ILOILO CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) is looking forward to a more competitive 2018 Palarong Pambansa with various regional athletic associations boosting the capability of their respective delegations.
DepEd Assistant Secretary for Procurement Service and Project Management Service Revsee A. Escobedo said majority of the regional athletic associations have already commenced their sports meet.
Escobedo was the keynote speaker during the opening of the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) meet Sunday afternoon.
He said that the National Capital Region (NCR) is “fortifying” its swimming, athletics and indoor games; the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is strengthening its combat sports; Calabarzon is “harnessing its talents” on gymnastics, swimming and athletics, while other regions have also improved.
In his address, he expressed belief that “Western Visayas will be the team to beat in this year’s Palaro”.
“I believe that the athletes of WVRAA will shine brighter and emerge as champion in many sports disciplines in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur,” he said.
Western Visayas ranked third after NCR and Calabarzon during the 2017 edition of Palarong Pambansa.
The region’s participation is expected to be stronger with the presence of Negros Occidental, which ranked fourth in the 2017 national sports meet. Negros Occidental used to play for the Negros Island Region, which was dissolved last year.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. also echoed the opinion of Escobedo on the strong participation of Western Visayas.
In welcoming the delegations, he said this year’s regional sports meet is “very historic” because of the return of Negros Occidental.
“Western Visayas, while strong, will remain strong. But with the return of Negros Occidental, Western Visayas will perform higher, stronger, faster. And we are now assured of a stronger participation in the Palarong Pambansa,” Defensor said.
He reminded athletes that in this regional meet, they “will play not to win but we will play to perform”.
“After this meet, we will train because in the Palaro, we will play to win and for the honor,” he added.
Escobedo, however, reminded participants that the “true character of a champion is not with the medals or trophies that you will receive but the ability to overcome the challenges and most especially, by learning to accept defeat yet never giving up”.
The WVRAA that will culminate on Feb. 23 gathered 3,685 participants, composed of 2,953 athletes, 490 coaches, 79 assistant coaches, and 163 chaperones from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Negros Occidental and the host province of Iloilo.
This regional sports meet was anchored on the theme “Stronger Western Visayas: Synergy for Sports Supremacy”. (With reports from Remie Ellan, Elaine Solano-OJTs/ PNA)
