UPDATE (from Marco): Another change in schedule. Seems it will finally happen on Monday July 7, 2008. I’ll keep you posted.

A fellow Filipino, Marcos Antonio Torres has just become one of eight expats to carry the Olympic torch for China. He is the only Filipino by the way who got the second most number of votes with a total of 13,342. Marco will be doing his leg and carry the Olympic torch on July 7, 2008 at Lanzhou in Gansu province. Here’s an update coming from Marco:

First, I want to thank you again for all the support you gave me to the run up to the competition. I wouldn’t have made it without you. The media coverage you provided surely had a great effect on propelling me to the number 2 spot. And, thanks to that, a Filipino will carry the torch again for the first time since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Here is the results page just in case you haven’t seen it. Any other information regarding the torch, you may visit this website.

The above information has info on everything about the torch, i.e. the itinerary, the name of prominent torchbearers like Andy Lau, Jacky Chan, Ian Thorpe, Gabriella Sabatini etc. I’m sure you heard of its controversial world tour particularly in France and the UK. It has been quite peaceful here in China though and much welcomed by thousands of people with singing and dancing.

I want to update you though that I will be doing my leg already on June 25th, 2008 at Lanzhou in Gansu province. It will be an exciting experience complete with a torchbearer’s reception by the city government, a visit to orphanages with kids affected by the earthquake, and many others.

As I would like to share this with the people who voted for me, I would like to inform you that Lenovo and BOCOG says that this can be possible. They said the actual leg can be covered live or footages can be sent on actual time. I am not sure about the mechanics but I can confirm further if you are interested.

Additionally, I am excited to say that I will be keeping the torch I will use. Apparently, its the flame you pass and not the torch, which means I get to keep my torch. I am excited because I plan to return to Manila after I carry the torch, perhaps on the latter part of June which means I can share and show the torch with the rest of our countrymen.

Let me know if you’d like to be a part of it.

All the best,

Marco

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