INSPIRED by the words of President Marcos Jr. last Monday, members of the national team are exuding confidence as they prepare to do battle in 10 days in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
“Handang-handa na ako for the gold medal!” gushed 2021 SEA Games bronze medalist and Philippine Vovinam team member Emmanuel Cantores. “Salamat sa mga sports officials natin, kasama si President Bongbong Marcos na nagpakita ng suporta sa aming mga atleta, kaya ganadong-ganado akong lumaban para sa bayan!”
“Napakasaya pong pakinggan na ang ating Presidente ay very supportive po sa aming mga atletang Pilipino. Isa po iyon sa mga motivations po namin sa team,” said two-time SEA Games gold medalist Phillip Delarmino, who will vie for another gold medal in the Cambodia martial art of Kun Bokator.
“Ang goal lagi is to aim for the gold and for the best. Hopefully, this is the year that we can bring that gold. Good luck sa ating lahat. Gawin natin ang best natin at lahat ng ating makakaya. Laban Pilipinas!” aid national karateka Ricca Torres, who is out to improve on her two bronze medal finishes in previous games.
They are among the 840-member Philippine delegation that was feted with a send-off party last Monday at the International Convention Center, with Marcos being the guest of honor.
In his message, Marcos wished the Philippine contingent good luck, telling them: “One of the greatest pleasures I have found, being the leader, is to be able to give honor and to recognize, hopefully to inspire, and to provide support to our athletes, who are in fact our ambassadors in sport and play a very, very important part beyond just their participation in such important sporting events.
“If there is anything more that this government can do, that this administration can do, that I personally can do, please make sure to tell me because we are all rooting for you.
And we all want to do everything that we can do to make you as successful as you possibly can in your chosen events,” added Marcos.
The country’s No. 1 sports fan expressed optimism the Filipino bets have what it takes to surpass their haul of 52 gold, 70 silver and 105 bronze medals, good for fourth overall in the 11-nation meet, in last year’s Vietnam SEA Games.
PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann expressed gratitude to the President for the overwhelming support given to the athletes, saying: “It’s always good that the President and the country support our athletes. That’s a good morale booster and hopefully we all do well compared to last year. We’re all praying for that.”
“The PSC is behind all our national athletes. All the commissioners and myself will be there to watch all the games,” said Bachmann, who is in his first major international games as PSC chief.
Team Philippines, whose participation is bankrolled by the PSC to the tune of P300 million, will vie in 38 sports disciplines from May 5 to 17.
