I’d rather watch Caloy Yulo’s star shine ever so bright like the gold medals he won for the country, than Cathy Binag’s threats ever so empty with her 150 plastic USBs which I suspect are just photos and videos of her with Tony Boy Floirendo and close friends on vacation in the US and Europe.
And the reason why mainstream media would not write about it is because it’s simply hogwash and hot air. Yes, the Marcos (inspired) gold has arrived in PH.
And on a positive note, we thank President Bongbong Marcos with his statement that each athlete who has qualified for the Olympics. Hence, PBBM has instructed PAGCOR’s Al Tengco to give each athlete P1 million, and the OP would match with another P1 million.
In addition, the coaching staff would receive P500 thousand each. In addition, the President has pledged full support to all our athletes who would compete in future Olympics in the hope of winning more gold for the country.
In his speech, the President reiterated his desire to be a major participant to the development of sports in the country, disheartened over the fact that our athletes have practically done this on their own with little support from the government which needs to be improved even further.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is at the forefront of the support and development of Filipino athletes in preparation for their participation in future Olympics. In addition, the Philippine Sports Commission headed by its chairman Richard ‘Dickie’ Bachmann, would, under his leadership, make that much-needed change and improvement for our athletes.
The Bachmanns were our neighbors in San Lorenzo Village in the 70s, if my memory serves me right. From a recent official statement, he said these inspiring words: “The Paris Olympics has officially ended and we reached new heights in Philippine sports history.
We cannot imagine the joy flowing through every Filipino as the country secured two golds and two bronze medals – the highest number we’ve ever received. These medals are just one part of the legacy we’ve built.” Animo! And perhaps, next Olympics, we will be seeing more Filipino athletes than POC officials during their parade on opening day.
But of course, we remember our other athletes who have won medals as well from their own sport. Great Filipino athletes like boxer Teofilo Yldefonso who won a bronze medal during the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, and then another bronze again for the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles; Simeon Toribio (athletics) who won a bronze also in the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles; boxer Jose Villanueva who won a bronze medal in 1932 also in Los Angeles; Miguel White (athletics) for a bronze in 1936 in Berlin; boxer Anthony Villanueva, silver in Tokyo; boxer Leopoldo Serrantes, for a bronze in Seoul; boxer Roel Velasco for a bronze in 1992 in Barcelona; boxer Onyok Velasco for a silver in 1996 in Atlanta;
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz for a silver in 2016 in Brazil, and then a gold in 2020 in Tokyo; boxer Nesthy Petecio who won a silver in 2020 in Tokyo; boxer Carlo Paalam for a silver in Tokyo in 2020; boxer Eumir Marcial for a bronze in Tokyo in 2020; and last but not the least Carlos Yulo for two golds in 2024 in Paris.
As we share this glory and national pride, we thank the President for his support to our athletes and to Philippine sports in general. Here’s to more gold in the future. Credit goes not only to the President, but also to the athletes and to the love and support of a grateful nation.
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My program “Leslie Bocobo Live!” will finally have its first airing today, August 15 1:00-2:00PM via government station Radyo Pilipinas 738 Khz AM band. My very first guest will be none other than Madam Secretary Katrina Ponce Enrile, Administrator and CEO of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA). We will be discussing current events, news, and the latest stories people are currently talking about these days.
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Random Memorandum: Ildefonso Tronqued Sr. was a renowned athlete and a prominent football player who was a member of the Philippine team that competed in the 1921 and 1927 Asian Games. He was also recognized as one of the best football trainers and referees and a member of the Federacion Internacionale de Football Association.
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Factoid: The President of the Philippines is the Head of State governing the country. He/she runs the office in the Malacañang Palace. Upon election, whether by a majority of Filipinos or otherwise, gives the President a 6-year term beginning at noon on the 30th day of June and ends at noon of the same date 6 years thereafter.
(Leslie Bocobo is a former Special Assistant to the Secretary at the Office of the Press Secretary, Malacañang, and a former Public Affairs Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources)
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