PBBM throws full support behind athletes as he opens Palarong Pambansa

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

EARLIER. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the opening of #PalarongPambansa2025 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on Saturday (May 24, 2025). (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pledged to give his full support to Filipino athletes as he officially opened the 65th Palarong Pambansa at Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. Memorial Stadium in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on Saturday night.

Marcos called on the grade school and secondary student-athletes to give their best.

“Magandang halimbawa kayo sa kabataang Pilipino na may pangarap sa buhay at determinasyon upang matupad ito. Kami naman sa pamahalaan, hangga’t sa maabot ng aming makakaya, ginagawa po namin ang lahat para matulungan kayong maging mahusay na manlalaro (You are a good example to the Filipino youth who have dreams in life and the determination to make them come true. As for us in the government, to the best of our ability, we are doing everything we can to help you become good athletes),” Marcos said.

“Ang gobyerno ay laging nasa likod ninyo. Tutulungan namin kayong maabot ang inyong pangarap dahil ang panalo ninyo, panalo na rin namin (The government is always behind you. We will help you achieve your dreams because when you win, we win too),” he added.

Marcos said win or lose, they are already considered champions because of their impressive sports skills and dedication to win the competition.

“Higit sa pagkapanalo, mas mahalagang matutunan ninyo ang disiplina, ang halaga ng pakikipagkaibigan at mag-enjoy naman sa inyong favorite sport, Manalo man o matalo. Tandaan ninyo, ang taong lumalaban ay hindi natatalo (More than winning, it’s more important for you to learn discipline, appreciate the value of friendship, and enjoy your favorite sport, win or lose. Remember, a person who fights never loses),” he said.

“Losers are those who fail to try. Winners are those who try and maybe they failed, but then they try again and do not stop trying until they win and succeed.”

Marcos advised them to take care of their health and keep chasing their dreams until they become successful.

He said that in the future, some of them could be the country’s representatives to international competitions.

“Ngayong araw dito sa Palarong Pambansa, kayo naman ang kasali. Sa susunod kayo na ang kinatawan ng Pilipinas sa Asian Games at saka sa Olympics, kaya paghusayan ninyo (Today here at the Palarong Pambansa, you are the participants. Next time you will represent the Philippines in the Asian Games and then the Olympics, so do your best),” Marcos said.,

This year’s Palarong Pambansa features 24 regular sports, including athletics, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, taekwondo and swimming.

Weightlifting will be introduced as a demonstration sport, while kickboxing, girls’ football and girls’ futsal will be held as exhibition events.

A special category for athletes with disabilities also highlights events in para-athletics, para-swimming, bocce and goalball.

Around 15,000 delegates from 20 athletic associations, including the country’s 18 regions, the National Academy of Sports and Philippine Overseas Schools, will participate from May 25 to 30.

With the theme, “Nagkakaisang Kapuluan” (United Archipelago), the annual national scholastic competition aims to promote physical education, discover emerging athletic talent, and foster camaraderie and national pride among student-athletes from diverse backgrounds.