On the streets: Dumaguetenos cherish Palaro experience

Yuys Escoreal

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

They may not be involved with organizing the Palaro, but these Dumaguetenos are cherishing this momentous experience.

HAPPY. Emma Soriano says she's having fun as the Palaro unfurls in Dumaguete. Photo by Rappler/Yuys Escoreal. 

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — After years of waiting, Negros Oriental is finally hosting this year’s Palaro. Negrenses all over the Orient are ecstatic and more than happy to host such a momentous sports event. This year, the province hopes to promote peace through sports.

As the whole nation has its eyes on Negros Oriental and its preparations for the biggest youth sporting event in the Philippines, there are a few who continue to live their lives outside the Palarong Pambansa but are more than happy for it to land in the province.

If checking your newsfeeds, tweets and e-mails are part of your daily routine, Emma Soriano spends her summer roaming the streets of Dumaguete bringing her black bucket of freshly caught fish for a living. A widow from San Jose, Emma serves as a mother and a father at the same time to her children. For her, having the Palaro in the province is a good thing. Watching the different events would be a good way to unwind from her stressful and skin burning work.

“Enjoy ko ana. Bibo man kalingawan sa mga tawo, ako hilig pud ko sa paglantaw ana. (I’m really enjoying. The fun here is on its peak. I am very interested in watching the games),” said Emma.

MORE WORK. Porters get more income as they are hired to carry the luggages of Palaro participants. Photo by Rappler/Yuys Escoreal.

Carrying luggages for almost 20 years feed the family of Jose Estocado. He works as a porter in Dumaguete Port.

“Oo nalipay ko nga ani diri sa Dumaguete ang palaro kay makahatag man na ug dungog sa Dumaguete. Makatabang pud ni sa among panginabuhi. Ang mga athlete mga coach magpakarga namu. Usa pud na makatabang namu (I’m happy that the Palaro will be here in Dumaguete because it give credit to the city. It [Palaro] is helpful to us [porters]. The athletes and coaches hire us to carry their luggage),” Jose said wearing a smile on his sun kissed face.

While other students spend their summer vacation posting pictures from their getaways, Jamin Limbo, an incoming fourth year student of San Antonio Sibulan National High School, distributes fliers in the city’s downtown to earn money during the break.

SUMMER JOB. With the Palaro around, Jamin has more people to give flyers to. Photo by Rappler/Yuys Escoreal.

Nalipay ko kay sadya (I am happy because everyone is having fun),” Jamin said in a seemingly shy tone.

These statements prove that even at tough and hard times, people in the Orient are not apathetic and are still very much involved with the happenings of the province.

Seas and islands unite, different religions bond as one, and the province lights the torch in opening the Palarong Pambansa. Some may run barefooted, some may fight with an empty stomach, others may break records and many will go home empty handed. But what matters most is the experience.

As the saying goes, “For when the Great Scorer writes down your name, he writes not whether you win or lose but how you play the game. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!