Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday exhorted athletes participating in the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet to "stand firm" and overcome challenges in every sports competition.

At the opening of the WVRAA Meet at the Panaad Park and Stadium, Marañon recalled the incident that involved Iloilo Gov. Neil Tupas, who, he said, was challenged for his post "illegally".

"Still, he was proven to have won fair and square," Marañon said, referring to the futile attempt of the Department of Interior and Local Government to dismiss Tupas, who was found guilty of corruption by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Tupas, who was also present at the WVRAA opening, secured a temporary restraining order, stopping the DILG and law enforcers from implementing the dismissal order.

"This is for me an example for all of us to stand firm," Marañon told the close to 2,000 student-athletes.

Victoriano Tirol Jr. the Western Visayas Department of Education regional director, called the Palaro "only an initiation to a greater game - the game of life".

"Your coaches are training you today to become a better person tomorrow," Tirol said. Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Nikki Servando of Trinity Christian School led the oath of sportsmanship. Highlighting the opening program was a presentation by the NOHS Broadway Review, composed of 2,000 students, as well as Bacolod public schools that participated in the MassKara street dance competition.

Also present at the opening were Antique Governor Salvacion Perez, Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Isidro Zayco and Mayors Evelio Leonardia of Bacolod and Jerry Treñas of Iloilo. *JCF

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