Palaro blasts off in GenSan today

GENERAL SANTOS City - Government and rebel forces agreed to a ceasefire to allay fears of bloodshed as over 8,000 teenage athletes begin their inaugural clash for sports honors in the Palaro ng Bayan which kicks off today in various venues here and nearby Koronadal and Sarangani.

On the eve of the inaugurals of the nine-day multi-event competition, the remaining teams from 21 cities and 68 provinces as far away as the Ilocos Region were accounted for and ready to do battle in 18 sports disciplines.

President Joseph Estrada will declare the games open, giving weight to the importance of the Palaro ng Bayan program, which he signed into law early last year and finally staged here after three postponements.

His son Jinggoy, who is also the president of the League of Municipalities, and other dignitaries from the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine Sports Commission are also among those gracing the opening rites.

Others in the guest list are Laguna Gov. Joey Lina, president of the League of Provinces, Dagupan City Mayor Al Fernandez, president of the League of Cities, top local government officials and officials of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee. Government forces and MILF rebels agreed to lay down their arms for the duration of the games to prevent another bloody skirmish that has already left more than a hundred dead and many homeless in nearby Maguindanao province.

The main bulk of participants arrived yesterday amidst rumors of plans by MILF rebels to disrupt the games, but the atmosphere became festive when news came out that the government and MILF sides have agreed to a truce to ensure the smooth conduct of the games.

The Palaro torch, carried alternately by runners from the provinces comprising the Socsargen growth area, was received at the steps of the Kapitolyo and kept there overnight for a final journey today to the newly-refurbished Acharon Sports Complex.

World Boxing Council international bantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao, this city's native son, will light the symbolic urn while Mayor Estrada will deliver the inspirational talk.

Based on the official list, Bacolod has the most number of delegates with 680, followed by Nueva Ecija with 244.

The sports events in the calendar are athletics, arnis, badminton, basketball, boxing, gymnastics, judo, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, shooting, swimming, taekwondo, table tennis and volleyball.

Little League baseball, softball and football will get underway starting at 9 a.m. today, hours before the opening rites.