Palarong Pambansa kicks off with major rule change
Laguna Gov. Jeorge “ER” Ejercito Estregan shows what’s inside the athletes’ Palarong Pambansa 2014 backpack at the Laguna Sports Complex. (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)
The 57th edition of the annual Palarong Pambansa opens today at the San Luis Sports Complex in Sta. Cruz, Laguna with a revised rule that could tip the balance of power among all participating contingents.
After using the points system for several years, this year’s competition will adapt the General Olympic Medal System which ranks the 17 competing regions through the number of gold medals they won.
“We were really caught by surprise. We only learned five days ago that this year’s Palaro will no longer use the points system,” said Dr. Vivian Ginete, chief of the Education Support Services Division and athletic manager of the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA).
Ginete said the sudden change will heavily impact on on CVIRAA’s bid to improve or retain its third place finish last year.
“We didn’t expect it. We prepared hard for events like basketball, volleyball and football since each team event is worth five golds in the points system but now a team event is only good for one gold,” Ginete said.
Under the medal system, competing regions will only contend for the gold, silver and bronze. The points system allows regions to earn points even with a mere seventh place finish in a particular event.
In finishing third last year, behind perennial champion National Capital Region (NCR) and Region 6, Cviraa collected 29 golds, 46 silvers and 39 bronzes— good for 333 points.
It didn’t win a single gold in swimming and athletics but they snared golds in several team events like basketball, volleyball and football which made the difference in their ranking.
“The athletes were disappointed but of course we will still do our best. We really have to focus on the individual events now,” Ginete said.
CVIRAA is composed of 176 elementary athletes, 221 secondary athletes and 25 SPED athletes. The region is also sending 26 athletes for demo events which include futsal, wushu, wrestling and billiards.
In a separate interview Cesar Abalon, deputy secretary general of the Palaro, said the shift from a points system to a medal system was part of the government’s program to institutionalize the annual multi-sporting event that pits the country’s top elementary and secondary athletes.
“The shift is to comply with the Republic Act (RA) 10588 or the Palarong Pambansa Act which requires competition to meet international standards. There is no points system in international competitions like the Olympics,” Abalon said.
“The problem with the points system is that the focus is on the team not on the athlete. And whatever system we have, it is still up to the athlete. They really have to perform,” Abalon said.
Abalon said the Olympic medal system means the Palaro will no longer have the elementary boxing event and four demo events will soon be part of the 20 events schedule.
“It is like a fresh start for the Palaro because for the first time, we will be having an institutionalized Palaro,” Tonisitio Umali, Asst. Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), said.
Action in the week-long competition starts today mainly though the actual opening ceremony, highlighted by the parade of the 17 competing regions, is scheduled tomorrow yet.
In yesterday’s solidarity meeting, Laguna Gov. George “E.R.” Ejercito said the opening ceremony will be star-studded with former beauty queen Ginger Conejero and Dyan Castillejo serving as master of ceremonies.
The lighting of the torch will feature figure skater Michael Christian Martinez, siblings Jeric and Jeron Teng, Jericho Ejercito, actor Enchong Dee and Filipino boxing hero Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.
Jericho, son of Governor Ejercito, is the skipper of the track and field team of the De La Salle Taft. Rico Blanco and the governor’s wife Maita will sing the theme songs of this year’s Palaro.
Former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro will also grace the affair.
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