ANGELES CITY -- Pampanga hosted the last leg of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Torch Run at the Bayanihan Park here on November 23, where Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. marked it as "unity with neighboring Asean countries through sports."
"From Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where the previous edition of the regional sports meet lit the flame of our unity in sports -- the torch has now reached Angeles City, the new gateway to the world," he said.
According to Lazatin, this is to symbolize the Philippines' commitment to goodwill and friendship with neighboring Asean countries in order to build a peaceful and better region.
"The SEA Games sporting competitions evoke our shared commitment to solidarity with our Asian neighbors in order to build a peaceful and better Asean region. I firmly believe that our solidarity with our Asean neighbors will accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region," he added.
Among those who lit the torch were Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, and Apl.de.ap, an Angeles City native and Grammy award-winning rapper, who also joined the 5k Torch Run with residents of Angeles and Mabalacat City, volleyball player Majoy Baron, national athletes Cheska Altomonte of softball, Tani Gomez Jr. of water polo and Jasmine Alkhaldi of swimming.
Tje mayor also encouraged the athletes to visit the country's tourist spots and cultural heritage, especially Pampanga which is known as the Culinary Capital of the country.
"Angeles City is the birthplace of 'sisig,' and I am inviting you to partake of this local culinary delicacy," he said.
Also present during the event were Bases Conversion Development Authority president Vince Dizon, Clark Development Corp. president Noel Manankil, Phisgoc senior managing director Jojit Alcazar, commissioner Cella Kidam of the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee Board Member Cynthia Carrion, Chief Adviser and Tactician IC Calaguas, Executive Asst. IV Reina Manuel, and some officials of Angeles and Mabalacat City, among others. (PR)