Rains fail to dampen Palarong Pambansa opening
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte led the opening ceremony of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa at the Marikina Sports Center on Monday, July 31, despite the heavy rains that threatened to derail the event.
Opening ceremony of the 63rd Palarong Pambansa at Marikina Sports Center (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
“Hindi napigilan ng malakas na ulan ang Opening Ceremony ng Palarong Pambansa 2023 ngayong hapon dito sa Marikina Sports Center (Heavy rains failed to stop the Opening Ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa 2023 this afternoon here at the Marikina Sports Center),” the Vice President said in a Facebook post.
Photos showed the country’s top two officials as students from all over the country flocked to the sports complex.
The Palarong Pambansa, an annual multi-sports activity for elementary and secondary students from the whole country, was joined this year by 11,200 student-athletes, coaches, technical officials, and committee members from 17 regions.
In a Facebook post by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), it also said that Filipino student-athletes from around the Philippines are scheduled to join different sporting events with the theme, “Batang Malakas, Bansang Matatag (Strong Youth, Strong Country).”
During his speech, Marcos called on the Department of Education (DepEd) and local government units (LGUs) to continue supporting sports development in the country.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) and Vice President Sara Duterte (2nd left) at the opening ceremony of this year's Palarong Pambansa. (PCO photo)
He also assured the student-athletes that the government will continue developing young Filipino athletes and their well-being.
“I urge the Department of Education to keep harnessing the talents and sportsmanship of our student-athletes. Continue to leverage your reach and resources to provide them with the support, training, and opportunities that they thrive on and on which they will succeed,” Marcos said.
Duterte is the concurrent Education chief.
The Chief Executive also noted that sports improve athletes’ strength and agility, as well as build their character and discipline.
“With consistent and diligent efforts, I am confident that they will eventually bring glory to our nation not only in the field of sports, but also in other endeavors that they will choose to pursue,” he added.
Opening ceremony of the 63rd Palarong Pambansa at Marikina Sports Center (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
“Hindi napigilan ng malakas na ulan ang Opening Ceremony ng Palarong Pambansa 2023 ngayong hapon dito sa Marikina Sports Center (Heavy rains failed to stop the Opening Ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa 2023 this afternoon here at the Marikina Sports Center),” the Vice President said in a Facebook post.
Photos showed the country’s top two officials as students from all over the country flocked to the sports complex.
The Palarong Pambansa, an annual multi-sports activity for elementary and secondary students from the whole country, was joined this year by 11,200 student-athletes, coaches, technical officials, and committee members from 17 regions.
In a Facebook post by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), it also said that Filipino student-athletes from around the Philippines are scheduled to join different sporting events with the theme, “Batang Malakas, Bansang Matatag (Strong Youth, Strong Country).”
During his speech, Marcos called on the Department of Education (DepEd) and local government units (LGUs) to continue supporting sports development in the country.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) and Vice President Sara Duterte (2nd left) at the opening ceremony of this year's Palarong Pambansa. (PCO photo)
He also assured the student-athletes that the government will continue developing young Filipino athletes and their well-being.
“I urge the Department of Education to keep harnessing the talents and sportsmanship of our student-athletes. Continue to leverage your reach and resources to provide them with the support, training, and opportunities that they thrive on and on which they will succeed,” Marcos said.
Duterte is the concurrent Education chief.
The Chief Executive also noted that sports improve athletes’ strength and agility, as well as build their character and discipline.
“With consistent and diligent efforts, I am confident that they will eventually bring glory to our nation not only in the field of sports, but also in other endeavors that they will choose to pursue,” he added.