Colors and cultures shine in Palaro opening

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Amidst the hot weather and scorching sun, regional contingents in the 2013 Palarong Pambansa showcased their feasts and cultures and paraded in the streets of Dumaguete clad in bright-colored apparel.

The assembly started at the Silliman University campus around 1:30 PM before the delegates, numbering more than 5, 000, walked around the city streets two hours after. 

Most of the regions displayed their distinct cultural characteristics while some expressed nationalistic statements like thanking Presideny Noynoy Aquino and the K12 education system. Meanwhile, a couple of delegations also expressed their interest in hosting the Palaro in the next 2 years.

Shining the brightest was the Western Visayas delegates, who flaunted feasts like the Ati-Atihan and the Dinagyang, with some participants even painting themselves in black and wore colorful masks.

Host Central Visayas region also paraded costumes from their feasts like the Sinulog, the Panagtagbo, the Kagkaban, the Tawo-tawo, the Sandugo and Dumaguete’s very own Sandurot. Like Western Visayas, they also wore colorful costumes and different masks during the parade which were applauded heavily by the home crowd.

Zamboanga delegates, meanwhile, used their umbrellas to form a beautiful wave among the delegates.

CALABARZON, meanwhile, expressed their bid for the 2014 Palaro games while Davao Region also campaigned for their 2015 Palaro bid by raising a banner. – Rappler.com