Organizers promise short but elegant opening

CEBU, Philippines - 'Milo going 50' will be the theme in what is described by the organizers as short, but elegant opening ceremonies of the 5th Milo Little Olympics National Finals this afternoon at the Cebu City Sports Center.

No fireworks will be displayed like in the Queen City of the South's first hosting of this multi-sport event, but host Ricky Ballesteros promised some surprise that 1,600 athletes plus coaches and delegation officials from all over the country should look forward to.

Even without fireworks, Ballesteros said the kick-off bash would still be meaningful and elegant as they present Milo's existence in the country for 50 years.

“We will be going to present Milo for the past 50 years plus the golden years of sports. We will also show Milo's contribution in sports as well as the history of the Milo Little Olympics. We will present it by decades through dances and music,” said Ballesteros.

MLO started way back in 1988 in Manila and was brought to Cebu City for the Visayas region in 1996 then followed by Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao the following year and then lastly in Luzon.

After four regional championships, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and the National Capital Region, Nestle Philippines finally decided to hold a “battle of the champions” in 2009 here.                            

The National MLO action is now on its fifth edition and has since contributed a lot to the grassroots development program in the country.

Aside from the presentation, everyone should also watch out for the lighting of urn featuring Don Bosco Technology Center's skipper Angelo Alforque. He will light the urn by kicking the ball at the centerfield to the urn. He will be assisted by erstwhile national team players Glenn Ramos, Mario Ceniza and Alex  Ballesteros.

Four former MLO beauties will also spice up the affair namely Mutya ng Pilipinas Sharon Angel representing NCR, Miss World Philippines second runner-up Claudine Amman for Luzon, Sinulog Festival Queen April Smith for Mindanao and Frances Ayn Abella for host Visayas. (FREEMAN)