DAVAO CITY, April 29, 2019 – The Department of Education (DepEd), with the City Government of Davao, opened the 62nd Palarong Pambansa at the UP Sports Complex in UP Mindanao-Mintal Campus.
DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones welcomed thousands of student-athletes, coaches, regional, division and technical officials, and enthusiasts who trooped to Davao City for the week-long national sports competition. She also recognized the city government’s remarkable hosting, and the constant support that the Department receives from its stakeholders, including the President.
“The Department of Education gratefully acknowledges the help, support, and inspiration given to us by a number of institutions and one very important personality. First, we would like to acknowledge the consistent support of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who has never been absent in all of the opening ceremonies of Palarong Pambansa,” the Education chief stated.
Shaping world-class talents through sports
President Duterte announced his appreciation for the opportunity given to his home city to host Palaro for the first time and to showcase the different infrastructure and facilities that would help to enable the student-athletes to perform well.
In keeping with this year’s theme, “Shaping the Future through Sports,” the President lauded Palaro as “an effective avenue to instill among the youth essential characteristics for nation-building─such as discipline, teamwork, and perseverance.”
In a video message, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reminded the student-athletes of the importance of discipline and sportsmanship, and expressed her gratitude to the Department for the opportunity of hosting the annual sporting event.
She also assured a safe and organized conduct of the biggest national sports program for student-athletes, made possible by the combined hard work of the local government unit and DepEd.
Let the games begin
Craig Andre Gimongala, one of Davao City’s outstanding athletes in archery, led the ceremonial lighting of the torch and the oath of sportsmanship and amateurism for the student-athletes.
In a consistent show of support and inspiration for the young players, the sports icons and representatives who earlier spent an entire day interacting with the student-athletes also graced the opening ceremonies. Among them were: Richard Gialogo (arnis); Elma Muros-Posadas (athletics); Janella Mae Frayna (chess); Reyland Capella (gymnastics); Czarina Mae Arevalo (tennis); Lerma Elmira Balauitan (track and field); Rubilen Amit (billiards); Jean Pierre Sabido (taekwondo); Richard Gonzales (table tennis); Jairulla Jaitulla (swimming); Donald “Dondon” Hontiveros (basketball); Paolo Lim Tancontian (judo); Delia Acuña (softball); Arnold Sarabia (baseball); Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco (boxing); Divine Wally (wushu); Gemma Silverio (wrestling), Simeon Moralla (sepak takraw); Bernard Abellana (badminton), Ronald Pereña (pencak silat), and James Joseph Younghusband (football).
Joining the Secretary of Education were DepEd Undersecretary and Palarong Pambansa Secretary-General Revsee Escobedo; Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William Ramirez; Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol; DepEd Undersecretaries Alain Del Pascua, Annalyn Sevilla, and Jesus Mateo; DepEd Assistant Secretaries G.H. Ambat, Alma Ruby Torio, Salvador Malana, Rhoan Orebia, Ramon Abcede; DepEd Bureau of Learner Support Services Director Rizalino Jose Rosales; DepEd Region XI Director Alberto Escobarte and Assistant Director Evelyn Fetalvero; Davao City Schools Division Superintendent Ma. Ines Asuncion; and Davao City Administrator Zuleika Lopez.
The week-long Palaro is set to conclude on May 4. Its general information, technical rules, regulations, and guidelines are stipulated in DepEd Memorandum No. 45 s. 2019, which can be downloaded at http://www.deped.gov.ph/2019/04/05/april-5-2019-dm-045-s-2019-2019-palarong-pambansa-general-information-technical-rules-regulations-and-guidelines-of-sports/.
For medal tally and daily games results, visit DepEd’s official Facebook page (Department of Education-Philippines). News and feature stories on different sports events written by campus journalists are also available at http://www.deped.gov.ph/resources/downloads/palarong-pambansa-2019/.
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