Are you familiar with the name Aljay Villena? Former AGHAM Party-list Rep. Party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones thinks you should be.
According to Palmones, Villena, a 15-year-old table tennis prodigy, could become the next Filipino Olympic gold medalist especially if he's given the needed support by Philippine sports authorities.
Palmones recently posted on Facebook a congratulatory message for Villena after the latter won a gold medal in the United States (US) Open Table Tennis competitions in California. He said Villena defeated international ranked players in the hardbat tournament.
The ex-congressman later shared to the Manila Bulletin Villena's humble background and the uphill climb that he has had to take for personal and national glory.
"Aljay was nine years old when he started his ragtag training in a warehouse, together with some kids who were motivated to bring pride and honor for the country. His parents were poor farmers in Nueva Ecija, and Aljay’s dream was to give them a farm lot to own," he said.
Palmones said the boy's training involved waking up early to hone his skills while helping clean up a small farm, on top of attending elementary. "I was convinced that this skinny boy will become a world class athlete," he said.
"At 11 years old, he (Villena) ranked third in the 2018 World Open Pingpong Tournament in London. Natalo siya hindi dahil sa edad, laki at galing ng mga dayuhang kalaban, kundi dahil sa lamig ng London (He lost not because of the age, size, or skill of his foreign opponents, but due to the freezing cold weather in London)," Palmones said.
"We appeal to PSC (Philippine Sports Commission), to help Aljay. He can also win medals in the Olympics," added Palmones.
Table Tennis competition has existed in the Summer Olympics since 1988.