Olympics start today
The 3rd Olympic Festival Visayas Qualifying Games will be formally opened today which will last until July 27 here in the city of Dumaguete. The opening will be done through a street parade torch relay at three o’clock in the afternoon.
The parade and torch relay will start at the Quezon Park going to Perdices Street then to Silliman Avenue towards the North National Highway then going to Negros Orinetal High School to the North Gate of the Perdices Coliseum and finally to the Perdices Coliseum Oval.
The first to bring the torch will be Robert Aventajado, Chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee. From him, he will pass the torch to Dumaguete City Mayor Agustin Perdices at the Quezon Park and from Mayor Perdices, it will be handed over to runner number 1 Wayne Larsen who is a member of the National Archery Team and a bronze medalist during the 2007 Southeast Asian Games. Runner no. 2 Cef Quaresma, member of the Negros Oriental Football Team, Runner no. 3 is Gia Marie Gonzales, member of the Negros Oriental Football Team and champion during the 5K National Milo Marathon Dumaguete Leg 2007, Runner no. 4 is Mildred Pelletero, silver Medalist during the National PRISAA and Coach of the NegOr Team Athletics, Runner no. 5 is Paul Ybanez, Member of the Negros Oriental Football team, Runner No. 6 is Arolas Amahit, Former member of the National Track and Field Team for 400 m hurdles, Runner no. 7 is Galileo Amahit, former member of the National Track and Field team for 400 m. hurdles, Runner no. 8 is Buddy Ravello, National Open Decathlon Champion and Negros Oriental Sports Coordinator, Runner no. 9 is Rowel Merto, member of the Philippine National Archery Team during the Seoul, South Korea Olympics in 1988, Runner No. 10 is Alex Flores, site director of TeleTech Dumaguete, Runner no. 11 is Jennifer Chan, Member of the Philippine National Archery Team to Sydney, Australia, Runner no. 12 is Joven Almeda, regional technical support Manager of TeleTech, Runner no. 13 is Mark Javier, member of the Philippine Archery Team to the Beijing Olympics and finally Runner No. 14 is Governor Emilio Macias II who will also light the cauldron.