Saturday, November 19, 2005

Aklan Welcomes Torch Relay & Parade

By: Megs S. Lunn
On November 16, 2005, the Aklan Provincial Government joined the 23rd SEA Games Torch relay and parade. The torch arrived in the boundary of Capiz and Aklan from Iloilo City at 12:15 noon.
The LTO squad Haggard, PNP-Region VI Haggard and PNP-Aklan Provincial Officer led by the APPO Provincial Director, P/Supt. William S. Macavinta, Jr.; SWAT Squad Haggard; Aklan Bikers Association Multi-Purpose Coop. (MULAWIN); Sports Mr. Fred Neri; Ms. Roselle Q. Ruiz, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer, Mr. Patricio Villavert, the former DILG Aklan Head and Ms. Racefin Ong Suco, the Chief Operations Officer; the Tri-Media Group and the province’s 9 Gold Medalist Athletes namely: (TAEKWONDO) Arman Octavio, Melyn T. Ili and John Rey Recampo; (CHESS) Susan Grace T. Neri, Kevin T. Mirano,, Achella Joy Ricablanca, Ailen D. Orencio; and (BOXING) Andy Seneris and Jose D. Ricaforte and other LGU’s officials represented the Aklan group that welcomed the caravan.
In a brief ceremony in Altavas, officials of Altavas led by Ana Jaihe dela Cruz received the torch. It was then turned-over to the Taekwondo Gold Medalist Arman Octavio of Tigayon who received it with pride. He carried the torch for the whole of the caravan. Mr. Robert B. Dioso, Jr. of the Philippines SEA Games Organizing Committee and Mr. Jose De Leon, Jr. of Asia Pacific American Times Media Bureau carried the torch to Aklan. The Torch came from Vietnam and arrived at Cebu City on November 11, 2005.
Along the road from Altavas to Kalibo, some schools participated. The school children and teachers waved with their SEA Flags and clapped their hands like the Altavas National High school, elementary schools in Balete, Banga, Linabuan, Tigayon, and Kalibo.
Governor Carlito S. Marquez did the symbolic lighting of the torch. He was assisted by Vice-Governor Hon. Ronquillo C. Tolentino during a short reception program held at Goding Ramos Park. The same warm reception was given to the torch while passing by the national highway in Numancia, Makato, Tangalan, Ibajay, Nabas and Caticlan. Sangguniang Bayan member, Hon. Julieta A. Aron received the torch from Taekwondo Champion Arman Octavio upon arrival in Caticlan, Malay.
The torch caravan board the RO-RO vessel at Caticlan Jetty Port on its way to Oriental Mindoro, Batangas and finally Rizal Park, Manila. /MP

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