Palarong Pambansa, considered as one of the most prestigious national sports events in the country, is scheduled to be held in Lingayen, Pangasinan on May 6-12. Some 10,000 student-athletes, coaches and sports officials are expected to attend its opening rites at the Narciso Ramos Sports Complex. This was the second time the province hosted the national event since 1995.
If I am not mistaken, the last time Pampanga hosted the Palarong Pambansa was in 1990, some 22 years ago under the administration of the late Governor Bren Guiao.
The following year Mt. Pinatubo erupted and wrought havoc on most of the towns and cities of the province including the City of San Fernando where the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex is situated.
Though spared from lahar flows, its track oval had been dilapidated by frequent flooding caused by heavy rains and the lack of maintenance, which also requires huge amount of funding from the government.
Its rehabilitation would entail millions of pesos from public funds, eating a huge chunk allotted for other priority projects.
In the Visayas, cities of Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo often win the bidding for the hosting, the same with Koronadal City and Zamboanga City in Mindanao. This is because their sports facilities are well-maintained, needing minor repairs and reconstruction for possible staging of competitions like the Palarong Pambansa.
DepEd and sports officials now see Clark as a perfect, if not, the most viable venue in Luzon for the staging of the annual sporting event participated by 17 regional athletic associations.
Thus, there are numerous reasons for the Clark Development Corp. (with the help of the national government) to pursue its ambitious project – building a world-class sports complex inside Clark. CDC President and CEO Felipe Antonio Remollo’s plan is timely and seems to be a wise investment.
Aside from being a flood-free area (which is 300 feet above sea level), it has an international airport where most budget airlines like Cebu Pacific and AirPhil Express operate.
Domestic and international flights via Clark are also expected to increase this year, making it easier (and cheaper) for athletes to travel from and to the Freeport.
Tight security at the Freeport also assures delegates of their utmost safety during the whole duration of every scheduled event.
Unlike in most populated sports venues, traffic in Clark is far better than those places mentioned above because of its well constructed four-lane main highway. It also regulates the number of passenger jeepneys going in and out of the Freeport.
If it will be realized, the “1st Palarong Pambansa-Clark” would help boost the country’s tourism, serving as a dry run for hosting competitions that we Filipinos often see only on TV and on the internet.
These include the Southeast Asian games, Asian games, Wimbledon, Chess Olympiad, Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup, FIBA, other Pro-Tours in Lawn Tennis, Badminton, and Table Tennis.
Parents of young Kapampangan athletes and those coming from different provinces and cities in Central Luzon will also have the chance to cheer for their children as they compete live in the national and international arena.
As it progresses, economic activities become inevitable. Demand for consultants and coaching jobs increases especially for athletes who want to retire after long years of playing.
But beyond all these promising gains is the opportunity to teach our children positive values and attitude through experience, through sports. Well of course passion, patience, determination and hard work never cease when inculcated deep within us.
Good thing that sports promotes friendly competition, and it promotes unity – something that has kept us Filipinos away from various forms of conflicts and lessening the casualties of war – mainly the reason why it was created.
Sports is about teamwork that differs from the one being practiced in an “unhealthy” corporate environment where hypocrisy, untruthfulness, gossips, kaplastikan, crab mentality and the like reside.
Now if some of your crab-like officemates pull you down while you’re climbing to reach your goal, don’t kick her ass. Carry her up until you reach the top, then “hit” her face a powerful forehand and backhand “flat drive”.
Just do it and enjoy the game.
