Host cites highest pointers in the 2009 Palarong Pambansa in Leyte

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
May 4, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla paid tribute to the individual highest pointers in the 2009 Palarong Pambansa by giving them medals during the Awarding Ceremonies and Paalam Night on May 3, Sunday, at the Leyte Sports Development Center.

Together with DepEd USec Vilma Labrador and DepEd USec Ramon Bacani, Governor Petilla awarded the athletes who are the biggest contributors to their respective teams’ total number of points.

The young athletes got the highest points in their respective events while several of them broke the old records in their respective events.

The highest pointer in athletics elementary boys is athlete Jamil Nor of ARMM. He excelled in the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash and long jump. His coach is Mr. Jonathan Castaneda.

The highest pointer in athletics elementary girls was awarded to Erme Rose Gamao of Western Visayas or Region 6. Her events are 100 meter dash, 4x100 meter relay and 4x400 meter relay. The coach is Aniceto B. Feranco, Jr.

Highest pointer in athletics secondary boys was garnered by Mervin Guarte, a sprinter for the 800 meters run and 5,000 meters run of MIMAROPA or Region 4-B. His coach is Mr. Alfred Bogona.

Another lass from Western Visayas, Viena Mae Banebane was awarded as the highest pointer in athletics secondary girls. Her events are 100 meter hurdles, 200 meter dash, 4x100 meter relay and 4x400 meter relay. Her coach is Mr. Jose Beldad Jr. and Mr. Norberto Villanueva.

Awarded for individual highest pointer in Swimming elementary boys, was Rafael Sta. Maria of NCR for contributing 33 points to his team in 50 meter Butterfly, 100 meter Butterfly, 100 meter Freestyle, and 200 meter individual medley swimming events.

CALABARZON’s Ma. Areza Lipat was the highest pointer in Swimming by contributing 24 points to her team through her events: 50 meter butterfly, 100 meter butterfly, 100 meter freestyle and 200 meter Individual Medley.

For secondary boys, the individual highest pointer in swimming is Johansen Aguilar of NCR who garnered 21 points in 100 meter backstroke, 200 meter backstroke, 100 meter butterfly and 200 meter individual medley.

For secondary girls, the individual highest pointer is Delia Angela Cordera of Region 4-A who had a total point of 24 in 50 meter butterfly, 100 meter butterfly, 100 meter free style and 200 meter individual medley.

Young as they are, these athletes made history in the Palaro 2009 in Leyte and have found their niche under the sun in their respective events.

9 new records set at Palarong Pambansa 2009 in Leyte

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
May 4, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Nine new records, 1 in athletics and 8 in swimming, were set at the Palarong Pambansa 2009 in Leyte.

Two athletes broke the 800 meter run record of 1:57.0 which was set in 1997 by Southern Tagalog sprinter Reneboy Tanauan. Region 4-A runner Salvador Guarin Jr. and Region 4-B runner Mervin Guarte clocked a new record of 1:55.69 and 1:56.31, respectively.

Four new records have been set in the Swimming event elementary boys division of the Palarong Pambansa 2009. A new record was set in the 200 meter freestyle when Omar Philip Dacera of Cotabato Region timed in 2:09.33 on April 29, 2009 breaking the old record 2:11.0 made by Gian Daniel Berino in 2007.

CALABARZON’s Christen Mercado set a new record of 30.93 in 50 meter backstroke on May 1, 2009 in Leyte, crushing the old record of 31.19 made by Banjo Borja in 2005.

One more new record of 4:17.68 was set in the 400 meter freestyle relay by the Cotabato Region swimmers Raphael Facturan,12; Fritz Delle Anos 12; Vincent Ian Cruz, 12; and Omar Philip Dacera, 12, thus, erasing the old record  of 4:18.

