LET THE GAMES BEGIN ......
With pride and joy , I join thousands of British Columbians in embracing and welcoming the world for the 21st Winter Olympics opening today in Vancouver .
The most significant pre-game activity is the Torch Relay which started from the easternmost part of Canada ending in Vancouver today , February 12 when the flame is transferred to the cauldron where it will continue burning during the two Olympic weeks .
To many of us Canadians , by birth or by choice , it is a once in a lifetime experience . The cities of Vancouver , West Vancouver , Richmond and Whistler will be the venues of this worldwide event . They are ready for the influx of tourists : athletes , journalists , volunteers and spectators . Pavilions of different countries have mushroomed . Just being in the downtown area gives a feeling of being a participant , one way or another .
People flocked to the torch relays , rain or shine . During the last two days of the relay , I was able to feel the energy and the euphoria of the people welcoming and cheering the torch bearers . In every venue of the torch relay , children and people of all walks of life made efforts to be there when the torch bearers arrived . It is an incredibly special event for most of us . It has been stated "HOW A SINGLE FLAME CAN LIGHT UP NOT ONLY THE THE WHOLE NATION BUT ALSO THE WORLD "..
Recognized the Torch Relay spectators ? Pepe , Mona and daughter Cecille Tan had a great day with the Torch bearers ...
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The much awaited 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics opening night celebration finally unfolded at 6:00 p.m. However , before 6:00 p.m. the celebration started . I did not make it to the B.C. Place where the ceremony took place . However , from the comfort of our living room , Remo and I got ready to take in everything the TV could offer us . From the most impressive start of the ceremony , our eyes were glued to the tube . Tears kept rolling down my cheeks .. Am I being too sentimental and emotional ? I guess I am , just like many of our kabaleyans here .....
The B.C. Place where the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony took place
The Canadian Flag dominated the centre of the huge dome .
Athletes from the country of Georgia marched with black bands on their arms as they mourned the untimely death of one of their colleagues as he practiced for the " luge " competition in Whistler , B.C.
The four bands of the First Nations ( in their native costumes ) who live in British Columbia were given a very important role in the opening ceremony . Four totem poles representing the bands stretched out their arms as their welcome gesture . The inside of the dome was turned into a winter wonderland .
The history of Canada was depicted in a very unique and impressive way . It started with the Aurora Borealis at the North West . Different artists from Eastern Canada ( New Foundland ) to Western Canada showcased what they do best like fiddling , tap dancing , ballet dancing and singing and poetry .
This pageant shows the Inuit people and the great white bear which became their symbol . The pageant also showed what Canada is well known for : Salmon ( and other seafoods ) fishing , mining , farming and lumber . It showed ( through the wonders of modern technology ) the Canadians' love for trees and sustainable living . The depiction was so powerful and impressive indeed .
The finale was the lighting of the big torch by Rick Hansen , the Man In Motion , in his wheelchair , followed by Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns , Nancy Green-Raine , a former gold medalist and Wayne Gretsky , " the Great One " in hockey , who brought the flame to the outdoor cauldron . The cheers of the people from the dome to the streets was so infectious as Wayne Gretsky held the torch in the open vehicle that tranported him to the site of the big Olympic torch ( cauldron ) . The flame would continue to burn until the closing day of the Winter Olympics on February 28 , 2010 .
Note : As I was finishing up this article , Canada just got their first Gold Medal for the first time as host to the three Winter Olympics in Montreal , Calgary and now , Vancouver ! ! The cheers and joy of the Canadians are so electrifying and continues to reverberate throughout the city and the country . Alexandre Bilodeau got the first gold medal in the men's Mogul skiing event at the Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver . It is just so great to be a part of these historic events . I am proud to be a Canadian ! ! !
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The next sixteen days proved to be so electrifying and exciting . It was so thrilling at the games and more contagiously exhilirating to be with the crowd in downtown Vancouver , much more so at Robson Street and at the Whistler Plaza Centre . Canadians wore proudly their identifiable attires ( red and white or red and black with the Canadian logo ) . The red mittens with white logo worn by torch bearers ( which became a Canadian symbol ) practically flew off from the racks . Flags for cars were gone before the first week was over . Lines to the Hudson's Bay Olympic Superstore in downtown were always almost a mile long everyday . Locals , as well as visitors wanted to own a piece or pieces of this Canadian legacy .
