PALARONG PAMBANSA 2014
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 06 May 2014
STA. CRUZ , LAGUNA - The biggest sporting event of the country, the 57th edition of the Palarong Pambansa, opened Monday in this capital of Laguna province with 12,000 athletes and officials from 17 regions.
Gov. Jeorge ER Ejercito welcomed the huge multitude of delegates at the Laguna Sports Complex here. Manila Mayor and former President Joseph Estrada was the guest of honor. He cited the importance of sports in our life and hoping the Palaro would be instrumental in the nation's quest for the first Olympic gold medal.
The Department of Education led by Sec. Armin Luistro spearheaded the department''s role in supporting the sporting event. TESDA secretary Joel Villanueva also graced the colorful opening rites. Also present were PSC chairman Ritchie Garcia and PSC Commissioner Jolly Ramirez.
Another honored guest, Congressman Manny Pacquiao failed to show up due to family problems. Winter Olympian figure skater Michael Martinez, national swimmer actor Enchong Dee and college basketball stars Jeron and Jeric Teng stirred the participants when they carried the torch and lighted the urn amidst the cheers of the appreciative crowd.
Our Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Asociation (EVRAA) delegation, where most of the athletes survived Yolanda, won the sympathy of the audience as they carried banners saying "We survived. Thank you for your help." Region 8 sent a complete delegation inspite of the supertyphoon.
The biggest statue of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal , depicting him as a sportsman-fencer was unveiled at the sports complex.
The Palarong Pambansa is an annual sports spectacle for students. In May 2013, President Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act No. 10588 or Palarong Pambansa Law institutionalizing the said event. According to DepEd this year?s Palaro is the first Palarong Pambansa under the said law.
Photo shows the writer during the Palarong Pambansa opening at the Laguna Sports Complex.
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