The flame of the Doha 2006 Asian Games is traveling through the Philippine capital Metro Manila Thursday as part of its 50,000 kilometers journey around Asia in the lead up to the 15th Asian Games to be held in the Qatari capital.

The torch relay began at the Rizal Park in central Manila in the morning with a ceremony attended by the son of the head of state of Qatar, Sheikh Jaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the Philippine Sports Commission William Ramirez, the Philippine Olympic Committee President Jose Cojuangco, and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

Philippine Actor Richard Gomez, Equestrian Champion Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, and World Champion Bowler Rafael Nepomuceno were due to run as torchbearer through the city.

The flame came from Busan, South Korea on Oct. 17 and will go to Hiroshima, Japan after Manila relay.

The Doha Asian Games will be held in December in the Qatari capital.

(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2006)