The Pana-ad Park and Stadium was filled with fun and excitement yesterday afternoon, as the 2023 Palarong Panlalawigan officially kicked off. This year’s provincial meet theme was “Championing Excellence Through Sports.”
Student-athletes from different district athletic divisions couldn’t help but feel the excitement as the 2023 Palarong Panlalawigan finally opened, after more than two years of challenges and restrictions brought by the global COVID-19 pandemic. And as the whole Province of Negros Occidental slowly eases back to the new normal, sports became a global unifier as local government leaders of various LGUs united and stood together to strengthen the relevance of sports in the province.
The opening ceremony was spearheaded by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Schools Division Superintendent (Division of Negros Occidental) Anthony Liobet, along with Provincial Sports Office head Anthony Carlo Agustin, SGOD/Division Sports officer Romeo Sison Jr.
Mayors of the cities of Bacolod, Albee Benitez; Sipalay, Gina Lizares; Cadiz, Salvador Escalante; La Carlota, Rex Jalando-on; Victorias, Javi Benitez; and Bago, Nicolas Yulo. Along with Toboso Mayor Madonnah M. Jaojoco, and Vice Mayors El Cid Familiaran and Nicholas Jalandoni of Bacolod and Talisay cities, respectively.
Also in attendance were Bacolod City Councilor Jason Villarosa, Victorias City Councilor Derick Palanca, 3rd District Board Members Manuel Frederick Ko and Andrew Gerard Montelibano, 4th District Board Members Jose Benito Alonso and Andrew Martin Torres, 5th District Board Members Anthony Dennis Occeño and Rita Angela Gatuslao, 3rd District Representative Jose Francisco Benitez, 5th District Representative Emilio Bernardino Yulo, and 6th District Representative Mercedes Alvarez.
The opening ceremony showcased a torch and urn lighting and a ceremonial athletic parade composed of the First-Sixth District Athletic Association Delegation, the Bacolod City Athletic Delegation, NOPSSCEA Athletic Delegation, Negros Occidental High School Athletic Delegation, ANOPSSAI Athletic Delegation, and the technical officials. Gov. Bong Lacson gave a keynote message and led the releasing of the doves.
Prior to the commencement of the 2023 Palarong Panlalawigan’s opening program, a short ribbon-cutting and blessing ceremony took place to mark the inauguration of the Pana-ad Track Oval and the tennis courts. The ceremony was led by Gov. Lacson, Agustin, and PDO IV-Head SPCD Engr. Jose Maria Amugod.
ARCHERY TIFF
Meanwhile, the 2023 18th Archery Grassroots Development Program Leg 2 also kicked off yesterday, in collaboration with the World Archery Philippines Inc. (WAP, INC.) and the Abanse Negrense Sports Programs.
Executive Assistant IV to the Office of the Governor and Provincial Sports Office Head Anthony Carlo Agustin led the opening ceremony with a welcome address and a ceremonial shoot.
Meanwhile, Lacson and Agustin also attended the Boxing Tournament, one of the highlights during the 22nd Charter Anniversary and Himaya Festival of the City of Himamaylan on March 29. The activity was a collaboration between Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson and the Abanse Negrense Sports Programs.*
