DUTERTE SENDS OFF PH OLYMPIANS
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 18 Jul 2016
The decades-long tradition that was interrupted for six years will be re-lived today when newly-installed President Rodrigo "Digong" Duterte presides over the send off ceremony for the Rio de Janeiro-bound Filipino athletes competing in the Olympic Games August 5 to 21 in that Brazilian premier City.
President Digong is definitely coming to the 2:30 p.m. ceremony in Malacanan.
"Yeah, the President is coming to personally wish our athletes good luck and boost their morale," Philippine Sport Commission commissioner Charles Maxey assured last Thursday when he appeared as guest at the SCOOP On Air episode of daily program Tropang Bistag aired over rdio station DZEC.
Maxey said it was special presidential assistant Bong Go who informed PSC Chair Butch Ramirez of President Duterte's presence in the send off rites.
"President Digong loves our athletes knowing that they, among others, have been serving as our country's saving grace from the negative publicities we've been getting overseas," Maxey added.
All presidents from President Manuel Quezon down to Gloria Maxcapagal-Arroyo had made it one of their duties to send off and welcome national sports delegations leaving and returning the country to carry the Philippine flag to and from all international competitions as the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and Olympic Games.
A tradition broken by ex-President Benigno Aquino III in the six years of his administration making him the only Chief of State who failed to do so.
Only six of the 10 Filipino Olympic hopefuls will be on hand though to receive President DU-30's blessing -- Ian Lariba in tabe tennis, Elaine Alora in taekwondo, Miguel Tabuena in golf, Maristella Torres in athletics and Hydeline Diaz and Gregorio Colonia in weightlifting as the four others who have so far earned their tickets are still training overseas in preparation for the Rio joust.
They are marathoner Mary Jay Tabal, boxers Rodel Ladon and Charlie Suarez, hurdler Ericson Cray, who are all in the United States and will fly to Rio from there.
No one from the PSC could be contacted however the whole day yesterday by members of the POC-PSC Media Group whether they can cover the Malacanan proceedings although POC vice president Joey Romasanta told this writer it is most-likely they won't be allowed.
"TV-5 personnel have been calling us here in the POC asking how they can cover the event since the network is the official carrier of the Games," Romasanta said. "As in previous occasions it's the Palace which decides on the matter."
"Sabi ko na lang, magtiis na muna at least after six years eh makikita na ng ating mga ang ating Pangulo na matagal na nating di nararanasan," he said rather kiddingly.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
The Scariest Division in Boxing
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 01 Nov 2024"Worcester Championship Boxing" Official Weights
Fri, 01 Nov 2024SCHOFIELD VS. TELLEZ GIRON FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 01 Nov 2024WEIGHTS FROM ORLANDO FLORIDA
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Team USA Sends Five Boxers to the World Boxing U19 Championship Finals and a Chance at Gold
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Press Conference Notes: Robson Conceição and O'Shaquie Foster Promise to Settle Rivalry in Saturday's World Title Rematch
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Undefeated bantamweight prospect Dominique “Dimes” Crowder Ready to cash in on The Boardwalk
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Kevin Arquero rules 3rd Fide Master Angelito Z. Camer Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 31 Oct 2024Plania stops Julio in 3rd round
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 31 Oct 2024MARIO "EL AZTECA" BARRIOS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Thu, 31 Oct 2024Mama fails to win WBO NABO fly
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 31 Oct 2024Top Rank Presents Junior Lightweight World Championship: Robson Conceição vs. O'Shaquie Foster 2
Thu, 31 Oct 2024Membership of World Boxing rises to 51 National Federations after it approves applications from seven more countries
Thu, 31 Oct 2024Malik Scott in Zurdo Ramirez’ corner
Thu, 31 Oct 2024GM Daniel Quizon favorite in the Kamatyas Rapid Open chess tournament in Isabela
Thu, 31 Oct 2024