For Richard Gomez, it’s understandable that he aspires for daughter Juliana to do well in the ongoing National Open Fencing Championships, the qualifying meet for national team hopefuls in the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
The young Gomez is competing in the epee women’s category, and during the opening leg of the event, she finished tied for third place to earn a bronze medal and ranking points.
The second leg of women's epee is set Thursday, July 8 at the Superdome in Ormoc City.
“I hope she plays well in the next two legs so she can experience playing for the country in the coming SEA Games,” said Gomez in a message exchange with the Manila Bulletin.
Gomez donned the national team colors for several years, the highlight of which happened when he won a gold medal with the epee men’s squad during the 2005 SEA Games here.
Since then, the actor-sportsman turned to politics. He is currently the mayor of Ormoc City, which is hosting the National Open Fencing Championship for the first time.
Gomez said he gave his daughter advice prior to the event.
“I told her she had enough time to train. She just needs to relax, and play well,” Gomez said. “Enjoy the game. In fencing, you have to observe your opponent. You can’t rush things.”
By finishing tied for third, Juliana Gomez got eight points as she finished behind University of the East’s Jaymi De los Santos, who scored a stunning 15-14 win in the first leg against SEA Games gold medalist Hanniel Abella.