NCR Palaro kicks off in Parañaque today

MANILA, Philippines - Future stars from Metro Manila’s elementary and high schools swing into action as the NCR Palaro, hosted by Parañaque City, opens today with a grand parade ending at the Aseana City grounds.

Close to 4,000 athletes and officials from NCR’s 16 cities and one town are participating in the week-long competition serving as NCR qualifying event for the Palarong Pambansa set May 3-9 in Tagum, Davao del Norte.

Swimmer Seth Isaac Martin, double gold medalist in last year’s Palaro held in Laguna, will lead the oath of sportsmanship for athletes while Dr. Luz Almeda, Department of Education NCR head, will declare the event open during the rites starting at 4 p.m.

“The City of Parañaque welcomes our athletes and officials to another exciting edition of the NCR Palaro,” said Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez. “We are fortunate to host this event as Parañaque celebrates its 17th anniversary of cityhood.”

Parañaque gained its cityhood on Feb. 13, 1988. Mayor Olivarez, who is also the tennis association president, said hosting the school meet is among the highlights of the second “Sunduan Festival”, which is part of week-long activities marking the milestone.

“We will unveil a memorial statue of the late Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. and inaugurate the new legislative-judicial building on Thursday,” said the mayor, adding that President Aquino would grace both events.

Events on tap for high school  are arnis, athletics, baseball, basketball, boxing, chess, football, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball and dance sports.

Elementary athletes will  be competing in arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, chess, football, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo and volleyball, while billiards, girls futsal (indoor football), wushu and wrestling are demonstration sports.

While some of the ball games begin today, the centerpiece events of track and field and swimming will be under way tomorrow at the Marikina Sports Park oval and Rizal Memorial Sports Complex pool, respectively.

Mayor Olivarez said they picked the site overlooking the picturesque Manila Bay as the venue for the NCR opening ceremonies since the area, dubbed  as the “Entertainment City,” is being developed to become a premier tourist, sports, recreation and leisure destination in the near future.