Gwen: We will nurture SEAG flame

The 23rd Southeast Asian Games flame finally arrived here in the historic island of Cebu as Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia promised "to nurture it in order that the holding of the biennial meet will be of great resounding success especially in Cebu."

Garcia, the first lady governor of Cebu, waxed historic yesterday as she described the arrival of the SEAG flame from Vietnam as similar to the landing of Magellan in the island of Lapu-Lapu.

"But this time, we promised that we will not have a Lapu-Lapu who will slay the flame of the SEA Games," said Garcia, alluding to Filipino hero Lapu-Lapu who killed Magellan in the Battle of Mactan.

"We will take care of the flame because we wanted Cebu to be the beacon of hope for the country," she added.

Gov. Garcia welcomed and received the SEA Games flame when it arrived from Vietnam yesterday noon at the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIAA).

She was joined in the ceremony by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president and Philippine SEAG Organizing Committee (PhilSOC) chief Peping Cojuangco, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Butch Ramirez and commissioner Ritchie Garcia.

Wushu national sports association president Julian Camacho fetched the SEAG flame in Vietnam, the host of the 22nd edition.

From the MCIAA, the flame was carried on a motorcade to Danao City, the host of the SEA Games mountainbike.

A group of Cebu athletes met the flame in barangay Magay, some four kilometers away from Danao City proper and ran it towards the Ramon Durano Memorial Sports Complex where a mammoth crowd was waiting.

Along the route, resident of Danao City warmly welcomed the flame, which was also accompanied by the SEA Games flag and the national colors of all the 11 countries under the Southeast Asian region.

The residents cheered and chanted as the flame and the flags passed by them.

Cojuanco, who joined the motorcade and torch relay, was impressed about the enthusiasm of the people of Danao City.

Also, Fifth District Representative Red Durano, Danao City Mayor Ramonito Durano III and City Councilor Oscar "Boying" Rodriguez lead the RP mountainbike team in meeting the flame at barangay Magay.

Riding their bikes, they escorted the flame all the way to the sports complex where Mayor Durano then received from Cojuangco the SEA Games flame.

Today, the SEA Games flame will travel from Danao City to Mandaue City where it will stay overnight after which tomorrow it will already be the turn of Cebu City to receive the flame.

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and Mayor Tomas Osmeña will be welcoming the torch when it arrives at the Cebu City Hall on Monday.

The torch will then be turned over to the Capitol Provincial Hall then will go straight to Toledo City as it journeys to Bacolod City, another SEAG co-host before it will be passed to Manila in time for the official opening of the 23rd SEAG.

Fearless Forecast

Cojuangco is predicting the Philippines will finally win the overall crown after trying for 22 times, saying the "preparation of the athletes is at its best."

"For 22 times, we have not won the overall championship. This time, we have a very big chance of winning the overall championship," said Cojuanco, explaining that the national athletes have undergone arduous training here and abroad.

The athletes also have better nutrition now and have been given enough supplements for their training, among others.

Cojuanco gave credit to First Gentleman Arroyo through the First Gentleman's Foundation for raising around P160 million for the athletes' training and PSC chairman William "Butch" Ramirez for setting aside a chunk of their budget for the athletes.

To get the overall crown, a minimum of 107 gold medals must be won by the Philippines. A total of 439 golds are at stake in the multi-sporting event.

In the history of the Philippines, the best SEAG finish it had was at second place overall during its 1991. – with Caecent O. No-ot, and Sona Mae V. Povadora