FOR the first time, the Provincial Meet otherwise known as the 2024 Palarong Panlalawigan opened on Tuesday, January 23 outside the Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center in Cagayan de Oro City, its supposed regular venue since time immemorial.
“This is history in the making,” declared Balingasag town mayor Alexis S. Quina as the multifarious meet leading to Misamis Oriental’s contention in the forthcoming regional meet shifted to the Rubberized Oval of Balingasag Central School with much fanfare for its so-called baptism of fire.
Describing the Provincial Meet’s latest venue as a “world-class facility,” Quina went on to thank Rep. Yevgeny Vincente ‘Bambi’ Emano for initiating the project when he was still a governor.
A former tri-athlete himself, the ageless Quina also acknowledged Governor Peter ‘Sr Pedro’ M. Unabia for his full support that the province’s biggest sporting meet for student-athletes be held in the booming municipality of Balingasag.
The mayor reminded the athletes to keep on playing and competing because “successful and happy people for tomorrow are those who actively get involved in sports.”
Marching bands from the different municipal schools with their good-looking band majorettes and instrumental performers in tow provided great entertainment during the afternoon parade, plus the intermission number by the select Balingasag North District Bagani Dancers, the performance of Galaw Pilipinas by select Balingasag Central District teachers and the crowd-stirring introduction of Miss Provincial Meet’s official candidates.
Long jumper Marc Angelo Cabiluna of Villanueva National High School, a consistent double-gold performer in the Batang Pinoy National Championships, did the honor of reciting the Athlete’s Oath of Amateurism.
Carrying the theme: Championing Excellence, Diligence, and Integrity Through Sports, the province’s own Palaro meet is slated until January 26.
Provincial Board member Gerardo ‘Boboy’ Sabal III, in representing Gov. Unabia, said that sports is a great equalizer he commended Mayor Quina for encouraging the young athletes to make sports not just an entertainment but a way of life.
“Rest assured that the Provincial Capitol will always rally behind any meaningful sports development program in the locality,” said the last-termer legislator Sabal, who authored the province’s comprehensive sports development program now underway for its full implementation.
For his part, Misamis Oriental School Division Supt Edilberto L. Oplenaria told the athletes that there’s no such thing as losing when it comes to sports competition under the lookout of the Department of Education.
“We can only win by learning something through our sports experience. While studying we keep on playing and learning valuable lessons in life as a diligent athlete,” Oplenaria said.
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