Still in the boys elementary division, Juan Carlo Miguel Reyes, Jose Paolo Macasu, Alberto Batongbakal and Rafael Sta. Maria, the NCR swimmers in the 200 meter freestyle relay set a new record of 1:55.35 shattering the old record 1:56.08 made by Central Visayas in 2008.

In the secondary boys division, two records in swimming were broken. Johanssen Aguilar of NCR made a new record of 1:00.79 in the 100 meter backstroke; while in the 400 meter medley relay, a new Palaro record of 4:10.66 was set by the NCR swimming team composed of Johanssen Aguilar, Sean Paul Tan, Gabriel Castelo and Gian Carlo Berino, breaking the old record of 4:11.31 set by NCR in 2005.

For the secondary girls swimming event, the old records in 100 meter butterfly and 400 meter relay were broken. CALABARZON’s Delia Angela Cordero set a new record in the 100 meter butterfly with a time of 1:06:00 shattering the old Palaro record of 1:07.25 set by Lynette Ang in 1998.

Sports Commission assures life after Palaro for record-breakers

By Bong Pedalino (PIA Southern Leyte)
May 3, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Aside from bringing home honor, prestige, glory and a name for their local government units and school divisions, athletes who did well in the present Palarong Pambansa are assured of a follow-through proper training to further their skills in more rigid competitions in the future.

They can also avail of scholarship grants for the deserving ones as an added incentive.

This assurance was announced by Rev. Fr. Vicente Uy, the Commissioner and Executive Director of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

“The PSC will get the big ones, mabigyan sila ng training, lalo na sa mga record-breakers, particularly in swimming and athletics.  The PSC will provide the proper follow-up,” Commissioner Uy told local media in a chance interview when he surveyed the entire oval at the Leyte Sports Development Center (LSDC) here, accompanied by Dr. Lucresio Calo, former Executive Director of the PSC.

The sports intervention extended by the PSC was meant for the individual athlete to be included in the national training pool, said Commissioner Uy, adding that there’s a standing arrangement with the Department of Education (DepEd) that every after Palaro athletes who excelled are referred to the PSC for more training.

Other potential talents are being scouted and taken in by some national sports association (NSA), Commissioner Uy also said.

Some NSA agents have been reportedly around to look for prized wards in the current Palaro here, it was learned.

Aside from players in swimming and athletics, former PSC Executive Director Calo added boxing wherein record-breakers may be given a chance to be developed further by the PSC.

So far in this Palaro, Omar Philip Dacera, a 12-year old swimmer from Region 12, broke the existing record for swimming twice, the first was in the preliminary heats wherein he broke the existing Palaro record, and second in the finals when he himself broke his own record earlier.

Asked for any specific example of a Palaro-breed athlete who achieved high performance in the favored sporting event, Commissioner Uy cited the case of sprinter Lydia De Vega, dubbed the sprint queen of Asia during her prime years.

NCR beats Davao for gold in basketball, emerges champion for three years in a row

By Bong Pedalino (PIA Southern Leyte)
May 3, 2009

TANAUAN, Leyte  –  The powerhouse combination employed by basketball players, secondary boys, from the National Capital Region (NCR) proved much better than the three-point outside shooting fired by Region 11 Davao players, to win in this year’s Palaro games here yesterday, 86 against 78 as the final score.

But contributing to the NCR’s victory was a string of wrong pass and miscues the Davao players had difficulty reigning in, which was converted into critical points by the NCR in every turn.

The jam-packed crowd at the Tanauan Civic Center where the championship games was held was dominated by shouts of “NCR, NCR, NCR” obviously coming from the region’s supporters, while small cheers of “Davao, Davao, Davao” from pro-Davao groups were drowned.

NCR pointers led the way from the start, ending the first quarter at 22 against 18, even as going towards the end of the second quarter the Davao boys managed to tie the figures at 40 all.

The second quarter, however, ended with 47-40 score in favor of NCR.   That was the first and last tie for the game at 40-all, with the Region 11 guys unable to overtake the lead, ending the third quarter at 65-63, the nearest difference in every quarter’s score.

