APO Wins a Trophy in PDA Alay Parada 2013

By Josievitz Tan-Zafra

The Philippine Dental Association (PDA) recently celebrated its 9th National Dental Health Month (NDHM) last Jan. 15 to Feb 27, 2013 with the theme “Ngipin Pangalagaan Sakit Maiiwasan, Bansa’y Matutulungan Tungo sa Kaunlaran”. As a traditional part of this celebration, the Alay Parada 2013 was held last February 3 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Dental students and practitioners from the myriad schools, PDA chapters and affiliates gathered in front of the Cuneta Astrodome at five o’clock that beautiful Sunday morning. Most groups came in uniform shirts representing their schools, groups and affiliations but there were also those who chose to go all out in colorful costumes and floats to describe their chapter/association and further enhance the festiveness of the event.

The route of the parade took the participants on a circuit along the stretch of Roxas Boulevard, beginning from the Astrodome coursing it’s way to the Buendia flyover, then back again all the way to the Edsa Extension flyover, where the final leg of the parade makes a U-turn back to the starting point at the Astrodome. Participants then converged inside the Cuneta Astrodome for the Opening Ceremonies of the NDHM.

This year’s APO delegation was represented by 35 APO members accompanied by 35 family members and friends. 8 Student APO members also joined us that morning. Each APO participant was given the official APO dri-fit shirt and Alay Parada caps. Everyone was treated to breakfast burgers and drinks. Due to this high turnout of participants, APO won a trophy for the Most Number of Delegates for an Affiliate. It’s more fun in APO!