SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
Proposed Senate Resolution No. 210: Commending and congratulating the Philippine contingent to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games
Mr. President, it is with great pleasure and utmost pride that I sponsor Proposed Senate Resolution No. 210 commending and congratulating the Philippine contingent for ably representing the country in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand and for winning 50 gold, 73 silver and 154 bronze medals.
Team Philippines composed of its largest-ever delegation of 1,600 athletes and officials managed to secure fourth place in terms of biggest medal output of 276 (out of the 11 participating countries) and ranked sixth place finish overall.
This may not be the outcome that we all wanted, especially when we look at the 2023 SEA Games results where the Philippines stood at 5th place, and the 2021 edition when Team Pilipinas ranked fourth.
But the latest SEA Games campaign is worth celebrating – especially given the historic milestones achieved by our dedicated flag-bearers, and the reported challenges and hurdles they had to overcome from flip-flopping player eligibility rules, questionable officiating in crucial matches – especially in boxing, and even food poisoning. By all accounts, the fight was inarguably not easy.
Sa harap ng lahat ng ito, inilaban ng ating mga magigiting na atleta ang ating bansa, at ipinakitang hindi basta-basta mapapatumba ang mga Pilipino. Dahil sa kanilang masigasig na pagpupursige, hindi matatawarang determinasyon, nag-aalab na puso at pagmamahal sa bayan, nabigyan nila tayo ng karangalan at inspirasyon na kaya nating magtagumpay ano pa man ang balakid at pagsubok.
Kudos to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) headed by its president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino who gave all-out support to the delegation and wore many hats in Thailand – lead campaigner, principal cheerleader, and at least in one instance, a photographer. We also acknowledge the early Christmas bonus and additional allowances, among other much needed backing, provided by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) led by Chairperson Pato Gregorio to the Philippine contingent during their sendoff.
Sa gitna ng batikos at frustration ng marami, maganda po ang sinabi nila patungkol sa naging performance ng national teams. Let me echo and place on record a portion of the statement of the POC:
- We won the hardest golds to get: double gold in basketball – the sport closest to the Filipino heart; we clinched first-ever golds in football and beach volleyball. We successfully defended historic dominance in softball and baseball.
- We also ruled in Olympic events. We dominated in team sports. We broke historic records. We ruled in sports popular to countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and even Malaysia.
- The athletes proved that the grassroots program is working, turning Youth Games silver hardware into SEA Games gold.
Gilas Pilipinas men’s and women’s team sealed their regional supremacy in the beloved sport, with the men’s team capturing our 20th overall championship title.
The RP Blu Boys and Blu Girls, the national softball teams, completed a golden sweep in their respective disciplines, with the women’s team keeping its 46-year winning streak since 1979.
Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball team earned the breakthrough gold and ended Thailand’s uninterrupted 22-year reign in the sport.
Filipinas, the national women’s football team, bagged a historic gold and triumphed against powerhouse teams of five-time champion Thailand and eight-time titleholder Vietnam.
This representation also filed separate proposed Senate Resolution numbers 246, 247, 248 and 249 to recognize the aforementioned team achievements, which are all taken into consideration under the proposed Senate Resolution.
We should not forget the stellar achievements of tennis superstar Alex Eala who ended the 26-year drought in tennis by winning the country’s first gold since 1999.
Two-time Olympian EJ Obiena clinched his 4th consecutive SEA Games gold in pole vault and set a new regional record.
The Philippine men’s baseball team reasserted their dominance by winning their third consecutive gold.
Athletics emerged as the best performing contingent who delivered five gold medals, the practical shooting squad won four golds; while gymnastics, modern pentathlon, swimming, and triathlon teams delivered 3 golds each.
Our delegates and teams in ten-pin bowling, boxing, canoe and rowing, e-sports, extreme skateboard, ice skating, jiu-jitsu ne-waza, judo, ring low-kick kickboxing, muay, taekwondo, weightlifting, windsurfing, freestyle wrestling, and wushu also delivered much coveted golds to the country’s medal haul and further elevated the country’s overall standing.
This representation respectfully seeks the support of our dear colleagues towards the adoption of this resolution celebrating the steadfast resilience, hard work, and exemplary sportsmanship of our gallant athletes, officials, and support staff who represented the country in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Congratulations! Thank you for making us proud in the biennial sports meet, and for bringing immense pride and honor to the country.
Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!
Thank you, Mr. President.