Canadians unite to have the same goal : to embrace and enjoy the occasion and welcome our visitors ( athletes and non-athletes ) and of course to show our support for our athletes . Canadians did more than that . They showed an unprecedented patriotism .
Being in the venues and watching the activities unfold on the tube ( TV ) became the first preoccupation of Canadians . The nonchalant Canadians have become the strongest supporters of the games . The Olympics definitely became a great pride and joy and evoked the deep rooted patriotism of Canadians into roars and cheers . As days went by , people became more and more mesmerized by the great support and cheers for the athletes . The Canadians and visitors savoured all what the Olympics could offer .
Personally , my friends and I became young girls enjoying the sights and sounds during these seventeen days of the 2010 Olympics . With me are Baby Navarro Topham , Elizabeth V. Elsener and Cecille G. Carpio . We truly had a great time ! !
Then on the 17th day , Sunday , February 28 , everyone braced for the conclusion of this incredible experience .
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THE CLOSING CEREMONY ... FEBRUARY 28 , 2010
Today is the final day for this successful Winter Olympics . The last competition was Hockey between Canada and USA . Thousands of Canadians ( as well as visitors ) flocked to the GM place where the the much anticipated game would take place . Many more thousands who did not have tickets to GM place went to the venues with large TVs . More Canada shirts , jackets , coats , hats and flags were displayed to show the support for the Canada team . Roars and cheers were heard all over when Canada finally beat the USA team . That was the 14th Gold Medal for Canada .
Then at 6:00 pm , the closing ceremony started . It was another outstanding presentation which was distinctly Canadian . The head of VANOC gave a truly emotional speech . Canadian celebrities were featured . Saying goodbye was hard for locals as well as visitors . Friendships were formed during these absolutely fantastic seventeen days of the Olympics ..
The closing ceremony is like saying goodbye to a great friend . WHAT A GREAT EXPERIENCE ! ! THANK YOU CANADA FOR GIVING US THIS WONDERFUL , MAGNIFICENT AND SPECIAL EXPERIENCE TO SHOW OUR COLOURS AND OUR PATRIOTISM ! ! ! GOD BLESS CANADA AND ITS PEOPLE ! ! !
Good day & GOD BLESS! Just keeping in touch to check the articles & interesting pictures for this has become my monthly habit. Thanks for the effort, time spent on the materials you want to share to every Mangaldanians in the Phils. or any place else.
Posted by: Liz & Dan | March 06, 2010 at 01:31 AM
Dear Atchi Ely ,
I am glad that my little contribution ( or article ) about the recently concluded Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics caught your eye and enjoyed the article and pictures I posted . It was truly a great experience and I am lucky to be here where the action was .
Thank you for your nice comments , Atchi . Thank you too for your past contribution ( articles) about your MNHS Class '48. You are always on top of things , specially with regards to your classmates . They are lucky to have you .
Keep in touch and take care ...
MARIE
Posted by: Marie Aquino Junio | March 05, 2010 at 11:52 PM
Dear Marie,
Your article and pictures
on the opening was spectacular. I was'nt able
to see the opening but with
aliguas I did'nt miss anything.I wish I had just
a little bit of your literary talents.
Your pictures with a flag looks as you are part
of the participants. It must be very cold with all
the wraps in the other picture. It must be a very
great memory to remember.
More power to you!!!
Posted by: Ely Aquino Bayle | March 03, 2010 at 09:32 AM
Hi,
I liked your photos and the articles you wrote about Vancouver. Am a doctor and am planning to visit or even migrate if possible in the future there. But, i dont know many people there except for a long lost friend whom i know lives somewhere in Vancouver, BC. Could you please give me tips/advices that would be able to help me with my decision? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much. - Doc Elaine
Posted by: Doc Elaine/Izzaboe | February 24, 2010 at 04:45 AM
:-)
Posted by: Liz & Dan | February 16, 2010 at 11:14 PM