VIGAN, Ilocos Sur – Due to the scorching heat, some delegates from Western Visayas did not show up at the opening ceremonies for the 61st Palarong Pambansa on Sunday.
Only more than half of the 622-member delegation attended the opening rites at the Quirino Stadium.
A member of the volleyball team’s coaching staff told Panay News their team manager ordered them to ignore the opening event as doing so would expose them to heat.
“Sinabihan kami ng manager namin na huwag nang pumunta dahil mainit sa stadium,” said the staffer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
“Nag-training din kasi noong morning, and may game rin kami agad sa Monday, so dito na lang kami sa [billeting area] at wala rin naman kaming mapapala,” the staffer added.
An athlete of a different sport said they chose not to attend after learning that the temperature was around 31 degrees Celsius.
“Ang init kasi ng panahon kaya sabi ng coach namin huwag na kaming pumunta,” said the player, who also refused to be identified.
In last year’s edition in San Jose, Antique, several athletes passed out because of the heat as they waited for President Rodrigo Duterte, the guest speaker, to arrive.
Duterte spoke for the second time in Palarong Pambansa on Sunday. He lauded the participating student athletes as he said joining Palaro lets them develop their love of country.
“Palarong Pambasa serves as a training ground for future leaders and national builders whose values and principles are founded on perseverance, discipline, teamwork, integrity, and love of country,” he said.
“[The] student athletes’ ability to balance academics and other interests measure their aptitude, skills such as multitasking, time management, decision making,” he added. “I look forward to your more significant contributions to the society in the days to come.”
Sports also helps divert the youth from illegal drugs, criminality and other lawless acts, the President said, as he urged parents to continue supporting their children’s dreams.
“While you devote yourselves in sports, do your best. Excel in your studies too,” Duterte said. “The government remains steadfast in promoting physical education, encouraging sports programs and supporting athletes, especially as they compete in international events.”
“To the parents, there’s no better way to show your love for your children than to help to realize their potential, support them as they discover themselves, and explore limitless possibilities of growth and development,” he added.
Ilonggo Eugene Torre and Negrense boxer Mansueto Velasco carried the flag during the opening rites along with sporting legends Efren “Bata” Reyes, Paeng Nepomuceno, Elma Muros, Hidilyn Diaz, and Gab Moreno.
Former Asian sprint queen Lydia De Vega-Mercado was presented with the Palarong Pambansa Lifetime Achievement Award, which was received by her daughter, volleyball player Stephanie Mercado.
A total of 1,311 medals are at stake in the regular events, with athletics having the most with 198, followed by swimming with 180, arnis with 158 and taekwondo with 152./PN