The final quarter should have been an opportunity for Davao to rally, but the NCR warriors kept the power and the pace, ending the game with a final tally of 86-78.

Among the top scorers for the NCR were number 9, Elorde; number 5, Tampus; number 8, Fernandez; number 11, Capacio; and number 12, Khobantin, the team’s captain ball who suffered a leg cram in the initial minutes of the game but recovered quickly to play again.

Leading hitters from Region 11 were number 8, Malanday; number 5, Abatayo; number 6, Delfinado; number 16, Celda, number 9, Ombican, and number 14, Maning.

Davao’s Maning was named best three-point shooter of the game, for shooting 7 out of ten attempts from the rainbow line, while Manila’s Tampus was named Most Valuable Player (MVP).

This was the third time the nation’s capital grabbed the basketball championship crown in every Palaro games since 2007.

Tanauan Mayor Roque Tiu handed out the awards during the awarding ceremony immediately right after the basketball game.

In an interview, Mayor Tiu said he was grateful his town was chosen as the prime venue for this year’s Palaro basketball game.

Nortehanon golden medalist is also class salutatorian, offers victory to parents

By Ninfa B. Quirante (PIA Samar)
May 2, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Angelica Getalado, the 12 year old golden medalist from EVRAA is also the class salutatorian.

In an interview with PIA Samar, right after the awarding ceremony of the high jump event, the girl shyly admitted she also ranked top second in the 40-member elementary graduating class 2008-2009 of Baranagay Mapno Elementary School, Palapag, Northern Samar.

This was confirmed by her auntie who chaperoned the pretty athlete from Northern Samar.

Getalado made her jump on Thursday afternoon with a record of 4.86 meters. She outshined the bet from Western Visayas.

She said she has texted her mother, Delia, a vendor and father, Uldarico, a farmer and they are very glad that she has brought honor to her school, town, province and to the region.

The girl revealed that before she left for Tacloban, Governor Daza promised to give P10,000 to any gold winner coming from Northern Samar.

So far, it is only she who has done such from the 45-pax team coming from Gov. Daza’s turf.

When asked what she will do with the pot money, she smiled sweetly and said, “Ihahatag ko kan Nanay!” (Trans: I will give it to Mother).

She said she started training when she was in Grade lV and that she never expected to win the gold in the biggest sporting event that has taken place in Tacloban City for the last 25 years.

Her coach who hails from Tacloban City said the girl trained for only six weeks prior to the Palarong Pambansa 2009 event.

The biggest gathering of national athlete is ending tomorrow, Sunday where the NCR is lording over the many sports events.

Davao region delegates raring to see majestic San Juanico Bridge

By Ninfa B. Quirante (PIA Samar)
May 2, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Davao region delegates numbering to some 581 are raring to see the majestic San Juanico Bridge that connect Leyte province (where the Palarong Pambansa 2009 is being hosted) to Samar, the country’s third biggest island.

According to the net the San Juanico Bridge is 2.16 kilometers long – which still holds the record as the longest bridge in the Philippines.

The bridge connects Tacloban City on the Leyte side and the town of Sta. Rita on the Samar side. It crosses the San Juanico Strait, reportedly the world’s narrowest since it’s only two kilometers wide at its most narrow point.

Constructed in 1973 during the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, the bridge is supported by 43 spans that rise 41 meters above the sea.

In an interview with Dr. Corazon Agustin, Athletic Manager of the region billeted at the Kapangian Elementary School, the amiable lady was asked what particular tourist destination the athletes would like to see, she said they wish to see San Juanico Bridge, but because they are still busy collecting medals and winning events, it will be done in the last day, Agustin beamed.

Presently, the lady said that they are generally gaining victories in the sports competition that they had entered.

Agustin said that they are trying to defend their record in the last Palaro in boxing and volleyball.

