TACLOBAN CITY - Education Secretary Jesli Lapus commended the Palaro 09's opening ceremony which featured cultural presentations of Eastern Visayas dubbed as "Grand Palabas: A Tribute to the Grames."

The colorful opening saga highlighted four Leyte festivals including Pasaka of Tanauan, Batobalani of Bato, Lingganay of Alangalang and Binaybay of Baybay City in a potpourris of colors and dance.

At least 2,000 students from all over the province performed during the Grand Palabas.

TACLOBAN CITY  - The 2009 Palarong Pambansa officially kicked off Monday April 27 at the newly refurbished Leyte Sports Development Center featuring at least 8,000 athletes from all the 17 regions aiming to better their rankings in this year's national sports conclave.

This even as the whole Palaro 2009 awaits the Ceremonial Opening today, Tuesday, which would be graced by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Games for the day are suspended to give way to the formal opening.

A "Grand Palabas" is set to unfold at 8:00 o' clock in the morning to culminate in the PGMA's formal welcome of the different delegations and formal opening of the Palaro estimated to be between 9:30 to 10:30 in the morning.

By Rodrigo S. Victoria

Tacloban City (29 April) -- In order to encourage the athletes to do their best in any sport events in the 2009 Palarong Pambansa, Dr. Eugenio Penales, General Athletic Manager of Region IX revealed that every athlete in their delegation who will get a gold medal will be given a cash incentive in the amount of P20,000.

This was the pronouncement made by Dr. Penales in an interview with PIA before the start of the opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa 2009 yesterday (April 28).

However, Penales did not reveal how much amount they will give to the silver and bronze medal winners.