Maraming, maraming salamat sa ating Bise Presidente at Kalihim ng Department of Education; nandito rin po ang ating Special Assistant to the President Secretary Anton Lagdameo; mga miyembro ng Senado na nandito para suportahan ang kanilang mga athlete; Marikina 1st District Representative Marjorie Ann Teodoro; the other members of the House of Representatives; Philippine Sports Commissioner Matthew Gaston; Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro; to all the participants, lahat po ng mga nakikilahok sa 2023 Palarong Pambansa; ang ating mga kasamahan sa pamahalaan; ating mga bisita; ladies and gentlemen, magandang hapon, magandang hapon na ito para sa atin dahil kailangan natin ‘yung ulan. At magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat.

And it is with great joy and delight to join you for the opening ceremony of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa.

I give my warmest welcome to all the student-athletes na nanggaling sa iba’t ibang dako ng Pilipinas at binabati ko rin ang ating mga student-athlete na nanggaling sa abroad sa ilalim ng bandila ng Philippine Schools Overseas.

As you take part in your chosen sport, remember you are already champions. And now, you represent your respective schools and localities. Compete with excellence, fairness, and integrity.

It is also my hope that you will enjoy every moment in this competition and make memories during this competition that you will keep close to your heart for the rest of your life.

I also welcome our coaches, our trainers, support staff, [and] family members joining us today. May you continue to push and motivate our young players to become the best versions of themselves during their games and in life.

I convey my utmost support to everyone responsible for this event and to all those who support us in pushing sports development in our country.

I assure you that this government remains steadfast in developing the prowess of our young athletes and in championing their well-being.

This administration believes in the transformative power of sports, not only in improving one’s strength and agility, but also in building up character and discipline.

I urge the Department of Education to keep harnessing the talents and sportsmanship of our student-athletes.  Continue to leverage your reach and resources to provide them with the support, training, and opportunities that they thrive on and on which they will succeed.

With consistent and diligent efforts, I am confident that they will eventually bring glory to our nation not only in the field of sports, but also in other endeavors that they will choose to pursue.

Also, I call upon the LGUs, our local government units, to encourage school participation in sports competitions.

Let us motivate our students to engage in physical activities so they will learn the significance of discipline, resilience, in the realization of their goals.

Along with this, we will foster discipline, accountability, teamwork, all of which are crucial for personal, social, and professional growth.

To our student-athletes, coaches, and trainers: Your dedication to sports is both inspiring and remarkable.

You serve as exemplars of excellence, integrity, and sportsmanship by showing to your peers and your fellow Filipinos the result of your discipline, your training, your hard work, and the many sacrifices you had to make to make it here today.

We have faith that you will emerge victorious – not only victorious against the challenges in the playing field, in your academic work, but also in the journey of life.

So, as we commence the 2023 Palarong Pambansa,
I invite all our countrymen to watch the games, cheer for our favorite players and teams, learn to see who are going to be the future champions of the Philippines, and we watch them as they compete in their respective sports.

I am certain many of our participants here one day, we will be watching in international competitions as we have become a force in terms of international sports.

And these kinds of events, the Palarong Pambansa, na ‘yung ating Palarong Panlalawigan pati ‘yung ating mga regional na laban, diyan po nagbubunga ang ating mga nagiging champion. Diyan po nanggagaling ‘yung mga ating – na mga sikat na Pilipino na kinikilala hindi lamang dito sa Pilipinas kung hindi sa buong mundo. Iyan po ang aming inaasahan sa inyo.

So I welcome everyone to the 2023 Palarong Pambansa! Congratulations in advance because as far as I’m concerned, you are already winners.

Let the games begin! [applause]

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Watch here: 2023 Palarong Pambansa

Location: Marikina Sports Center in Marikina City