Cebu ready for SEAG opening rites

Cebu Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (CebuSoc) chairman Jonathan Guardo declared yesterday Cebu is all ready for the staging of six events in the 23rd SEA Games that will formally kick off with a lavish and colorful ceremonies tomorrow at the Cebu City Sports Center.

"We are all set for the SEA Games hosting. We are done with all the groundwork for the opening rites. Everything has been taken care of," said Guardo.

The opening salvo starts off with a parade of competing nations at 4 p.m. from Fuente Rotunda to CCSC. The participating countries will be accompanied by the different university dance troupes wearing their national costumes while dancing to the Sinulog beat.

The Abellana National School dancers will accompany the athletes from Brunei, Cebu Normal University for Cambodia, University of Southern Philippines for Indonesia, Cebu Institute of Technology for Laos, University of Cebu for Malaysia, University of San Carlos for the Philippines, Cebu State College of Science & Technology for Myanmar, Southwestern University for Thailand, University of the Visayas for Timor Leste, University of San Jose-Recoletos for Singapore and Cebu Doctors’ University for Vietnam.

"We are very grateful to the participation of the different universities. Their creative inputs contributed to our SEAG opening presentation. We hope that everything will run smoothly," said Guardo.

Heading the list of VIPs expected to grace the three-hour program are President Arroyo,First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, Philippine Olympic Committee president and Philippine SEAG Organiizng Committee CEO Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, Philippine Sports Commission chairman William "Butch" Ramirez and the National Sports Association (NSA) heads of the six sports events.

They will be joined by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña, Mandaue City Mayor Teddy Ouano and Danao City Mayor Ramon "Nito" Durano III.

The opening rites, organized by Dolly Suzara and Ricky Ballesteros, will be highlighted by a 30-minute fireworks display and the performance of 100-member choral groupo singing to a live accompaniment of the acclaimed Philippine Harmonic Orchestra.

The six events Cebu will host are dancesport at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino Nov. 27, karatedo and judo at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex Nov. 27-29 and Dec.1-4, respectively, sepak takraw at the University of San Carlos-Main gym on Nov.28-Dec.4, pencak silat at the Cebu Coliseum on November 30-Dec. 4, and mountainbike in Danao City Nov. 28-29.

"We are egging on the Cebuanos to support our athletes and witness the different events especially karatedo, judo, sepak takraw and pencak silat because these are very exciting games to watch our for. Though these sports may sound new to some, they have actually given the country pride and honor in the previous SEAG staging," said Guardo.