We are back

We are back

AND we’re back.

We have surpassed the feat of 2005 with this year’s domination of the 30th SEA Games, and we have returned as the best in Southeast Asia.

Our medal tally as of this writing, 137 gold medals, 84 silvers and 107 bronzes is a result of everybody’s hard work and commitment to regain sports glory. After claiming just 23 gold medals in 2017, we have more than tripled our gold haul this year.

From the athletes, coaches, private, and government organizations, everyone was willing to accomplish the goal at hand. “Buy-In” into the directions and goals and leadership set by the Philippine Sports Commission was a crucial element into this resurgence. With everybody on the same page, it was indeed an inevitable outcome.

This SEA Games also had its highlights and memorable moments:

• Swimmer James Deiparine who broke the 10-year gold medal drought in swimming by winning the 100m breaststroke with his record-breaking 1:1.46 swim.

• Sprinter Kristina Knott breaks the 33-year-old women’s 200m sprint with 23.07 eclipsing the 23.35 of Lydia de Vega established in 1986.

• Men’s Volleyball team who upset 4-peat seeking Thailand in their semis showdown. Setting them as a potential threat in SEA volleyball.

• Surfer Roger Casugay- saving a fellow surfer from drowning and forgoing a chance at gold.

• The entire nation cheering for East-Timor as they try to win medals.

These are true human stories of triumph, making this 30th edition one for the books.

As we end a decade of sports participation, this new feat is the dawning of a modern-day Philippine sports. It is with great hope that we see this as the beginning of a new culture in Philippine sports. A culture where values are at its core. Values of our identity, in what we stand for as a nation. Values that help define what it is to bear the name Filipino. Humble in victory, gracious in defeat and a true brother and sister in the whole Southeast Asian region.

We end the SEA Games, not only restoring sports glory but eventually restoring national pride and dignity. True to the slogan, when aligned towards a common goal, We Win as One.

Notes from the sidelines:

Today, December 11, is the also the last day of the SEA Games, and we hope that the last medal added to the tally will be the men’s basketball gold for our 18th SEA Games basketball title.

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