Torch relay begins RP countdown to Asiad

The Asian Games torch relay journeyed through 10 cities in Metro Manila yesterday, underscoring in symbolic light the participation of Team RP in the 15th edition of the biennial meet slated Dec. 5-15 in Doha, Qatar.

The Philippine relay virtually marked the start of the Doha Games countdown with simple early morning ceremonies at Luneta . It ended at dusk on the same place where Filipino athletes celebrated their conquest of last year’s SEA Games.

Government and sports officials, athletes, movie and television personalities, and other notables took turns handling the Asiad torch, completing the flame’s second longest relay by 7 p.m.

Sheikh Joann Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, son of the Emir of Qatar, lit the Asiad torch, designed after the horn of a revered animal in Doha called oryx, at 7:25 a.m. in front of the Rizal Monument.

Taking their turns at the Games flame at the start of the journey held in cooperation with Qatar Airways were Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez and Philippine Olympic Committee president Peping Cojuangco, Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Isias Begonia, Rear Admiral Amable Tolentino, assistant secretary Cynthia Carrion, bowler CJ Suarez, diver Sheila Mae Perez, archer Jasmin Figueroa, swimmers Akiko Thomson and Kendrick Uy, and World Cup legend Paeng Nepomuceno.

In Quezon City, Mayor Sonny Belmonte received the torch, passing it off to bowling great Bong Coo, down the line to Hero Bautista, representing Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, mountaineer Romeo Garduce, athletics’ Jobert Delicano, and race car driver Tyson Sy.

"The enthusiasm was overwhelming," said Team RP deputy chef de mission Mario Tanchanco, head of the torch relay committee.

"It was perfect. No hitches. Everything was executed to perfection," Even the weather cooperated."

The highlight of the event was when Busan Asian Games gold medalist Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski took her turn at the torch on horseback from Rustan’s on Ayala Avenue to McKinley Road in Makati.

"Mikee’s horse ride was the highlight of the relay," said Tanchanco.

In Marikina City, Vice Mayor Marion Andres and middle distance runner Isidro del Prado did the honors, accompanying the torch to the boundary of Marikina and Quezon City where it eventually crossed into Pasig City.

On hand were Pasig Vice Mayor Yoyong Martirez, boardsailing’s Richard Paz, fencing’s Joanna Franquelli, actor-fencer Richard Gomez, Councilor Fortunato Co, and Olympic boxer Mansueto Velasco.

In San Juan, thousands of schoolchildren lined up the streets waving Philippine and Qatari flags. Vice Mayor Leonardo Celles greeted the torch’s arrival, along with fencing’s Walbert Mendoza and Veena Tessa Nuestro.

Picking it up in Mandaluyong were rowing’s Alvin Amposta, sailing’s German Paz, and muay’s Victoria Agbayani, giving it to Mayor Neptali Gonzales III in front of the City Hall.

Going deeper south, the torch proceeded to Makati, the country’s business district, where Susan Aguado of shooting awaits.

It was then entrusted to Mary Antoinette Rivero of taekwondo, rower Benjamin Tolentino, and Petrona Bantay, entering Taguig and getting welcomed by Mayor Sigfrido Tinga, Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, taekwondo jins Dax Alberto Morfe and Tsomlee Go, and Vice Mayor George Elias.

Triathlete Ian Joash Serrano took over the torch on the entry to Pasay City, with judo’s Franco Teves, rowing’s Alvin Amposta, billiard’s Rubilyn Amit, canoe-kayak’s Norwell Cajes and Brig. Gen. Aangel Atutubo taking turns thE rest of the way.

Accepting the torch in Parañaque was Mayor Jun Bernabe, cyclists Eusebio Quinones, Nilo Estayo and Renato Sembrano, among other athletes, Vice Mayor Jose Mari Yllana, and Games and Amusements Board chairman and multi-titled SEA Games swimmer Eric Buhain.