Arriving in Bacolod City from Iloilo City where I started preparations for the Governor's Cup Kiddies' Run, I couldn't help but notice several billboards announcing the SEA Games co-hosted by Bacolod come Novermber. The City of Smiles will be hosting boxing, football, volleyball (indoor and beach) and weightlifting, all choice events guaranteed to draw the spectators. The billboards show photos of my former classmate Rep. Monico Puentevella and another good friend Mayor Bing Leonardia. The billboards coupled with mini-streamers adorned the highway leading to the airport. Mayor Bing also constructed an office, the Bacolod Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (BASOC) in front of the plaza headed by Eric Loretizo and manned by Marty Go and January Dumdumaya. Boxing will be held at the La Salle Coliseum starting November 28 while football will start earlier on November 20 in two venues, the Pagla-um and Pana-ad Sports complexes. Part of the La Salle oval will be turned into a beach front for the beach volleyball while indoor volleyball will be held at West Negros College Gym. Weightlifting will be staged at the posh Bacolod Convention Plaza Hotel. The same cannot be said however with the other Visayas co-host, Cebu City. While preparations for the SEA Games in Bacolod are reaching high temperature fever, Cebu has yet to come up with some visual promotions. While Bacolod got the choice cuts, Cebu will be contented with not so attractive games spectator-wise. For instance several of my friends said who's going to watch Sepak Takraw and Belat.. I mean Pencat Silat. "Wa mi gani kasabot unsa na pagdu-wa". Other games to be hosted by Cebu are Dancesports, Karatedo, Judo and Mountain Bike in Danao City.
Why were the choice events given to Bacolod? Well, there's only one answer, Nyok Puentevella is "malakas" to the administration because of FG Mike Arroyo, an Ilonggo. But in fairness to Nyok, I believe he has done a lot for Negros, not only in sports but also for the city's development. Bing is also sports minded. In fact, the Pagla-um Stadium's track oval will be "rubberized" soon. Nyok has already requested the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for the "discarded rubberized track" which will be replaced in time for the Games. Well, if that's not concern for his district then what is? PHILSOC officials are very impressed with Bacolod's preparations this early. What about Cebu? One critic said, "murag puro press release lang". Let's give Cebu a chance bai. By the way I was also in Bacolod to personally deliver Bing's mustache dye sent by his friend Nonoy Cordova from Las Vegas, Nevada through my sister Chiquit. "IBA NA ANG BUNGOTON".
I was in Iloilo City to start the ball rolling for the Governor's Cup Kiddies' Run which will be staged around the perimeter of SM City Iloilo. We are expecting over 800 kids aged 5 to 13 to join this first ever grassroots developmental run in the City. Governor Niel Tupas has always stressed that the children are our future that's why we have to teach them early (murag kanta na dili ba?). SM City marketing manager Christine Yap is already excited and has also asked me to organize Chess and Billiard tourneys in the mall. She's also keen in bringing Efren "Bata" Reyes as guest. Mahal yata ang appearance fee dili ba Christine?