65th Palarong Pambansa opening ceremony at Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium. –PSC PHoTO
LAOAG CITY – The 65th Palarong Pambansa kicked off Saturday with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as guest of honor during the opening ceremony at Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium in this llocos Norte capital.
The President was introduced by Education Secretary Sonny Angara while Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Manotoc, Marcos’ nephew, delivered the welcome message.
READ: Palarong Pambansa: Marcos vows support for student-athletes
After the President’s speech, the solar-powered cauldron was ceremonially lit by Ilocano standouts, including Jemmuelle James Espiritu (archery), Mark Anthony Domingo ((athletics), Jesson Ramil Cid (decathlon), Roger Tapia (para-athletics), Eric Ang (trap shooting), and members of the Ilocos Norte junior baseball and softball teams.
A total of 15,675 delegates from the 18 regions, National Academy of Sports and Philippine Overseas Schools are joining the annual competition, which has returned to the home province of the President after 57 years.
The annual meet for grade school and secondary student-athletes features 24 regular sports, including athletics, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, taekwondo and swimming. Weightlifting will be introduced as a demonstration sport, while kickboxing, girls’ football and girls’ futsal will be held as exhibition events.
A special category for athletes with disabilities also highlights events in para-athletics, para-swimming, bocce and goalball, reinforcing the competition’s commitment to inclusivity.
Exhibition games will be held Sunday, the competition proper on May 26 to 30 and the closing ceremony on May 31.
The tournament organized by the Department of Education carries the theme “Nagkakaisang Kapuluan” (United Archipelago).
The opening ceremony began at 5 p.m. with the “Parada ng mga Atleta” (Parade of Athletes) showcasing regional delegations, led by vibrant drum and lyre corps and spirited student cheer squads along Rizal Street and Sirib Mile.
The program proper featured the “Palakasan (Sports): Tales of Filipino Strength,” featuring performances inspired by Ilocano hero Lam-ang; the 1807 Basi Revolt, which stemmed from the Spanish colonial government’s monopoly over the production and sale of the traditional Ilokano sugarcane wine; and the legacy of Ilocano Olympian in swimming Teofilo Yldefonso, paying tribute to Ilocos Norte’s rich cultural roots and its enduring values of courage, resilience and bayanihan (cooperation).
Yldefonso, born in Piddig town, was the country’s first Olympic medalist. He bagged bronze in the 1928 Amsterdam and 1932 Los Angeles Games, both in the 200-meter backstroke.
Prodigy Gerick Jhon Flores, 11, Most Stolen Bases awardee in the 11th BFA U12 Asian Baseball Championship held in Japan in November 2024, led the Oath of Athletes.
Zamboanga City weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who won the country’s first gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, led the Oath of Coaches and Technical Officials. She is the technical director of weightlifting.
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Singer Angeline Quinto performed “Ako ay Pilipino” (I am a Filipino) which is about nationalism and Filipino identity. (PNA)
