The much-anticipated Cebu City Olympics 2025 finally kicked off on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Cebu City Sports Center after being postponed due to severe weather conditions that affected the city in September and October.
Grand Opening Ceremony
The event began with a vibrant parade of athletes around the track oval, led by Boy and Girl Scouts from Abellana National School. Student-athletes from various educational institutions, including the University of Cebu and DepEd Unit 3, marched proudly before the formal program commenced.
The ceremony featured several notable performances, including the national anthem led by Marijune I. Torreon, an ANS faculty member. Idol Kids Philippines semifinalist Keisha Jay E. Auron from Mabolo Elementary School performed the doxology, followed by the singing of the Cebu City Division Hymn.
Inspiring Messages and Symbolic Traditions
Department of Education Cebu City Division Superintendent Dr. Nimfa D. Bongo delivered powerful opening remarks, emphasizing the core values of the sports competition. "It's not just about the medals... we are here to showcase our skills, guided by DepEd's motto 'Quality education for students always,'" Dr. Bongo stated.
She continued by urging participants to uphold sportsmanship: "So players, play with honor; our referees, coaches, and officials, lead with fairness; and parents, thank you. Let us all uphold together the spirit of sport: fairness and joy."
The ceremony included the raising of CCO flags and Unit clusters flags, followed by the symbolic lighting of the Olympic Urn by David Bolongaita, a Batang Pinoy 2025 and CCO 2024 gold medalist in athletics.
Official Declarations and Entertainment
Archery gold medalist Nina Mae Khylie de los Reyes of Cebu City Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial National High School and Omar Ylan, a Palarong Pambansa technical official for billiards, led the oath of sportsmanship for athletes and officiating officials.
Dr. Bongo then officially declared the 33rd edition of the Cebu City Olympics open, marking the beginning of the multi-sport competition.
The Don Vicente Rama Memorial Elementary School Drum and Lyre Corps provided an intermission number, preceding the Mr. & Ms. CCO 2025 competition. The opening ceremony concluded with the announcement of the newly crowned Mr. and Ms. Cebu City Olympics 2025.
The event was successfully hosted by Jeffrey Estoy of Labangon Bliss and Glenn Marie Rivas of City Central School, bringing together the community in celebration of youth sports and athletic excellence.
