Stove runners.

Geared up with knives and fire, the university kitchen personnel would alternately run in and take over different stations of the kitchen to platter the nutriment for the athletes. They are not seen on the field but their efforts are felt in the stomach of every player.

The role of the kitchen staff goes beyond just simply cooking and filling an empty stomach. In this year’s Regional State Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (SCUAA) Meet, it is not just the athletes and coaches who took flight in raising the banner of the university, along with them are kitchen staff and personnel who are in charge of the well-being of the frontlines among delegation to ensure that they would intake strength and power for their respective sporting competition.

According to Marichu S. Armada, Food Committee Chairman of the university for SCUAA 2023, their role is as valuable as the players and athletes of the university as they fill in the stomach for them which gives them energy and strength in competing.

“Our service in the kitchen is very important because we are the ones who provide and fill in the stomach of the athlete so they have strength na kailangang-kailangan nila for the entire event. You know, an empty stomach would mean very low energy,” said Armada.

Their services are what the athletes and players would go home to after a long trip of battling to the top for them to recharge and consume food for energy and strength in preparation of another gliding clash. Just like an eagle, they would always land where they find eatables of their interest. It is where the eagles consume what they need, and it is where the kitchen staff would contribute to the university’s winning.

“Marami na tayong panalo because isang kontribusyon doon ay providing foods. Pag walang pagkain, wala silang energy, “Armada expressed.

Although they have not played in the field nor soared to the scorching skies, they still burned themselves down in the heat of stoves and the sweat of hard work. Unseen as they are but they equally played out every day and night to do their roles and duties. After all, their efforts and hard work aim for the same target of reaping victory.

“It is tiring pero nakakalaki ng puso na we were able to serve our athletes. Yung sacrifices naming ay very worthy, kahit mahirap, worthy parin sya,” Armada stated.

The hassles of soaring to the top are not seen only in the EVSU Eagles, there is always a shadow of backliners who primes the athletes’ strength and do the work behind all wins and victories.