SEAG Torch arrives

CEBU CITY — The 23rd Southeast Asian Games Torch arrived in the historic island of Cebu yesterday at the start of a 15-day Torch Relay culminating in the Games’ opening ceremonies on Nov. 27.

"We will nurture it in order that the holding of the biennial meet will be of great resounding success especially in Cebu," said Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia as she welcomed and received the SEAG flame at the Mactan Cebu International Airport from wushu president Julian Camacho, who carried it on board a flight from Vietnam.

She was joined in the ceremony by Philippine Olympic Committee president and Philippine SEAG Organizing Committee chief Peping Cojuangco, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez and commissioner Ritchie Garcia.

From the MCIAA, the flame was carried on a motorcade to Danao City, host of the SEA Games mountainbike.

A group of Cebu athletes met the flame in barangay Magay, some four kilometers from Danao City proper and ran it towards the Ramon Durano Memorial Sports Complex where a mammoth crowd was waiting.

Along the route, residents of Danao City warmly welcomed the flame, which was also accompanied by the SEA Games flag and the national colors of all the 11 countries under the Southeast Asian region.

The residents cheered and chanted as the flame and the flags passed by.

Also, Fifth District Representative Red Durano, Danao City Mayor Ramonito Durano III and City Councilor Oscar "Boying" Rodriguez lead the RP mountainbike team in meeting the flame at barangay Magay.

Riding their bikes, they escorted the flame all the way to the sports complex where Mayor Durano then received from Cojuangco the SEA Games flame.

Today, the SEA Games flame will travel from Danao City to Mandaue City where it will stay overnight after which tomorrow it will already be the turn of Cebu City to receive the flame.

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and Mayor Tomas Osmeña will be welcoming the torch when it arrives at the Cebu City Hall tomorrow.

The torch will then be turned over to the Capitol Provincial Hall . From there it will go straight to Toledo City then to Bacolod City, another SEAG co-host.