Cebu kicks off SEAG torch relay

The Southeast Asian Games Torch Relay fires off today in Cebu, ushering in a 16-day run that will pass through key cities and municipalities and will culminate in Manila on Nov. 27 for the grand opening of the 23rd staging of the Games.

Cebu SEA Games Organizing Committee (CebuSoc) vice chairperson Cheryl Ouano said everything is in place for the torch run, designed to intensify national awareness and promote appreciation of the country’s third hosting of the SEA Games.

"Although it means a lot of work for us, we’re very happy that the SEAG Torch Relay will start off here in Cebu. It only shows the Philsoc officials have full trust and confidence in our organizational competence in events of such magnitude," said Ouano.

The torch, which will be fetched from Vietnam by Wushu Association of the Philippines president Julian Camacho, will be received at 11 a.m. by POC resident and Philsoc chief Jose "Peping" Cojuangco Jr. and PSC top honchos Butch Ramirez and Ritchie Garcia in ceremonies at Lounge 7 and 8 of the Mactan International Airport.

CebuSoc chairman Jonathan Guardo said that all is set for the grand and elaborate opening salvo of the Games in Cebu, highlighted by a 30-minute fireworks display on Nov. 25 at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The wushu president will turn over the torch to Cojuangco, who in turn passes the flame to Guardo.

Guardo carries the torch around Cebu then to Danao and Mandaue.

The Queen City of the South is one of three satellite venues — along with Bacolod and Subic Bay Freeport — of the Nov. 27-Dec. 5 biennial meet and will be hosting the events of pencak silat (Cebu Coliseum), judo and karatedo (Mandaue Sports Center), sepak takraw (San Carlos gym), mountain bike (Danao City) and dance sport (Water Front hotel).

The torch stays in Cebu until Nov. 14 before it proceeds to Bacolod via Dumaguete.

From Bacolod, it passes through Iloilo and then Mindoro to Batangas, Calamba and Los Baños, where the aquatics events are scheduled.

On the 18th, the torch will be in Tagaytay (site of the cycling and chess events), then in Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pasay, Makati, Pasig, Marikina and all the way to Pampanga, Angeles and Subic Bay.

On the 23rd, the flame relay goes to Quezon City, the following day in San Juan and Taguig and 25th back to Manila where it would pass by the City Hall.

The final day will have it passing by Malacañang before proceeding at the Luneta Grandstand for the highlight of the opening ceremonies.

Olympian Antoinette Rivero has been designated to carry the torch and light the SEA Games cauldron on opening day.