Abalayan: Love for flag and country

Abalayan: Love for flag and country

HEARING the Philippine national anthem while a Filipino athlete stands on top of the podium after winning his or her event in an international competition gives us so much pride and honor.

But the sweet taste of victory is not won overnight. Every gold medal or every championship is but the fruit borne from months and years of painstakingly honing one's craft and conditioning one's mind, body, and spirit in rigorous daily training.

Every time I get to witness such raising of the Philippine flag to honor the gallantry of the Filipino athlete, I usually get goosebumps all over and shed tears of joy. Such times are precious and priceless.

Love for the flag and country is what keeps Filipino athletes going amid bashers, haters, controversies, and life's daily challenges.

Others might say they are there for the money, for the allowance or cash incentives, and the glory. It's their opinion anyway.

But I have been chronicling athletes for over two decades now and what never stops to amaze me is their sheer grit and indomitable spirit. Even if the odds are against them, they always find a way to fight back, recover, and come back stronger every time - not only on the field, court, gym, or ring but also in the race of life. For that alone, I salute them and respect them.

It is the same respect I have for our country's star pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena whose battle with his mother association, Patafa, has turned for the worst. A court trial looms unless somebody they both respect and trust intervene.

"Ako ay atletang Pilipino. Tumatalon ako para sa Pilipinas at sa lahat ng aking kababayan," EJ posted on his official Facebook page on January 5, 2022. It was a long read but that line summed it all up. He is a Filipino athlete who plays for the country and for his fellow Filipinos. He competes for you and for me, including those who kept on putting him down.

EJ, who has dedicated all his life to be better at his sport so his mother country can be proud of him, does not deserve to be ejected from the national team at just a whim of an angry sports official who didn't even give him due process. The same association who stood proud, high, and mighty whenever EJ brings home a title or surpasses national and Asian records now wants him gone in a flash as if he is good for nothing.

Hoping that this matter of great concern in Philippine sports is resolved as soon as possible. We trust Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez to help all parties - EJ, Patafa, and the Philippine Olympic Committee reconcile for the good of the flag and country.

Sir Butch has recently called on parties involved to resolve the matter like real sportsmen. We look forward to that. After all, we already lost Yuka Saso. We can't afford to lose EJ, too.

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