EDITORS DESK
Ramon Bonilla
As President Duterte marches out of Malacañang in less than a month, it is worth noting that for the past six years he had delivered his promises for the athletes. Name it — from spanking new stadiums, eye-dropping budget for training and international exposures, and the cash incentives these Filipino bets had savored for every moment of celebration, the man at the helm stood to his oath and never trembled through the scenes of struggles and victory.
Last Tuesday, the winners from the 31st Southeast Asian Games made an appearance before the President, with the podium finishers rewarded with the Order of Lapu-Lapu for their brave acts in Hanoi and also a lofty sum for the medals they bagged home. Under the law, each athlete is entitled to ₱300,000 for an individual gold, ₱150,000 for silver, and ₱60,000 for the bronze medal. The country finished fourth in Vietnam with a collection of 52-70-105 for a massive total haul of 227 medals.
The courtesy call might be the last for the national teams to see under the leadership of Duterte. To spice up the night of recognition and as a tradition for every sporting achievement during his term, the President doubled the cash bonuses for the athletes, making gymnast Carlos Yulo, the most bemedalled among the Filipino bets with a harvest of five gold and two silver medals, ₱3.2 million richer.
One could envy the monetary windfall, or the fame that an athlete — of Yulo’s caliber and Hidilyn Diaz’s stature as the world’s best — could enjoy once he steps into the spotlight. But these triumphs are real-life proof that hard work will pay off if years of dedication are factored in with substantial and consistent government support.
The Philippine Sports Commission, functioning under the Office of the President, took care of the athletes’ welfare through the lead-up of every big tournament in the calendar. With William “Butch” Ramirez steering the wheel and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino as his partner, the athletes shifted all their attention to training and the sports agency minding the business for the huge expenses on the bill especially for foreign trips.
It all came into fruition the past years, with the country winning its first Olympic gold medal courtesy of Diaz, and producing high quality athletes in Yulo, EJ Obiena and the national boxers, all winners in their respective fields. When the nation hosted the 2019 SEA Games, the athletes sprung to the top with a harvest of 149 gold medals, the highest achievement for the national team in the history of the Games. To celebrate the huge victory, the hometown bets basked in a moment of great pride at the New Clark City, then a brand new sports complex that houses the world-class athletics stadium and aquatics center.
These athletes would fight until the end, without the hint of big rewards in mind, nor the dream of a face-to-face encounter with the President after the mission was served. As we give applause to the Filipinos that made us proud, let us all remember the people that made them the winners of today.
Duterte, Ramirez, the sports leaders, the coaches on the sidelines and the support staff deserve to be recognized in every way possible as they were vital instruments in every making of a Filipino champion.
(Ramon Rafael C. Bonilla is the head of Sports section of Manila Bulletin.)