Message from the Mayor
At least once every year, the whole country (and the world, perhaps) gets to drop whatever it is that it is doing so that it can focus its energies on playing. And this is actually healthy and good, both for our bodies and spirits. For as George Bernard Shaw said, “ We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
This 21-26 February 2010, the Provinces of Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan; and the cities of Calapan and Puerto Princesa will come together to play. That our beloved City of Puerto Princesa has again been chosen to host for the nth time these games is something that we are truly proud of and thankful for. To be repetitively hosting a winners’ club, which is what the MIMAROPA Regional Athletic Association is in truth and in fact, is something that we would never tire of doing.
Why do we say that the MIMAROPA RAA is a winners’ club? If we take into consideration the so many athletes, coaches, umpires/referees and other sports officials who would have wanted to be here but did not make it to the list, then we would readily understand that fact. Your being here is already a victory. To have been chosen to represent your respective provinces and cities is by itself an outstanding feat already. Who knows, perhaps one or several of you here may be chosen to represent our country in international competitions. Then this year’s theme, “MIMAROPA RAA: Soaring To Greater Heights In Quest Of Glory; Achieving Goals For Man And Country,” would have been realized.
To those of us who may falter and fall, just remember these words: “A man is not finished when he is defeated; he is finished when he quits.” “Failure is not fatal; failing to change will be. Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more wisely.” “If you are not big enough to lose, you are not big enough to win.” And from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Men succeed when they realize that their failures are the preparations for their victories.”
And it is in this context that, in behalf of the noble people of Puerto Princesa City, we warmly welcome all of you, winners, and thank you for the honor and pleasure you brought to our shores by your presence. We enjoin you to play as if these are the last games you’d play. Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.
City Mayor
