Pinay athletes ‘empowered, respected, recognized’ in 2018 Asian Games — Pangilinan

September 3, 2018

Congratulations to all athletes and medalists, especially our women champions, for a great fight at the 2018 Asian Games.

With 4 golds, 2 silvers, and 15 bronzes under our belt, this is the Philippines’ best showing since 2006. It is made even more notable when 15 of the 25 medalists are women, truly proving the grace and strength of the Filipina. This is where women should be — empowered, respected, and recognized for their worth and abilities. Not disrespected by blatant misogyny especially from public officials.

While we are celebrating, it is also important to understand the results of this Asian Games. Given the failure to achieve the Top 15 finish target of the Philippines Sports Commission, where is the room for improvement? How can we better assist our athletes? Was the government able to provide support, not only during the Games, but also for the campaign toward it? Are our sports programs still up to date and is able to make the Philippine athlete be more competitive?

They say women hold up half the sky. In the 2018 Asian Games, Filipino women athletes carried more than half at three-fifths. Congratulations once again, at mabuhay ang mga atletang Pilipino!

Pagpupugay sa lahat ng atleta at nagwaging Pilipino, lalo na sa mga kampeong kababaihan, para sa isang mahusay na laban ngayong 2018 Asian Games.

Mayroon tayong 4 na gold, 2 silver, at 15 bronze. Ito na ang pinakamaraming medalya na naiuwi ng Pilipinas mula 2006. Mas nakakabilib pa na 15 sa 25 na nagkamit ng medalya ay mga babae, pagpapatunay ng giting at lakas ng Pilipina. Nandito dapat ang mga kababaihan — binibigyang kakayahan, nirerespeto, at kinikilala dahil sa kanilang halaga at abilidad. Hindi binabastos, lalo na ng mga opisyal ng pamahalaan.

Habang ipinagdiriwang natin ang kanilang pagkapanalo, mahalaga ring pag-aralan ang resulta ng Asian Games. Dahil hindi natin nakamit ang layunin ng Philippine Sports Commission na makapasok sa Top 15, may kailangan bang ipagbuti? Paano pa natin mabibigyang tulong ang ating mga atleta? Nagawa ba ng pamahalaang bigyan ng suporta ang ating mga atleta, hindi lamang noong mismong Games, kundi pati bago ito? Napapanahon pa ba ang ating mga programa para sa sports, at kaya pa ba nitong gawing globally competitive ang mga atletang Pinoy?

Sabi nila, pasan ng mga kababaihan ang kalahati ng langit. Sa 2018 Asian Games, higit sa kalahati o 3/5 ang pasan ng mga Pilipina. Muli, aming pagpupugay, at mabuhay ang mga atletang Pilipino!