THE PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) Visayas office tapped renowned Sinulog Festival organizer Ricky Ballesteros to handle the opening ceremonies of the Philippine National Games (PNG) at the Cebu City Sports Center on May 19.
Because this is the first time in 21 years that Cebu will host the prestigious meet featuring the country’s brightest athletes, the PSC wants a grand opening for the meet and there is no better person capable of achieving that than Ballesteros, who is known for organizing the Sinulog Festival and was awarded by Milo as the best organizer in both the Milo Little Olympics national finals and the Milo Marathon.
In an interview with Cebu Daily News, Ballesteros said he will prepare a very “Cebuano” theme for the opening with an ultra-modern touch of music, costumes, and presentations.
“We will also feature the different cultures of the different regions through dances and music,” said Ballesteros. “The lighting of the urn will be a big surprise, something that we have not done before, we hope we will materialize it.”
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is expected to grace the prestigious meet, according to PSC Commissioner for Visayas Ramon “El Presidente” Fernandez.
This is why it is important for Ballesteros to come up with a good opening show.
Cebu experience
But his plans will depend on the budget that will be allocated to him from the PSC.
PSC allocated a whopping P60-million for the entire meet and according to Fernandez, he has already talked to Ballesteros to finalize the planning of the opening ceremonies.
“We offer something new to the to our participants and spectators [so] that they will cherish to remember the Cebu experience,” added Ballesteros.
Cebu City and Cebu Province will be co-hosting the meet.