Puerto Princesa takes charge in STRAA

Host Puerto Princesa amassed 18 golds and 12 silver medals to show the way in the on-going STRAA athletic meet at the newly improved Puerto Princesa -Palawan Sports Complex in Puerto Princesa.

The Palawan contingents collected 45 points in the elementary division and 93 in the secondary level to submit a 138-point total in the weeklong meet.

Laguna could only show nine golds and nine silvers for 133 points while San Pablo also had nine golds but came up with eight silvers for third place. Lucena had five golds and one silver.

The STRAA meet opened yesterday in grand fashion as host city Puerto Princesa regaled delegates and guests to a rousing welcome at the last Sunday.

The opening ceremonies commenced with the colorful entry of delegates from the provinces of Aurora, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Quezon, Rizal, and Romblon, and from cities of Batangas, Cavite, Lipa, Lucena, San Pablo, and Puerto Princesa.

Mayor Edward Hagedorn and City DECS Superintendent Portia Gesilva led Puerto Princesans in welcoming the participants and guests led by Sen. Franklin Drilon and DECS Undersecretary Bartolome Carale who represented Sec. Andrew Gonzales.

DECS Regiona IV Director Belen Magsino declared open the STRAA Millennium Palaro right after Puerto Princesa athlete Dante Asturias carried the "Torch of Friendship" around the oval then to the run. A hundred doves were then released to symbolize the spirit of peace and freedom. An estimated crown of some thirty thousand swarmed the sprawling complex and watched the entire program which included an exhibition of the Drum and Lyre Band and the field demonstration of some four thousand young students followed by a display of fireworks.