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“It’s always wonderful to see all the brethren come together for our annual Unity Games. We’re very close, but we don’t often get to see each other because of the physical distance between our congregations and group worship services (GWS),” said Gian Francesco Ilumin, a choir member from Dublin.
In the recently concluded INC Unity Games of the Ecclesiastical District of Ireland, held on August 2, 2025, the Local Congregation of Dublin was declared the overall champion.
This year, the annual sports event took place at Gormanston Park in County Meath, Republic of Ireland, and brought together six local congregations and five GWS from across the district.
The players wore the same representative colors as last year: white for Portlaoise and Kilkenny GWS; red for Belfast and the Isle of Man Extension; blue for Dublin South; yellow for Dublin, Egilsstadir GWS, and Reykjavik GWS (Iceland); and green for Limerick City, Galway, and Cork GWS.
The day began with a parade of colors, followed by opening remarks from Brother Pepito Y. Acuesta, the district supervising minister. All participants then recited the oath of sportsmanship.
Leading the event were the officers of the Christian Family Organizations (CFO), who organized matches across a wide range of sports, including basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, chess, darts, and football.
Reactions
“Sports are perfect for forming friendships and building close connections because they bring people together in a shared space, allowing our interests and hobbies to align,” shared King Godric Bernard Fariñas from the Dublin congregation, who played volleyball. “We work together toward a goal, and at the same time, we’re having a lot of fun. Despite the competitive nature of the games, we remain friends and family—as members of the Church.”
“The Unity Games are very important because, through physical activities, we can grow closer and more connected with our fellow brothers and sisters in the faith. You can see the excitement and strong bond on the players’ faces as they work together and give their best in these events,” said Brother Alex Turzynski, district CFO overseer.
Winners
The day concluded with the awarding of trophies and medals, led by Brother Turzynski. The following were declared as winners:
Basketball – Belfast
Football – Dublin South
Men’s Volleyball – Belfast
Women’s Volleyball – Belfast
Men’s Badminton
Buklod: John Cyrus Abaya (Dublin)
Kadiwa: Leon Paul Bautista (Limerick)
Binhi: Dweinn Adam Tayag (Portlaoise)
Women’s Badminton
Buklod: Marites Dela Torre (Dublin)
Kadiwa: Sherlyn Bala (Belfast)
Binhi: Alyannah Martinez (Portlaoise)
Mixed Doubles Badminton
Buklod: Kurt and Kerilane Agdaca (Dublin)
Kadiwa: Carl Mariano/Erica Dela Torre (Dublin)
Binhi: Leighton Bucsit/Schanel Martinez (Portlaoise)
Men’s Darts
Buklod: Alfred Martinez (Portlaoise)
Men’s Table Tennis
Buklod: Mark Alvin Tañagras (Dublin)
Kadiwa: Jan Arsky Arino (Limerick)
Binhi: Paolo Mathusiak (Belfast)
Women’s Table Tennis
Buklod: Cyril Cervesa (Belfast)
Kadiwa: JC Santos (Dublin)
Binhi: Alyannah Martinez (Portlaoise)
Mixed Table Tennis
Buklod: Mark Alvin Tañagras/Lira Maricar Tañagras (Dublin)
Kadiwa: Ronald De Guzman/ JC Santos (Dublin)
Men’s Chess
Buklod: Daniel Labrador (Belfast)
Kadiwa: Franz Lacuesta (Ballymena)
Binhi: Michael Angelo Cruz (Belfast)
CWS: Nathan Gomito (Belfast)
Women’s Chess
Buklod: Manilyn Tan (Ballymena)
Kadiwa: Marijoy Acoba (Dublin South)
CWS: Ivy Ocampo (Dublin South)
— With reports from district multimedia
