Drilon to grace Palaro opening

By Erly C. Garcia

It is not Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but Senate President Franklin Drilon who will grace the opening of Palarong Pambansa 2005 at the Iloilo Sports Complex this Sunday, May 8.

Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada said the president has a prior commitment that is why she could not fly to Iloilo for the opening of the Palaro.

Aside from Drilon some governors, mayors, and congressmen from other regions would attend the opening ceremonies.

Iloilo Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Raymundo Lapating assured a grand opening event that will surely entertain the spectators.

Lapating said the organizers are working on an opening ceremony which can be compared to the opening program of the Olympics.

He said showbiz stars from Manila might join the opening parade. They would then stage a mini concert.

The top three winners in this year's Aliwan Festival in Manila—Pintados de Pasi (grand champion), Sta. Barbara's Kahilwayan (first runner-up), and Tribu Silak of Iloilo National High School (second runner-up) which incidentally all come from Iloilo, will showcase their winning performances.

Other famous festivals in the region like the Masskara Festival of Bacolod, Ati-atihan of Kalibo, and Binirayan of Antique will also be featured in the cultural show.

International balladeer Aris Demavivas of Pototan, Iloilo will sing the Palaro hymn.

Lapating said a fireworks display will cap the opening program.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo provincial government has committed to contribute P3.25 million to the Department of Education (DepEd) to help pay for the services of technical officials in the Palaro.

A press release from the capitol said the provincial government agreed to underwrite the fees of the technical officials to ease the financial burden of the DepEd and ensure the success of the Palaro which comes back to Iloilo after 14 years.

“The Province of Iloilo is just too happy to help the DepEd in putting up the money to defray the costs for the Palaro,” Tupas was quoted as saying.

The report said Tupas learned from Education Secretary Butch Abad that the national organizing committee of the Palaro still faced a P6 million deficit with less than a week to go before the national meet.

On Wednesday, Tupas convened the provincial school board and asked for the allocation of P3.25 million from its surplus in 2004 as the province's assistance to the Palaro organizing committee.

Meanwhile, Iloilo Sports Complex manager Francisco Heler, Jr. assured the security of athletes, coaches, school officials, guests and spectators during the weeklong sports competition.

He said the full force of the barangay police of Brgy. Magsaysay, where the sports complex is located, and the Philippine National Police will guard round-the-clock the surrounding areas in the sports complex and all the other sports venues. (with reports from R. Gumabong)