BATANG PINOY 2013 VISAYAS LEG OPENS IN MAASIN CITY
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 24 Sep 2013
Some 1,200 athletes joined the opening ceremony of the Batang Pinoy Visayas Qualifying Leg of the National Youth Games in Maasin City yesterday. More than 3,000 delegates including officials graced the parade that started at the Anatalio Gaviola Plaza and marched around the poblacion main streets.
Several school bands added gaiety to the parade and people lined-up the streets to cheer the participants. The venue of the opening ceremony which is the Maasin City Gym was a full house and were filled to the rafters.
Jose Luis "Jolly" Gomez, PSC Commissioner in charge of the Batang Pinoy, gave the keynote speech. He emphasized the significance of the grassroots program of the PSC which is quite different from that of the Palarong Pambansa.
"The Batang Pinoy is also open to out-of-school-youth. We have national winners in the Batang Pinoy who pursued their studies through the Alternative Learning System of the DepEd," said Gomez.
Thirty five LGUs from barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces sent athletes and officials. "This is a well-participated Batang Pinoy," said Atty. Jay Alano, the project director of the Batang Pinoy. She and her staff were the workhorse of the games. Other delegates are still expected to arrive today.
On the side of the city, it was the Maasin City Sports Council and the DepEd Maasin City Division who assisted the PSC in all the preparations. The whole Maasin City Council was in full force during the opening ceremony and the Mayor's Welcome Dinner.
The participating LGUs are Aklan, Bacolod City, Brgy Kalanggaman of Leyte, Bato of Leyte, Baybay City, Brgy. Iniguihan of Tomas Oppus, Brgy. Sambag 2 of Cebu City, Cadiz City, Catbalogan City, Cebu City, Hilongos of Leyte, Kalibo, LESSK, Lezo of Aklan, LSA of Leyte, Mandaue City, Matalom, Carmen of Cebu, Consolacion of Cebu, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Ormoc City, Aklan, Antique, Bohol, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Southern Leyte, San Fernando of Cebu, Subangdaku of Mandaue, Tacloban City, Tagbilaran City, Talisay City, and host Maasin City.
The Philippine Olympic Committee is represented by Romeo Magat. During the solidarity meeting of all officials, he explained the role of the POC. "The POC coordinates with the PSC in the Batang Pinoy program. We work hand in hand in searching talents to be trained for international competition such as the Southeast Asian Games, the Asian Games and the Olympics," said Magat.
Governor Roger Mercado, who headed the strong Southern Leyte delegation, gave the welcome message in behalf of the province while this writer welcomed the delegates in behalf of the city.
The entrance of the torch and lighting of the urn was the highlight of the ceremony. Yours truly carried the torch and lighted the urn in a very colorful and exciting display of fireworks which wowed the audience and the visitors.
The Ajonay Festival dancers of the Maasin City College gave a very awesome show to the delight of the crowd. The hearing-impaired pupils of the Maasin Special Education Center gave a doxology and the special rendition of the national anthem, provincial and city hymns.
Tobacco and cigarette smoking is strictly prohibited in all playing venues, billeting quarters, and all public places and public utility vehicles in the first-ever smoke-free Batang Pinoy. "Sports and healthy lifestyle must go together," my words during the opening. "Maasin City is a Hall of Fame Red Orchids Awardee of the Bloomberg Foundation, the WHO and the DOH."
Photo: Mayor Maloney Samaco carrying the Batang Pinoy torch during the opening.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
By Ralph Rimpell, Wed, 17 Dec 2025Donaire ready for Tsutsumi
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS CONNOR MITCHELL GETS READY FOR HIS PRO DEBUT
Tue, 16 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
By Eric Armit, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Sumalinog, Castanol rule Senior, PWD fun run
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
Tue, 16 Dec 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
Mon, 15 Dec 2025