National PRISAA

Cebu will once again play host to a major sporting event as the PRISAA or the Private Schools Athletic Association National Collegiate Games open tomorrow at the newly-refurbished Cebu City Sports Center.

Although we won’t see athletes from ‘Imperial Manila’ as the National Capital Region (NCR) begged off from the national event, this does not mean we are not going to witness top-caliber competition in the PRISAA.

While Central Visayas is now deemed as the odds-on favorite, some regions are also expected to figure prominently in the battle for overall honors.

Western Visayas is one of those as well as Southern and Northern Mindanao aside from Southern Luzon.

I was informed that all the events, except basketball, will be open free to the public.

* * *

If I remember right, Cebu also hosted the PRISAA National Meet in 1997. 

It was memorable for many reasons.

Among the volunteers for the media were our students and one of them asked me where the 200-meter jump event was to be held.

I asked her if somebody was going to commit suicide… hehehe…

These multi-sport events do not only allow us to watch various competitions, but is also a good way to learn more about sports and get interested in taking part in them.

After Cebu hosted the Palarong Pambansa in 1994, many became very interested in sports. 

* * *

Ricky Ballesteros, manager of the Cebu City Sports Center, reminded the Cebuanos to help take care of the facility, which recently got a new rubberized track and a few other improvements.

It is our sports center and all of us must do our share to help make it last for many years.

One thing that I observe is that many seem to lack the ability to dispose of their trash properly. Maybe Ricky and the management can put more trash bins in various areas around the facility.

There are also many who insist on smoking inside the sports center. What is very sad is that several government officials are among those who violate this policy, which I believe is covered by a city ordinance.

Let us take care of the sports center by using it properly. 

* * *

MILESTONES: Belated happy birthday greetings to Engr. Willy T. Go of WTG Construction and Sugbu Medical’s Dr. Laurence Lim, who both turned a year older yesterday.

Today’s greetings go to Maggie Ponnteras-Shin and Debbie Bonachita-Stehnicky.

Advance greetings to those celebrating tomorrow like Robin Uy of Mandaue Foam, Elecis Jane Quimpan, Cholly Cabanban, my Tao brother Eric Lacuban, Kent Ong, and Alexis Yap.

Congratulations to my mistah Patrick Villacorte on his recent promotion to the rank of Sr. Supt. of the Philippine National Police.

More power to all of you!