By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to grace the annual Palarong Pambansa, which unfolds tomorrow in the historic city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur.
Philippine Sports Commission’s Charles Maxey and Ramon Fernandez have confirmed this development, making it the second straight time that the President will be appearing in the opening ceremonies of the weeklong multisport event for elementary and high school athletes.
Last year in Antique, Duterte addressed the importance of the event as it serves an “affirmation of the vital role of the youth in building a sustainable future.”
The youth, Duterte stressed, is a “valuable partner in cultivating a strong society as they demonstrate their skills and talent in the area of sports.”
Gold medals will be contested in 21 regular sports and three demonstration sports, while special games are also lined up for differently-abled student-athletes.
Regular sports are: archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, billiards, boxing, chess, football, futsal, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, wrestling and wushu.
Demo sports are: aero gymnastics, dancesports and pencak silat.
Organizers expect 15,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 17 regions to compete in the event where Vigan is hosting for the third time in history.
The last time the UNESCO World Heritage Site hosted was in 1973.