02 July 2014 - The Philippine Consulate General in Manado, in coordination with the Filipino Sports Committee of Manado-Bitung (FSCMB), held the Championship Games and Awarding Ceremony of the Palarong Pilipino IV Friendly Basketball Tournament, on June 28 in the PT. RD. Pasifik International Complex in Bitung City. Philippine Consul General Jose D.R. Burgos spearheaded the games, which were held on the weekends of May and June 2014, as part of the celebrations of the 116^th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.

The awarding ceremony was held after the games, with trophies presented by Vice Consul Jan Sherwin P. Wenceslao and the staff of the Philippine Consulate. The winners of the games are as follows: Champion: PT. Mitra Jaya Samudera; 1^st Runner Up: PT. RD. Pasifik International; 2^nd Runner Up: PCG-MIS; 4^th Place: San Andreas Fishing Industries; 5^th Place: PT. Singa Raja.

More than 100 Filipinos from Manado and Bitung cities as well as the officers and staff of the Consulate General participated in the weekly games that brought together the Filipino community from both cities. The event is also a fundraiser for the benefit of the victims of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in the Philippines and the torrential floods and rains which swept through Manado City on January 14. END