As soon as Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez got his RT-PCR test result that yielded positive for COVID-19, he coordinated with the personnel that organized last week’s National Open Fencing Championships at the Ormoc City Superdome.
Amat Canlas, head coach of the national team, said that Gomez ordered the Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) – where he is the president – to conduct quick contact tracing since majority of the participants during the weeklong meet were from Metro Manila.
“Nag-sabi na agad si Mayor Gomez na mag-contact tracing, isolate and if may nararamdaman magpa-swab test. Actually maski walang nararamdaman mas maganda na magpa-swab test para malaman,” said Canlas when contacted Saturday, July 17 by Manila Bulletin.
“So far, kagaya kaming mga national team coaches na nandito pa din sa Ormoc City, negative naman kami. Even yung tatlong members ng national team na nandito din, negative results.”
“May mga nagpa-test na din na nakabalik na ng Metro Manila... negative din naman ang resulta. We have to continue practicing all the health protocol, lalo na yung pag-wear ng face mask.”
Gomez, also the second Vice President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), confirmed Saturday that he tested positive for the coronavirus disease, but only with mild symptoms.
The city government of Ormoc hosted the 2021 National Open, which also served as a qualifying tournament for the national team intended for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
However, since the 31st SEA Games has been cancelled this year, and moved to early next year, Gomez said that the PFA will organize another selection meet for the SEA Games possibly starting in February.
The top four fencers during the National Open Fencing Championships in the three weapons – foil, sabre and epee – for the men’s and women’s categories are national team members for 2021.
These are foil’s Nathaniel Perez, Samuel Tranquilan, Jaime Viceo and Michael Nicanor for men’s, Samantha Catantan, Maxine Esteban, Wilhelmina Lozada and Justine Gail Tinio for women’s.
In epee are Noelito Jose Jr., Lee Eigran Ergina, Jian Miguel Bautista and Darryle Joshua Lumahan for men’s, Jaymi Delos Santos, Andrea Jennelle Matias, Mickyle Rein Bustos and Hanniel Abella.
In sabre are CJ Concepcion, Donnie Arth Navarro, Sandro Antonio Sia and Eunice Daniel Villanueva for men’s, Jylyn Nicanor, Queen Denise Dalmacio, Allaine Nicole Cortey and Kimberley Camahalan.