ON Sunday, May 7, the Filipino people will be focusing their eyes on Naga City as national top officials led by Vice President Noli de Castro and host City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo formally open this year’s edition of Palarong Pambansa.

        For the next 6 days, all roads will lead to Naga City as over 6,000 young athletes, accompanied by over 2,000 more sports and school officials and coaches from the country’s 17 regions unleash the thrill and excitement of sports in the tradition of Olympic ideals of Citius, Altius, Fortius – Faster, Higher, Stronger.

        It is to the people of Naga’s credit that this city that prides itself of a rich cultural heritage and a modern role as model local government unit for transparent and innovative governance will be hosting the games for the third time in nine years, a rare feat that itself should deserve a gold medallion for the city and its people even before the games start.

        But more than the pursuit for honor and glory and the display of stamina and prowess, the Palarong Pambansa should articulate the nation’s thrust towards a culture of friendship and sportsmanship that should foster regional development and national solidarity. In sports, politics are set aside, and wars and animosities should stop as what it did between the rival Grecian states during the ancient times.

        For the people of Naga City, it is a time to show their “best shots” as hosts by seeing to it that guests and athletes feel safe and welcome; that they don’t feel harassed inside and outside the playing arenas.

        For indeed, our guests expect much from us for they have heard of our fabled warmth and hospitality. We need to show them that everything that is good and worth emulating is happening in Naga, as Mayor Robredo reminds his people as he invites them to come and join in the celebration of inter-regional sports competition and cross-cultural exchanges that should normally take place when 17 regions meet in a single place.

        Further, the mayor says he wants every Nagueños to be part of the big event and enjoy it “because together we once dreamed, and later realized, that Naga is truly a maogmang lugar for our guests and ourselves.”