She added that their athletes are inspired because the school boards in the region are giving cash incentives to their athletes and are awarded nightly at the Kapangian Elementary School where the Catbalogan City Division (in Samar) attends to some of their needs.

Some 12 Local Chief Executives (LCEs) in Davao Region also showed support by attending the Opening Ceremonies graced by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on April 28, 2009.

The same leaders, she said vowed to give cash incentives for every ‘win’.

The lady bared that as of the time of interview, they had collected some five (5) gold medals.

The 581-strong delegation traveled for 24 hours from Davao City by on board eleven buses on April 25, 2009.

Mattress, screened doors spell one difference of Palarong Pambansa ‘09

By Alice Nicart (PIA Eastern Samar)
May 2, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Department of Education 08 Regional Director, Sol Matugas proudly pronounced that a better sleeping condition for 2009 Palarong Pambasa athletes makes a difference.

She said this during the Press Conference with the local media shortly before the games began.

As if to express gratitude for the full support given to DepEd by the Provincial Government of Leyte, through Governor Jerico Petilla, Matugas emphasized that even the windows of the different quarters of each regional delegation were screened aside from the mattresses each athlete was provided

“We are very thankful for this kind of support we are getting and the athletes are bringing home these foams”, Dir. Matugas said.

In an interview with ARMM Delegation at the SPED Center, Pearl Shiela Mae Luis, a 12-year old Lawn Tennis player from Cotabato showed this writer the foam she was sleeping on.  True enough, joy showed in her face at the good news that she will bring home the mattress because it will serve her as a reminder of her experience in Tacloban City, Region 8.

“This is my first time to travel to play. Even if I have not won a medal, the experience is incomparable,” Luis said, “and now that I will have a mattress to bring home, the more that I will have another reason to be happy,’ the young athlete proclaimed.

District Supervisor Carmelita Dacut and Mrs. Cecilia Libres were spotted by this writer roamed the entire ARMM quarters.  Asked why they have to do it, the two educators said that they are checking for some needs of the members of the delegation.

12 year-old boy breaks record in 200-meter freestyle twice in 2009 Palarong Pambansa

By Rodrigo S. Victoria (PIA Biliran)
May 2, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  This is unprecedented in the history of the Palarong Pambansa when a national record was broken twice in a day.

That happened when Omar Philip Dacera, 12 year-old boy from Region 12 broke the record of the 200-meter freestyle (elementary division) set by Gian Daniel Berino of the National Capital Region (NCR) in the 2007 Palarong Pambansa held in Koronadal, South Cotabato with a time of 2:11.00.

Dacera set a time of 2:10.34 in the preliminaries of the 200m freestyle Wednesday morning (April 29) at the Olympic size swimming pool inside the Leyte Sports and Development Center (LSDC) which is 26 hundreths of a second faster set by the swimmer from NCR.

Later in that day when the finals of the swimming competition started at around 3:30 in the afternoon, the record set by Dacera in the preliminaries held in the morning was broke again by Dacera with a time of 2:09.33.

His record set in the finals is faster by 1 second and 01 hundreths of a second compared to his personal best made in the morning.

The swimmers who qualified in the finals of the 200-meter freestyle were Dexter John Lacuna (Region 3) - 2:23.77, Alberto Batungbakal (NCR) - 2:20.70, Jethro Roberts Chua (Region 10) - 2:19.01, Dunn Clarke Vinluan (NCR) - 2:14.54, Marc Artemius Paderon (Region 1) - 2:19.03, Vince Paolo Perez (Region 5) - 2:23.19 and Jeremias Armonia (Region 4-A) - 2:25.00.

In the finals of the 200-meter freestyle, Dunn Clarke Vinluan of NCR landed second place with a time of 2:13.99 and Marc Artemius Paderon of Region 1 came in third place with a time of 2:17.17.

Meanwhile, in the final ranking of the swimming competition after the 12 final events, the women’s team of Calabarzon was ranked number 1 with 52 points followed by NCR with 49 points and Western Visayas in third with 13.5 points.

