Palarong Pambansa on; Aquino drops by tomorrow

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—The town built around a gulf that used to be the runway for World War 2 fighter planes serves as launch pad in the annual search for the country’s future top athletes from the public schools starting here today.

No less than President Aquino will declare the 2012 Palarong Pambansa open at the newly refurbished Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center tomorrow although several events are scheduled to start today in various venues.

Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino and Sec. Armin Luistro of the organizing Department of Education will earlier welcome some 10,000 high school and elementary students during the opening ceremony of the seven-day sportsfest.

Luistro earlier said he’s confident this year’s Palaro will discover future sporting superstars and produce several meet records.

Highlighting today’s opening action are six finals in the centerpiece athletics. Swimming competitions will start on May 8.

National Capital Region is once again expected to dominate both divisions with Western Visayas and Calabarzon providing the opposition.