NAGA CITY—Some ten thousand athletes, guests, and spectators from the country’s 7 regions are expected to mass at the refurbished 9-year old Metro Naga Sports Complex as Vice President Noli de Castro formally opens the 2006 Palarong Pambansa during colorful ceremonies that will start at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 7 at the foot of towering Mt. Isarog in Bgy. Pacol here.

        Host Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, along with Bicolano Budget Secretary Nonoy Andaya and DepEd Regional Director Celedonio Layon will welcome the athletes and guests, to be followed with an inspirational message by Sen. Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan.

        President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was earlier invited to formally open the games but begged off due to pressing appointments in Malacanang sent her best wishes for the success of this year’s edition of the national games which Naga is hosting for the third time in 9 years, Robredo said.

        The opening ceremonies will commence after the parade of regional delegations in their colorful uniforms. This will be followed by an invocation by Most Rev. Leonardo Z. Legaspi, Archbishop of Caceres. Nueva Caceres is Naga’s old name during the Spanish colonial times.

        DepEd OIC Secretary Fe A. Hidalgo and the city mayor will hoist the Palarong Pambansa banner upon the hoisting of the Philippine flag by the city mayor and DepEd Regional Director Celedonio Layon.

        Naga’s swimming sensations and SEA Games athletes Gabriel Gerard ‘Bonus’ Bordado, Ernest Lorenz Dee and John Bryle Zapata will lead the entrance of Palarong Pambansa torn and lighting of urn, along with representatives from the different competing delegations.

        Bicolano SEA Games bronze medalist Bennie Brydon Sy Jr will lead the oath of amateurism before the release of balloons and doves for peace and unity thru sports.

        Naga Public Safety Office executive director Lito del Rosario said free buses and vans will be deployed to convey ordinary city folks and guests from the city proper to the Metro Naga Complex for the opening ceremonies.

        He added additional augmentation forces from the various police and Army contingents in Bicol have been dispatched to provide security for the duration of the games.