I’ve certainly had enough of the natural disasters that plagued humanity this year, from the aftermath of last year’s tsunami to Hurricane Katrina, to the earthquake in Central Asia and many others that were not sensationalized by the media. I’m very much hoping that 2005 would go out the back door peacefully.
It has been a good year to be Filipino, though, athletically at least. Manny Pacquiao is in the top ranks of the Boxing world, exciting us with his great fights all year. As I write this, the Philippines is enjoying the view from the top as it continues to rake in gold medals, currently at 53, 21 medals away from it’s closest competitor, Vietnam at 32. The Philippines is now with a total of 121 medals and 99 for Vietnam. Thailand is close at third with 112 medals, 27 of them gold.
Now, except for the spectacular opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics, there hasn’t really been a reason for Filipinos to stay glued to their TV sets during the Games. Onyok Velsquez’s sad loss to the Pole in Atlanta still stirs up a bitter memory every now and then. For the past two Games, the Philippines has brought home nothing.
In the 2002 Asian Games, there was the shocking loss of the Philippine basketball team to the Koreans in the last few seconds as their player threw the ball one last desperate time and in a merciless twist of fate snatched the victory away from the Filipino cagers. Their morale spiraled to such unimaginable depths that we didn’t even bag the bronze.
But this year, is the athletic year of the Filipino. As the host of the 23rd South East Asian Games, it is now the Pinoy’s time to shine, to prove to its neighbors that despite the many different crises it is facing today, it can still hold his head high in the face of its economically stronger neighbors.
It was actually very difficult for the Thais and Vietnamese to grasp the idea that Filipinos can actually be this good. They have probably been used to identifying Filipinos with screwing up that any legit victory would HAVE to be rigged.
Any true blooded Filipino would be offended. Notice the counter attacks made by Pinoys on the message boards. http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=237552
It is expected that losing teams would make protests over the results and even go as far as accusing the winning team of cheating. But from such a highly esteemed person as the Prime Minister you’d expect a more responsible attitude.
In the midst of this uproar, I am affirming my full support to the Philippine team. I am first and foremost a Filipino. I have watched the games and have seen the awesome performances of our athletes. Every ounce of gold, silver and bronze is well deserved.
National economic might has nothing to do with it. Imperial benevolence has nothing to do with it. Annual tourism arrivals has nothing to do with.
In this arena , it is the heart that has got to do with it.
Our athletes just went in there and did it.
Nothing can take it away from them. Nothing can take it away from the Filipino.