Cotabato Region lad breaks own record, gets big support from dad

By Ninfa B. Quirante (PIA Samar)
May 1, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Omar Philip Dacera, a 12 year old lad from Gen. Santos City (Region 12) broke his very own record as he coveted the gold medal in the final swimming match of 200m free style in the 2009 Palarong Pambansa being held in this city.

As announced at the poolside, Omar established a new record in the 200m freestyle when he established a new record of 2:10.44 Thursday morning.

In the afternoon, during the final round, Omar broke his own record to 2:9.33.

In the media center at the Leyte Sports Development Center in the heart of Tacloban City, Omar was swarmed by the local media rearing for an interview for his exemplary performance.

This swimming champion impressed the media covering the big event because of his ability to answer glibly questions posed by the media. Even his dad said, “nagugulat nga ako” Dad Bong jested.

His dad together with coach Libertine Salvadico also shared the limelight from the good looking lad who will be a high school freshman come June.

Omar, 12 said his dad, Bong is his greatest supporter and trainer.

His father Bong told the media that Omar has been training since aged six. He revealed further that Omar is deprived of the usual treats like soda, junk food and fatty food to instill discipline in the lad which Omar shyly confirmed.

Omar, it was learned trains for two hours a day and even more during non school days. He comes from a family of swimmer where Lawin, another athlete and winner in this 2009 sports event is a cousin.

Like any other youth, his free time is spent in computer games and even in playing dart.

His dad came in belatedly from Gen. Santos City where the great boxer Manny Pacquiao also hails.

Bong told PIA that they were staying in a relative’s abode in Tacloban City and that he came to personally supervise and give moral support to his champion son.

The lad, it was known will also be swimming in Singapore in the next future.

Leyte stages Subiran Regatta for Palaro 2009 visitors and guests

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
May 1, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  In connection with the ongoing Palarong Pambansa 2009, the provincial government of Leyte staged a colorful Subiran Regatta competition on April 29, 2009, at the Family Park along Magsaysay Boulevard.

Tanauan Mayor Roque A. Tiu who is the chairman of the Water Sports Committee of the Palarong Pambansa 2009 said that Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla agreed to the holding of the Subiran Regatta in order to give the Palaro athletes and guests, the opportunity to have a glimpse of Leyte’s rich cultural heritage.

Mayor Tiu also cited former Governor and congresswoman, now PAGCOR Vice-President Remedios L. Petilla for always initiating activities that would bolster the tourism industry and enhance the culture of the Leyteños.

For her part, Hon. Petilla who is the chairman of the socio-economic-cultural committee of the Palaro, thanked the boatmen without whose support, the Subiran Regatta will not become an institution. She also cited the help of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard.

About 34 boatmen from Carigara, Leyte; San Jose, Tacloban; and Basey, Samar showed their prowess in sailing without any engine or oars, only the sails and the wind.

An added feature to the just concluded Subiran Regatta is the sail painting contest where municipalities in Leyte sponsored the painting of the sails depicting that which is unique to the respective areas.

Adjudged as first prize winner for the sail-painting contest was Domingo Flandez, who was the artist for the Baybay City sail. Coming in as second is Johnray Mabalog who painted the Abuyog sail while Romulo Ramirez was the third placer painting the Santa Fe sail. The fourth prize was awarded to Donaldo Abrasaldo who painted the Javier sail.

The judges for the sail-painting competition were Mr. Crispin Asensi and Mr. Ernie Ybañez, two of the leading artists in Leyte.

Meanwhile, after sailing for more than two hours, the fastest boatman Mr. Rodrigo Ariarte, arrived at the Finish Line. Following closely was Mateo Arcoseba, the second placer; and Crispo Sumalinog, third place. All the first three winners are from Carigara, Leyte.

