Catacutan, Romualdez win Miss Cebu City Olympics titles

SOME 3,000 Cebu City-based athletes start their hunt for the elusive gold medal as the 21st Cebu City Olympics officially start today in various venues, here.

The meet hopes to bring out the best elementary and secondary school athletes with the long-term goal of snaring the overall championship of the Palarong Pambansa. The week-long meet features 20 sporting events with the bulk to be held at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

Cebu City Vice Mayor Augustus “ Joy ” Young challenged the thousands of athletes during yesterday’s opening program, as he encouraged them to do their best and gun for the overall crown of the Palaro no less.

“Atong paningkamotan tanan nga makadaog ta sa CVIRAA para kita gihapon ang mo duwa sa Palarong Pambansa, maayo unta nga maka abot na jud ta sa first place sa Palarong Pambansa,” Young exhorted the player in his short speech.

Palarong Pambansa boxing gold medalist Junreil Jimenez of the Abellana National School (ANS) lit the Olympic urn while swimming champion Michael Ichiro Kong led the Oath of Amateurism.

Cebu City Sports Commission co-chairman Ryan Aznar officially opened the multi-sports meet.

The centerpiece athletics competition will unfold today at the CCSC along chess, badminton and scrabble.

Meanwhile, Leila Arcere Catacutan of Unit 6’s Lahug Elementary School and Maria Juanita Romualdez of Unit 8’s Maria Montessori International School were crowned Ms. Cebu City Olympics elementary and secondary division, respectively.

Lyceum of Cebu’s  (Unit 3) Anafe Nicole Gacayan placed first runner-up and Unit 1’s Queen Pritz Tabada of the Basak Community School was second runner-up.

Serimi Kono of the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) placed second while Danielle Iris Najaro came in third in the secondary division.

Abellana National School and Zapatera Elementary School topped the cheer dance competition in secondary and elementary divisions, respectively.

This year’s meet has 24 delegations — 15 private schools and nine public schools.  /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL