LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Philippine Beach Games (PBG) stages its maiden bow at the sprawling Lingayen Gulf, particularly at the Capitol beachfront on April 28-29.
Provincial Sports Development and Management Council (PSDMC) Executive Officer Modesto Operania said the staging of PBG as part of the Pistay Dayat revelry is a showcase of the Lingayen Gulf beach as an ideal venue of beach games and alternative sports.
“We take pride in hosting the Philippine Beach Games at the Capitol beachfront,” said Operania, who stated that Governor Amado I. Espino, III has set sights on promoting the Capitol beachfront as ideal venue for sporting activities to attract more tourists.
The staging of sporting events at the Capitol beachfront is expected to register the influx of more tourists at the historic Lingayen Gulf, Operania added.
It was last year when JP Demontano, chief of Hypehouse Production Corp., introduced in Lingayen during the Pistay Dayat celebration the first-ever collegiate beach flag football tournament in the Philippines.
In a letter sent to the provincial government, Demontano expressed genuine intent of staging the PBG – in partnership with the provincial government — at the Capitol beachfront to provide entertainment to sports enthusiasts and revelers of Pistay Dayat.
Demontano said PBG spectators will witness intense sports action with the eight beach games tournaments to include: beach flag football, beach volleyball, beach petanque, beach netball, beach football, beach ultimate, beach spikeball, and beach handball.
Meanwhile, the provincial government stages the 9th edition of Paboksing ed Gulpo dubbed “Governor Amado Espino boxing cup” on April 30, 2PM, at the Capitol beachfront where male amateur boxing players (12 to 18 year-old) will battle for dominance in several weight divisions.
In partnership with second district Representative Leopoldo Bataoil, the provincial government scheduled the Ladies Beach Volleyball on April 30, 7AM and May 1, 10AM, at the Capitol beachfront, engaging the local volleybelles from all over Pangasinan.
Other sporting events / alternative sports to be held as part of the Pistay Dayat revelry include: 2nd Lingayen Gulf Golf Tournament (May 6, 6AM at the Bonuan Beach Club in Dagupan City); and Pangasinan Skateboarding Competition (April 30, 4PM at Capitol beachfront).
Awarding Ceremony of the 2nd Governor’s Cup Inter-Town/City Basketball Tournament is on April 29, 2PM, at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center gymnasium.
Tigasin Triathlon is scheduled on May 12-13 at the Capitol beachfront.
By Dexter A. See