Cash awards of P15 thousand; P10 thousand; and P5 thousand and trophies were awarded to the first three winners by Hon. Remedios Petilla and Mayor Roque Tiu.

The next seven placers received P1 thousand each while the rest were given P500 each.

As in the past Subiran Regattas, the judges were Col. Eustaquio Nicolas, Mr. Fritz Muñoz, and Mr. Isagani Granali.

Special swimmers wow Palaro crowd

By Bong Pedalino (PIA Southern Leyte)
May 1, 2009

LSDC, Tacloban City  –  They are not your kind of swimming players, but they can swim just the same.

And they can attract the attention of the audience, too.

At the swimming pool here, eleven kids competed for a special swimming event that was intentionally integrated into the regular heats.

Eight of the players came from the Calabarzon region, two from Central Visayas, and one from Northern Visayas region, competing in the 50-meters freestyle event and one event in butterfly style.

Three of the players, all from Calabarzon, were orthopedic kids, one of them an amputee, and on cue they strode on the water for the 50-meters free-style swim, labeled as event 4A, boys, resting as they liked but slowly pacing forward as the excited crowd prodded them to go on.

At the finish line, Ariston Anselmo Unico, 12, an amputee who was late and obviously had difficulty keeping up, emerged the winner at two minutes, 25.75 seconds.  Compatriot Leonardo Tamilan, 12, followed at second place with two minutes, 32.23 seconds, and Mark Joseph Canaveras, 12, came in third, clocking at two minutes, 50.62 seconds.

The other eight players were considered in the technical term mentally-challenged, and they competed in pairs for the 50-meter, free-style swim.  For event 4E, boys, Rodelio Gaviola, 12, from Central Visayas, won over Jon Dale Abutin, 12, from Calabarzon.

The Central Visayas region native finished the race at 42.66 seconds, beating the Region IV-A athlete who clocked 54.76 seconds.

In event 4F, girls, Queency Moberg, 12, from Central Visayas, won at 59.73 seconds over Recca Christine Pabia, 12, from Northern Mindanao, with finish time at one minute, 22.35 seconds.

For event 4G, boys, Ray Jhan Madlansacay, 17, from Calabarzon, defeated his compatriot, Willie Samuel Balderama, 17, at 42.46 seconds as against one minute, 10.83 seconds.

At event 4H, girls, Sarah Librella, 17, from Calabarzon, triumphed over teammate Aileen Laroza, 17, at 47.13 seconds against one minute, 38.10 seconds.

For the 50-meter butterfly style, Queency Moberg had no competition, swimming all alone, and finishing at one minute, 34.49 seconds.

These results were taken from officiating officials duly signed by Richard Luna, the Tournament Manager.

Region IX gives P20T incentives to gold medal winners

By Rodrigo S. Victoria (PIA Biliran)
May 1, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  In order to encourage the athletes to do their best in any sport events in the 2009 Palarong Pambansa, Dr. Eugenio Penales, General Athletic Manager of Region IX revealed that every athlete in their delegation who will get a gold medal will be given a cash incentive in the amount of P20,000.

This was the pronouncement made by Dr. Penales in an interview with PIA before the start of the opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa 2009 on Tuesday.

However, Penales did not reveal how much amount they will give to the silver and bronze medal winners.

He said that the giving of cash incentive seems to be an effective way of encouraging athletes to do their best as he divulged that in the first day (April 27) of the annual national sports competition, they won 19 out of the 26 games they have participated in the preliminaries.

“This may be the best way to improve the region’s standing compared to last year’s Palarong Pambansa held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan” Penales added.

Region IX or the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA) ranked 14th in the over-all standing in last year’s Palarong Pambansa in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

He informed that what added to the poor standing of Region IX in last year’s Palarong Pambansa was their late arrival of about four days because they took the boat as their means of transportation in going to Palawan which caused the delay of their trip.

Penales also said that their teams on volleyball and football in the secondary division and basketball in the elementary division have bigger chances of winning in this year’s national sports event.

