honesty, humility, and respect even without a trophy or recognition.
Only two candidates would take home the major crowns, but the final questions shifted the focus beyond winning. The candidates were no longer speaking only about the competition in front of them, but about what they wanted their names to stand for after it ended.
The Names Called at the End
After the final answers, the crowd grew quieter as everyone waited for the placements. Onstage, the six finalists stood waiting for their names to be called, while their factions watched closely from their seats, ready to celebrate whatever came next.
Fighting Falcons secured both first runner-up spots, with John Clarence Pollosco in the male division and Judith Pical in the female division. Raymun Catarig of Erudite Eagles finished as second runner-up for the men, while Alexa Coraza of Hunting Hawks took second runner-up for the women.
Then came the moment every faction had been waiting for—the announcement of the two names that would take home the crowns.
Johann James Sardan of the Raving Ravens was named Mr. Intramurals 2026, while Princess Denisse Ralota of the Perky Pelicans was crowned Ms. Intramurals 2026.
Cheers broke out from their respective factions as the results were announced. For Sardan and Ralota, their names had finally been called. For the crowd, the reaction came almost immediately after a night of watching, waiting, and cheering for their representatives.
Only two names were called for the major titles, but seven factions had spent the night cheering for their representatives. The crowns went to Sardan and Ralota, but before either name was announced, there were already people in the crowd who had been waiting, watching, and cheering for them.
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[ ✍🏻 Nikka Dela Rosa | The Key]
[ 📷 Timothy Joseph Noval and Trish Julianne Bañez | The Key]
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