GMA to grace Cebu opening rites

President Arroyo is expected to be up in the stands applauding when Cebu, also known as the Queen City of the South, puts on a lavish opening ceremony for the 23rd Southeast Asian Games Nov. 25.

Cebu is just one of three satellite venues for the SEA Games, the others being Bacolod and Subic.

Cebu will host six events in the SEA Games scheduled Nov. 27-Dec. 5. They are sepak takraw, dancesport and pencak silat in Cebu City, judo and karate in Mandaue City and mountainbike in Danao.

Through the Cebu SEA Games Organizing Committee headed by Jonathan Guardo, the Cebuanos have extended their invitation to the President, a big winner in the province during the 2004 elections.

Cebu’s opening ceremony comes a day before Bacolod holds its own program, and two days before Manila, the main hub, officially declares the Games open with a bigger one at the Luneta.

"Cebu is proud to kick off the SEA Games and we are honored to have the presence of the President. We were told that she is definitely coming," said Guardo, who heads the Cebu City Sports Council.

Mandaue City sports chief Cheryl Ouano and Danao City sportsman Boying Rodriguez are working closely with Guardo to ensure the province’s successful hosting of the SEA.

This will be the third time that the country will host the Games after 1981 and 1991. But it will be the first time that action will be held not just outside of Metro Manila but also in provinces as far as Cebu and Bacolod.

Bacolod will host competitions in football, boxing, weightlifting, indoor volleyball and beach volleyball.

Cebu will spend close to P2.5 million for the opening ceremony, which will feature its rich cultural heritage through colorful Sinulog-inspired performances. Cebuano celebrities in the entertainment business will be on hand, too.

Over 1,200 performers were tapped for the massive opening rites scheduled to start at 4 p.m. A 30-minute fireworks display will add more spice to the colorful affair.

"It will be a first-of-its-kind presentation although it is inspired by the Sinulog for which Cebu is famous for worldwide. It is our first time to be part of the SEA Games so it should be very special," Guardo added.

Expected to joint the President in Cebu are First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, Vice President Noli de Castro and other government officials, including senators, congressmen and cabinet secretaries.

The First Gentleman, the chef de mission of the RP delegation, is in the US but has said he’ll be back in the country two weeks before the Games.