BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Lacson called on thousands of student athletes here to never leave behind their education as Mayor Evelio Leonardia urged them to be inspired by the performance of the country in the Southeast Asian Games.
“Please remain to be student-athletes; first be a student then second be an athlete, never leave behind the importance of education,” Lacson said to the more than 10,000 crowd that showed up for the opening ceremonies of the 2019 Palarong Panlalawigan yesterday, 8 December 2019, at the Panaad Park and Stadium.
The crowd, a mix of athletes, coaches, public officials, students, and parents took part in this annual sporting event with this year’s theme: “Negros Occidental: Sustaining School Sports Supremacy”.
The program took off with an athletic parade of delegates coming from 10 athletic associations from the six congressional districts, Bacolod City Division, NOPSSCEA, NOHS and ANOPSSAI.
It was followed by an opening ceremony conducted by the Department of Education-Negros Occidental.
Leonardia, in his opening remarks, told the athletes “may the result of SEA Games inspire (you).”
He added the performance of the Philippines in the regional competition must serve “as our standard and our level of excellence in the coming provincial meet and eventually the Palarong Pambansa.”
The winners of the 2019 Palarong Panlalawigan will represent the next WVRAA games.
