Zamboanga City Sisterhood

Private Schools Athletic Association National Games

Last Monday, the Private Schools Athletic Association national games was formally opened by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Lingayen town. This means that for the whole week this week, Pangasinan will play host to some 5,000 athletes and sports officials coming from the different regions of the country. In the 53-year history of the PRISAA, I'm told that this is the first time for the national games to be held in the province. I'm also told that this is the first PRISAA national games where no less than the highest official of the land – the President – attended its inaugurals and declared the games open. Lyceum Northwestern University President Gonzalo T. Duque, PRISAA national president, who persistently lobbied for the holding of the games in the province, takes pride in having the province's key personalities support this event. Speaker Jose de Venecia and all Pangasinan congressmen chipped in. The provincial government also gave its share, especially in the repair of the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, where most of the events are being held. The Dagupan City government, for its part, will sponsor a Dagupan Night, where the athletes will be made to experience "Kalutan ed Dagupan." This is apart from having the Olympic-sized swimming pool repaired and the financial assistance extended by the Sangguniang Panlungsod. But more than all these, our hosting of the PRISAA should be an opportunity for all Pangasinenses to show off and shine. This is our chance to show our hospitality as people; this is our chance to make our visitors feel our warmth. After all, events like the PRISAA should always bring out the best in each one of us.