Symbolic torch to light urn in DavNor Palaro

This is an official release from the Davao del Norte provincial government

DAVAO DEL NORTE, Philippines – A torch symbolizing peace and unity and emphasizing on a borderless society will light the urn during the opening ceremony of the 2015 Palarong Pambansa that runs from May 3 to 9.

The torch is made up of 3 parts — the top inspired by the tambara, an altar where lumads make their offerings to the spirits; the middle made up of authentic materials from the Muslim culture, including the sequins, and the bottom which is a chalice depicting Christianity.

The whole torch is made up of bamboo, abaca and beadwork, according to its designer, Banjo Saporre Jr, Ford Academy of the Arts in Davao and a former production designer for theater. It took 4 days to make.

“The torch is inspired by the tri-people diversity of Mindanao which the 2015 Palarong Pambansa has chosen to highlight,” Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said. “Peace can exist in this diverse composition of the island.”

The Palaro, supported by the Tagum Agricultural Development Company Inc. or TADECO, Damosa Land, Davao Packaging Corporation (DPC), Davao International Container Terminal, Inc. (DICT) and Pearl Farm Beach Resort, kicks off on May 3 at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex.

A video of the 2015 DavNor Palaro will be shown during the opening ceremony. It features Philippine sports greats Elma Muros-Posadas and Eric Buhain and football star Yannick Tuason.

Directed by Willia Apa, the video will also show young athletes Kier James Maceren, a football player from Davao City, as well Roger Porton Jr, a swimmer from Samal, and Mariafe Basong, a member of the Talaingod DavNor Runners, the Davao del Norte athletics team which is a product of a sports program that trains lumad children into becoming elite athletes in track and field.

The scenes were shot in Talikud Island in the Island Garden City of Samal, the municipalities of Talaingod and New Corella, and in Tagum City. All are local government units of Davao del Norte.

The shooting took 8 days because materials generated from the shoot were also used in the music video and TVC. – Rappler.com