Palarong Pambansa blasts off in Tarlac

SAN JOSE, Tarlac , Philippines  – Hostilities in nine disciplines begin in earnest as the much-awaited 2010 Palarong Pambansa finally comes off the wraps today as the host rolls out the red carpet for over 10,000 athletes and officials.

Tarlac Gov. Victor Yap, Education Secretary Mona Valisno and Smart-PLDT chair Manny Pangilinan are gracing the elaborate ceremonies at the newly constructed Tarlac Recreational Park here.

The traditional parade of all participating delegations, led by the host team Central Luzon, highlights the inaugural rites.

With the proverbial home-court advantage, Central Luzon bets are expected to fare well against traditional powers National Capital Region, Western Visayas and Southern Tagalog in this sports meet gathering the cream of elementary and high school athletes in the country.

The provincial government and the Department of Education said they left no stone unturned in their preparation, hoping for the smooth staging of the games.

“We’re giving all our visitors the best hospitality possible,” said Yap.

“We are pursuing a well-rounded education for our youth, which undeniably involves sports education,” said Valisno, the new education secretary, taking over from Sec. Jesli Lapus, who has moved over to the Department of Trade and Industry.

“The development of a healthy body cannot be separated from the development of a healthy mind,” Valisno added.

Arnis, already a staple in past editions including last year in Tacloban, will now be featured not just as a regular sports discipline but the country’s national discipline as a result of the enactment of Republic Act 9850.

“The DepEd will work hand in hand with other government agencies to ensure that arnis gets the recognition it truly deserves. When we promote arnis, we also promote our cultural heritage because arnis is home grown,” said Valisno.

Arnis will be played at the Tarlac Christian College Gym in the city proper.

Most of the events – including the centerpiece track and field, football, baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, sepak takraw, sipa and medal-rich swimming – will be held in the main hub while the rest are spread out in the province.

The Big City bets are gunning for a five-peat in both the elementary and high school divisions.

NCR is fielding 700 athletes to achieve the feat in the 2010 Palaro sponsored by Smart-PLDT.

Western Visayas fields 730 athletes, Calabarzon and Central Luzon 700 each, Central Visayas 617, Ilocos Region 603, Northern Mindanao 600, Davao 580, Bicol 560, Socsargen 550, Cordillera Administrative Region 543, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao 516, CARAGA 505, Zamboanga, Cagayan Valley and Mimaropa 500 each and Eastern Visayas 14.

It will be a day of music and dances with participants from all regions teaming up to do the Unity cheer dance to highlight the program.

A fireworks display at night will greet the participants as they march through this year’s theme “Play for the Region, Win for the Nation.”