He hopes that their delegation will land in a respectable finish among the 17 participating regions in the country when the 2009 Palarong Pambansa ends on May 3.

Region 12 youth breaks Palaro record, other athletes gather medals fast

By Ninfa B. Quirante (PIA Samar)
April 30, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Omar Philip Dacerra of Region 12 broke the swimming record in the Palaro in the 200 meters free style Wednesday in Tacloban City in the 2009 Palarong Pambansa. The sixth grader from Notre Dame of Gen San recorded a 2.10.34 replacing the record of NCR lad of 2.11 done in Palawan last year.

The delegation of Region 12 Cotabato Regional Athletic Association (CRAA) in their blue and yellow striped uniform is inching towards gaining the most number of wins and recognition in the different competitions being held for 2009 Palarong Pambansa.

Published in their Palaro Bulletin the first ever recognition was their well applauded ‘saludo’ done during the opening at the Leyte Sports Development Center. Region 12 points to their DepEd ARD Dr. Allan Farnazo as the leader and so called ‘cheerleader’.

The website also added that that the region has garnered 42 points in Arnis and Athletic events as of Tuesday’s standing.

Another outstanding athlete, Domingo Cabradilla, an 18 year old lad from the Tuna Capital of the country, General Santos City got on silver medal in long jump earning him some 5 points.

John Albart Mantua, another tuna boy captured the gold medal in shot put for secondary boys.

Athletes John Rey Miguel, Jerome Magna and Nomer Buenavente were so impressive in arnis that earned them 30 points placing second to Western Visayas that bagged 42 points.

DepEd Director Xll Luz Almeda vowed during the solidarity meeting to give cash incentives to medalist-athletes.

Meanwhile in the recently concluded Binibini at Ginoong Palaro held at the Leyte National High School, the bet of Region 12 Christine Jade Jerusalem Baguios was adjudged second runner up along with their male bet Marvin Val Amoroso also adjudged as second runner up in the Ginoong Palaro.

Baguios is a student of Banga National High School, South Cotabato. She is also an archery player for four consecutive years. She was reportedly applauded when she gracefully balanced the pot on her winsome head.

Amoroso impressed the judges with his eloquence, which the Region 12 publication attributed to his being a street parliamentarian in their DOST class.

He was also given then recognition with the Best in Regional Costume award as he showed off his outfit in a combination of Tiboli, B’laan and Maguindanao outfit.

Region 12 has also been recognized for being the only group that produces daily bulletins for recording their winnings.

As of April 28, the region got a gold for secondary boys arnis individual doble baston, silver for individual solo baston, silver for synchronized solo baston, and another gold for synchronized doble baston.

As for athletics, the delegation got a silver in Long Jump, Secondary Boys-Finals.

As for Dancesport (although not included in the point system) they got gold in Cha cha, Rumba and Jive while they garnered two bronze for samba and two-dance category and a silver for three dance category.

Leyteña comes home to witness the action at the Palarong Pambansa 2009

By Jonnie H. Buenaventura (PIA 8)
April 30, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The 2009 Palarong Pambansa in Leyte is one of a kind event that every Leyteño should not miss for history will be written and remembered that every athlete who compete in this momentous event will be challenged around the world for their exemplary performance when they represent the country to compete in the international arena.

"We had come to Leyte to see exciting games and to witness how the real action and drama is done and felt where athletes is competing to win the medals in an actual performance," said Mrs. Reyna White.

Mrs. White, a Leytena who is married to an American businessman, is in Leyte upon the invitation of her sister, to witness the the 2009 Palarong Pambansa, an event that is being held in Leyte after 25 years.

Seeing the actual games is thrilling and exciting," Mrs. White said. It is very much different than watching it on the television, she added.

