‘Amazing Aklan’ conquers WVRAA opening
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Close to an Olympic-style opening ceremony, the host province of Aklan showcased its alluring beach destination of Boracay, Ati-Atihan festivals and the renowned Piña cloth industry at the 2010 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet at the Aklan Sports Complex.
More than 1,000 participants of the ‘Amazing Aklan’ featuring the fashion show of Aklan’s world class Piña cloth products and decades-old piña weaving industry, Boracay’s boat dragon racing, beach ultimate frisbee, kite boarding, nightlife band, funboard and windsurfing activities captured the imagination of the athletes and officials from the six participating delegations in Western Visayas.

To the never-ending and rhythmic beating of the drums and lyres, the award-winning Ati tribes of Maharlika, Kabog, Black Beauty Boys, Tribu Bukid Tigayon and Tribu Artisano, Tangalan’s Higante Bantiling and Eskubro of the town of Malinao also add color and pageantry to the opening ceremony in Barangay Calangcang, Makato, Aklan.
Credits go to tourism advocate and Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo and Albert Meñez, board of director of Aklan Provincial Tourism Council, for conceptualizing the ‘Amazing Aklan’ under the theme WVRAA’s ‘Pahampang:Daean sa Kalinong ag Kauswagan’ slated from March 14 to 19.

The ‘Amazing Aklan’ show, not only conquered the hearts of more than 5,000 athletes and spectators, but also got positive reviews from the Department of Education (DepEd) officials in the region and former Defense Secretary Gilberto ‘Gibo’ Teodoro, Jr., who graced the WVRAA Meet opening ceremony on Monday morning.
Teodoro described the festive atmosphere of the WVRAA as ‘amazing and action-packed Aklan’ after 15 years of waiting to host the regional sports event.

Impressed by ‘Amazing Aklan, beyond sand, sound and fiber’ showcasing tourist spots and diverse culture of the province, Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez thanked the DepEd officials and organizers for their display of hospitality and courtesy in the hosting of the 2010 edition of WVRAA.

Aklan Sports Complex in Calangcang, Makato, Aklan will be the center of the action with other WVRAA sporting events also take place in the towns of Lezo, Numancia and the capital town of Kalibo.