Thank you Senator Allan (and) Senator Bong Go for having authored this measure. It is true that sports have a way of building bridges rather than walls.
For the record Mr. President, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation President, Asia Volleyball League President, and International Volleyball EVP “Tats” Suzara, like me, a member of the UP Men’s Varsity Volleyball team. He was ahead by 4 years. Senator Pia Cayetano and I when she was a member of the UP Maroons Women’s Volleyball team in her freshman year as I was a member of the Men’s Volleyball Team in my freshmen year.
And I’m very proud, I watched the games, I was amazed at how far our Men’s Volleyball team have come since 20 plus years ago when I was a volleyball player and we hope that this is the beginning of the Philippines, not just entering placing number 19 but eventually entering not just the semi finals but the finals.
And with the support of the senate, and we will commit to supporting as well as best as we can, the team can be assured that we are here to cheer them on and support them.
On a personal note as well, I used to be asthmatic Mr. President, I was exempted from Physical Education when I was Grade 5 – but it was volleyball. Starting from Grade 8 until my senior year in college that helped me overcome what we call now a person with disability. Asthmatic is considered a person with disability, Mr. President.
For the record, therefore, I join in calling on our colleagues to support this proposed measure.
SENATOR FRANCIS “KIKO” PANGILINAN’S CO-SPONSORSHIP SPEECH FOR P.S. RESO NO. 143 (AS DELIVERED)