Talking to Mrs. White during the opening of the Palarong Pambansa 2009, she said that this "is my first time to witness a Palaro." She added that this is the first time to know that the Buyugan Festival in Leyte garnered the first price at the recently-held Aliwan Festival in Manila and also champion of the Sinulog Festivan in Cebu.

It is a treat to actually see the Buyugan performance at the Opening of the Palaro, Mrs. White said. It added color to the festive mood of the Palaro opening, she said.

To see the President of the Republic, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Opening Program make the Palaro a double treat, Mrs. White exclaimed.

"I am touched by the President's message, especially when she challenged every Filipino to work together as one people and one nation, in solving the global financial crisis," Mrs. White intimated.

Mrs. White totally agrees with Pres. Arroyo in her call to give importance to building character, confidence, preparation and teamwork in the athletes' quest for medals and awards.

Truly, the Palaro athletes should be treated with high degree of respect for they are the chosen people that will lead our country to glory.  Indeed, we should not set them apart but let them feel that they are our hope for better Philippines, Mrs. White quipped.

Palaro athletes are future Olympians – Gov. Petilla

By Bong Pedalino (PIA Southern Leyte)
April 30, 2009

LSDC, Tacloban City  –  Leyte Gov. Jericho “Icot” Petilla on Tuesday branded as the Olympic players in the future the thousands of elementary and high school boys and girls now seeing action for the Palarong Pambansa held in this sports arena in the heart of the city.

Speaking during the grand opening for this year’s most coveted sports tourney, Gov. Petilla called on the participants, clad in bright and shocking color uniforms, to “give their all and play fair and square,” saying that the athletes participating in the week-long sports hostilities will be the breeding source for Olympic players in the future.

But aside from inspiring the individual players coming from the seventeen administrative regions of the country to be at their best, Petilla gave a fresh perspective in the holding of the Palaro games.

“Palaro is a unifying activity that will solidify local government units for sports promotion and development of the country,” Petilla said, even as he stressed that peace among Filipino can also be enhanced with active participation in the games.

It is in this context, the young Leyte province executive said, that this year’s Palarong Pambansa theme – Bridging Unity, Peace and Progress through Sports – came into being, in close coordination and partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) in the various levels.

He said that with this year’s sportsfest some socio-cultural activities have been incorporated to underscore the rich heritage in culture and the arts from the host province of Leyte and the entire Region 8.

Ilocos Region hopes to perk up its ranking in the 2009 Palarong Pambansa in Leyte

By Jonnie H. Buenaventura (PIA 8)
April 30, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY – Region 1 or Ilocos Region is hopeful that its national standing in the Palarong Pambansa will improve from rank ten to rank nine, in Leyte, despite the meager budget obtained through fund raising to finance the expenses for the 600-man delegation.

This is the statement made by Mr. Bartolome Teneza, athletic manager and Assistant Chief Elementary Education Division, of DepEd Ilocos region.

Mr. Teneza disclosed that the Region I delegation is confident that the athletes in volleyball boys-elementary and lawn tennis-elementary and high school category will bring in gold during the 2009 Palarong Pambansa because they are well trained for this competition.

Mr. Teneza, who is also the Regional Chair of the Task Force on School Sports, evaluated Leyte’s sports facilities during the pre-bidding in the bid of Leyte to host the Palarong Pambansa, and he concluded that the Leyte Sports Development Center (Grandstand) meets the required standards for sports competition. All it needed was to modify several dimensions.

Mr. Teneza opined that the reason why “until now we do not have any gold during Olympics is because we do not have a continuing program to support the athletics during training. They are only recognized when they already made records in the international competition thru self-sufficiency.”

To realize Mr. Teneza is appealing to the education department and congress to come-up a law that will entails financial support program that will motivate athletes to give their best in the sports competition without worry.

Ilocos Region is billetled at the Palo II Central School and San Joaquin National High School in San Joaquin, Palo, Leyte, manned by the Leyte Division and Northern Samar Division of the Department of Education who take charge of all the needs of the contingents.