LAOAG — The 2025 Palarong Pambansa weaved sports and cultural diversity as host Ilocos Norte gave a nod to famous local epic ‘Biag ni Lam-ang’ during the opening ceremony on Saturday at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium in Laoag City.
In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online, Catherine Agustin, a teacher at Bagbag Solsona National High School, shared Lam-ang was born with strength and courage, which he used to avenge his father’s death.
Lam-ang was then heralded as hero by his compatriots, leading a number of battles against opponents.
“Ito ay isang epiko na tungkol sa buhay ni Lam-ang. Si Lam-ang kasi ay ipinanganak siya na nakakapagsalita na, na malakas. Tapos ‘yung father niya kasi nakipaglaban and alam naman natin na kapag sinabing epiko, ito ay tungkol sa bayanihan, pakikipaglaban, pakikipagsapalaran, at meron talagang ipinaglalaban,” Agustin, a Filipino teacher, shared.
“Ang kinalaman sa pinalabas kanina, kasi alam naman natin na kapag epiko ay tungkol sa palakasan so ni-relate lang ‘yung lakas ni Lam-ang sa mangyayari ngayon sa Palarong Pambansa na palakasan ang iba’t-ibang athletes sa bansa.”
Students from various schools in Ilocos Norte did the performance while 3,000 teachers, including Agustin, narrated the story in a speech choir through their local dialect as Ilocos Norte celebrated its culture during the opening act.
According to Agustin, it’s a privilege to witness the Palarong Pambansa in her hometown, especially that the annual multi-sports event is returning to the city for the first time since 1968.
“Napakalaking pagkakataon na makasaksi, makibahagi sa Palarong Pambansa. Nakaka-proud na sa Ilcoso Norte ginanap ang national na palakasan,” she added.
Aside from the ‘Biag ni Lam-ang’ adaptation, the opening ceremonies also had President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who expressed pride in having the student-athletes in his own home.
Marcos paid tribute to elite Filipino athletes who have shown excellence in their field like Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist, and Carlos Yulo, who captured two gold medals in Paris Olympics last year, as well as EJ Obiena and Manny Pacquiao.
Athletes hailing from Ilocos such as former UST standout Ed Daquiaog and former Olympic shooter Eric Ang were among those who lit up the solar-powered torch to formally mark the beginning of the Palaro.
Marcos vowed continuous support to Pinoy athletes with hopes that the country can produce the next generation of Olympians.
“Kami naman sa pamahalaan, hangga’t sa abot ng aming makakaya, ginagawa po naming lahat upang maging mahusay kayong manglalaro. Ngayong araw sa Palarong Pambansa kayo ang kasali, sa susunod kayo na ang kinatawan ng Pilipinas sa Asian Games at tyaka sa Olympics, kaya paghusayan ninyo,” Marcos said during his speech.
“Malay natin dito sa mga kasama natin na ito meron dyan na lilitaw na Manny Pacquiao, Hidilyn Diaz, Carlos Yulo, Aira Villegas, Nesthy Petecio, EJ Obiena, o Alex Eala.”
—JKC, GMA Integrated News