By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
President Duterte is expected to grace the annual Palarong Pambansa, which unfolds tomorrow in the historic city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur.
If plans push through, this will mark the second straight time that Duterte will be attending the opening ceremony of the annual event for elementary and high school student-athletes.
Duterte attended last year’s opening in San Jose, Antique where he stressed the importance of the event, saying it serves an “affirmation of the vital role of the youth in building a sustainable future.”
The youth, Duterte added, is a “valuable partner in cultivating a strong society as they demonstrate their skills and talent in the area of sports.”
Gold medals will be contested in 21 regular sports and three demonstration sports, while special games are also lined up for differently-abled student-athletes.
Regular sports are archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, billiards, boxing, chess, football, futsal, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, wrestling and wushu.
Demo sports are: aero gymnastics, dancesports and pencak silat.
Organizers expect 15,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 17 regions to compete in the event where Vigan is hosting for the third time.
The last time the UNESCO World Heritage Site hosted was in 1973.
