Palaro games begin todays

DAPITAN CITY, Philippines - The heavy downpour did not stop the athletes from joining the traditional parade kicking off the 2011 Palarong Pambansa yesterday here at the Jose Rizal Memorial State University Sports Complex.

Over 10,000 athletes, coaches and officials danced under the rain during the saludo, with complete attendance of the 17 regions all over the country.

Interestingly, it was raining hard but when it was Central Visayas’ turn to do the saludo while dancing to the Sinulog beat with one of the athletes bringing the image of Sr. Sto. Niño, the rain gradually slowed down.

Department of Education (DepEd)-7 director Recaredo Borgonia was worried that the athletes got wet, advicing all of them to take medicines in order not to be sick as they will still play in their respective games in the multi-sport conclave.

No less than Vice President Jejomar C. Binay graced the opening ceremonies, while Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Bro. Armin A. Luistro formally opened the event.

Palarong Pambansa gold medallists Nelma Insang and Febenlyn Encabo spearheaded the lighting of the urn of friendship and the oath of sportsmanship, respectively.

The opening bash was hosted by Richard Gomez and Sen. Pia Cayetano, who acknowledged the resounding victory of the pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao against Shane Mosley, thus, eliciting a thundering applause from the athletes.

The participants also have something to look forward to in the closing rites as pop princess Sarah Geronimo and the Mocha Girls will render a musical extravaganza.

Meanwhile, Dapitan's newly-constructed JRMSU track oval was finished in time for today's start of athletics competition along with the other sporting disciplines that will be contested in the week-long spectacle. – THE FREEMAN