By Rolyn Jane P. Catanus
“We are one island. This is the message that we are sharing with the rest of the country. We are one Negros Island. Whatever, wherever the comments are, we remain one island. And that is the message of this Palarong NIR.”
Thus were the words of Department of Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones during the opening salvo of Palarong NIR 2017 at the Mariano Perdices Stadium, Dumaguete City on the 24th of February, 2017. As the Negros Island Region continues to manifest outstanding performances in different categories and fields, the secretary emphasized how salient it is to recognize both sides of the Negros Island as one unified body.
Participants, including athletes, coaches, assistant coaches, officiating officials, local officials, and the executive committee, came into the stadium clad in their delegation uniforms twelve thousand strong. After the raising and singing of the Philippine flag and the Philippine national anthem, the hoisting of the ASEAN flag, regional flag and host’s banners followed.
Selected Junob National High School students proudly presented Dumaguete’s Sandurot pride in front of the delegates to showcase not only the talent of locals but more importantly the rich culture of Dumagueteños.
Bigwigs who welcomed the participants were Negros Oriental Governor Roel R. Degamo, duly represented by Atty. Froilan Pinili, Assistant Provincial Administrator and Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio B. Remollo.
In his message, Gov. Degamo said that athletes are not just here to play but to develop self-discipline and dedication to their craft.
“Playing fields must not be a battle field. It should build bridges to connect each of the teams,” he furthered.
On the other hand, Mayor Remollo reminded the athletes to be disciplined. “Be disciplined now and tomorrow you can be the best citizens of this country. It is through sports that you develop your personality.”
Apart from the encouragements, he gave his heart out as he expressed gratitude to all the people and the committees behind the success of the event.
Meanwhile, Asssistant Regional Director Salustiano T. Jimenez presented all 16 participants including the approximately 1, 000 officiating officials.
Dr. Gilbert T. Sadsad, NIR Regional Director, before introducing the Secretary as the guest speaker, also conveyed the warmth of his heart to all the school divisions of the Negros Island Region for their participation and support to the battlecry of the region.
It is wonderful to note that of all the regional athletic meets in the country, only Palarong NIR was blessed to have been graced by the presence of the DepEd Secretary herself.
During her speech, Secretary Briones reminds all participants, saying, “As we start the games tomorrow, I need not repeat what you are always told – that you’d be good sports, that you’d be honest, there be no cheating, and no lying even as we compete with each other. We all know that. But never, never forget. We are one NIR. We are one island province. We are one people. We share many aspects of our various cultures. There is love, there is peace, there is cooperation among ourselves in the island.”
She recapitulated the many memories she will never forget about the places and cities of Negros Island since her mother and father, as she proudly shared, are from both oriental and occidental.
In an emotional end quote, she said, “When I saw the parade, I almost wept because this is what we, elders, have been looking forward to – that the two Negroses be one.”
As the program moves to a close, the NIRAA banner was turned over from Hon. Alfredo Marañon Jr., the governor of the province of Negros Occidental, to Governor Roel R. Degamo of the province of Negros Oriental and Hon. Felipe Remollo of Dumaguete City.
This was then followed by the hoisting of the NIRAA banner and the delegation banners.
Bien Aloysius Vianney Miraflor, gold medalist of Palarong Pambansa 2014, led the athletes’ oath of amateurism while Education Support Services Division Lead Coordinator Adolf Aguilar led the oath of conduct of officiating officials.
Four athletes namely Danielle Lopez, Clifford Anadon, Ibarra Ortega Jr., and Martin Sayson led in the symbolic lighting of the cauldron.
With this, Dr. Gilbert T. Sadsad declares the Palarong NIR 2017 formally open before an explosive fireworks display lit the skies.
Participants, including athletes, coaches, assistant coaches, officiating officials, local officials, and the executive committee, came into the stadium clad in their delegation uniforms twelve thousand strong. After the raising and singing of the Philippine flag and the Philippine national anthem, the hoisting of the ASEAN flag, regional flag and host’s banners followed.
Selected Junob National High School students proudly presented Dumaguete’s Sandurot pride in front of the delegates to showcase not only the talent of locals but more importantly the rich culture of Dumagueteños.
Bigwigs who welcomed the participants were Negros Oriental Governor Roel R. Degamo, duly represented by Atty. Froilan Pinili, Assistant Provincial Administrator and Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio B. Remollo.
In his message, Gov. Degamo said that athletes are not just here to play but to develop self-discipline and dedication to their craft.
“Playing fields must not be a battle field. It should build bridges to connect each of the teams,” he furthered.
On the other hand, Mayor Remollo reminded the athletes to be disciplined. “Be disciplined now and tomorrow you can be the best citizens of this country. It is through sports that you develop your personality.”
Apart from the encouragements, he gave his heart out as he expressed gratitude to all the people and the committees behind the success of the event.
Meanwhile, Asssistant Regional Director Salustiano T. Jimenez presented all 16 participants including the approximately 1, 000 officiating officials.
Dr. Gilbert T. Sadsad, NIR Regional Director, before introducing the Secretary as the guest speaker, also conveyed the warmth of his heart to all the school divisions of the Negros Island Region for their participation and support to the battlecry of the region.
It is wonderful to note that of all the regional athletic meets in the country, only Palarong NIR was blessed to have been graced by the presence of the DepEd Secretary herself.
During her speech, Secretary Briones reminds all participants, saying, “As we start the games tomorrow, I need not repeat what you are always told – that you’d be good sports, that you’d be honest, there be no cheating, and no lying even as we compete with each other. We all know that. But never, never forget. We are one NIR. We are one island province. We are one people. We share many aspects of our various cultures. There is love, there is peace, there is cooperation among ourselves in the island.”
She recapitulated the many memories she will never forget about the places and cities of Negros Island since her mother and father, as she proudly shared, are from both oriental and occidental.
In an emotional end quote, she said, “When I saw the parade, I almost wept because this is what we, elders, have been looking forward to – that the two Negroses be one.”
As the program moves to a close, the NIRAA banner was turned over from Hon. Alfredo Marañon Jr., the governor of the province of Negros Occidental, to Governor Roel R. Degamo of the province of Negros Oriental and Hon. Felipe Remollo of Dumaguete City.
This was then followed by the hoisting of the NIRAA banner and the delegation banners.
Bien Aloysius Vianney Miraflor, gold medalist of Palarong Pambansa 2014, led the athletes’ oath of amateurism while Education Support Services Division Lead Coordinator Adolf Aguilar led the oath of conduct of officiating officials.
Four athletes namely Danielle Lopez, Clifford Anadon, Ibarra Ortega Jr., and Martin Sayson led in the symbolic lighting of the cauldron.
With this, Dr. Gilbert T. Sadsad declares the Palarong NIR 2017 formally open before an explosive fireworks display lit the skies.