Pres. Aquino opens Palarong Pambansa 2012

Lingayen- - - “Ang Palarong Pambansa ang pinakamalaking entablado kung saan naipapakita ng bawat atletang Pilipino ang kanilang kagalingan sa pampalakasan.”

This was said by President Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III in his speech in the opening ceremonies of Palarong Pambansa 2012, May 7, at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) here.

The President commended the province headed by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. for hosting for the second time (the first in 1995) the country’s biggest sporting event for student athletes.

Citing Palaro as the best venue where the future Filipino champions can hone their sports ability and skill to later on penetrate the international scene. “Walang ipinanganak na kampeon. Makukuha ito sa disiplina at puspusang pagsasanay at ito ang ibinibigay ng paligsahang ito,” the President said as he added that Palarong Pambansa has produced a lot of Filipino champions in different fields of sports like Lydia de Vega, Elma Muros, Eric Buhain, and Danny Ildefonso.

Gov. Espino thanked the President for coming to Pangasinan for the opening rites of the Palaro even as he said that the NRSCC and other sports venues in Dagupan and San Carlos City were built 17 years ago in preparation for the province’s hosting of the event in 1995 under the stewardship of then President Fidel V. Ramos, a true-blooded Pangasinense, who instructed him (then the PNP Provincial Director) to lead the Palaro task force.

“Pangasinan supported the candidacy of President Aquino in 2010 and the province will continue supporting him in all his future undertakings,” said Gov. Espino as he added that the provincial government has set its sight in establishing a continuous program on sports to complement the national government’s sports policy thru Sports Academy.

Meanwhile, Pres. Aquino pointed out that the country’s sports roadmap focuses on the promotion of sports in the grassroots level particularly in boxing, swimming, athletics, taekwondo and billiards. This special sports program, he said, will commence this month thru the Philippine National Games’ try-out games among the grassroots level with Dumaguete City as initial site.

Special sports program for persons with disabilities and among inmates were also launched by the national government with substantial budget of more than P200 million for the said purpose.

The Palarong Pambansa 2012, held from May 6 until May 12, is participated in by some 10,000 delegates composed of athletes, coaches and officials coming from 17 regions in the country.

Pres. Aquino led the lighting of the torch with PBA Superstar Danny Ildefonso, a Pangasinense, later carrying and passing it over to 17 athletes who represented their respected regions. Region 1 athlete leader took charge in lighting the urn of peace and friendship being the host region.

Before the opening program, all delegations paraded in the oval in their colorful uniforms as they carried their respective banner.

 The University of Luzon Drum and Bugle Corps and Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation DBC provided entertainment to thousands of spectators along with the various school dancers who displayed their dancing skills that featured the different Pangasinan festivals.

Joining the President among the list of special guests include Former Pres. Ramos, Phil. Olympic Commission Pres. Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, TESDA Secretary General Joel Villanueva, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo, Laguna Gov. Jeorge “ER”  Ejercito, Former Congresswoman Riza Hontiveros, Pangasinan district representatives, and some local mayors.

Games have started May 6 and regular games will resume tomorrow, May 8.