HOW does the controversy of corruption affect the athletes of the Philippines?
Are they also to be ridiculed because of the chaos and the complaints from the different delegates to even include even some of the Philippine teams who have allegedly experienced inconvenience regarding accommodation, transportation, facility and food to say the least.
But amidst the brouhaha’s of alleged glitches, the concern of the majority (I hope) is the condition of the Philippine athletes who will be competing.
We hope the morale are still high to do their very best on the task at hand.
Many opportunists are using the glitches for their personal and or political agendas as they saw the opportunity to find faults and even invent, to further worsen the situation and somehow align it to attack their rivals who are involved in the SEA GAMES.
This writer is one with many who believes, we as a nation and people should be in unison to make this a success.
Kudos to those who are extending their help to ease the problems like for example the bus company that lent their buses for transportation, to the volunteers who signified to extend their help, to the communities who welcomed our foreign delegates and many others who in one way or the other became part of the event from preparations to actual event and for those who will help wrap up everything.
Sending our prayers and support to Baguio’s very own who will compete in the 30th Southeast Asian Games namely Ezarai Yalong, Abegail Abad, Billy Joel Valenzuela, Elmer Manlapas and Donlee Aliga (ARNIS); Jason Emmanuel Feliciano, Kareel Meer Hongitan (ARCHERY); Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas, Karol Maguide (BOXING); Jarwyn Banatao-(DUATHLON); Helen Dawa (JUDO/KURASH); Jomar Balangui, Renz Dacquel, Jean Claude Saclag, Gina Iniong, and Jerry Olsim (KICKBOXING); Islay Erika Bomogao, Alexis Maya-as, Ariel Lampacan, Jenelyn Olsim, Jerome Calica (Muay Thai); Jedd Andre Kim, Helen Aclopen, Mariane Mariano (SAMBO), Realis Tabiando, Jeordan Dominguez (TAEKWONDO); Sandi Abahan Menchi (OCR); Minalyn Foy-os (WRESTLING); Divine Wally, Gideon Padua (WUSHU/SANDA); Jones Llabres Inso, Daniel Parantac, and Thorton Sayan (WUSHU /TAOLU).
As the battle cry of the Philippines say “WE WIN AS ONE,” we, as a nation and as people could not achieve victory as a divided nation let alone a divided people, Mabuhay and Atletang Pilipino!!