Aeta athletes can eye medals again
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 13 Apr 2019
FIRST, there was the happy news that a team composed of our Aeta brothers was training and competing in races of the Pilipinas Obstacle Race Federation (PORF).
A crew of self-made Aeta athletes from the Villa Maria Integrated School in Porac, Pampanga competed in the five-kilometer PORF obstacle race, where they made a mark.
The event was supposed to be the first of four national team qualifying competitions.
Unfortunately, Obstacle Race was next scratched from this year?s Southeast Asian Games calendar, and relegated to mere demonstration sport.
It was a letdown, but the Aeta team refused to disintegrate.
**
In fact, Alliance Philippines, which has been supporting the endeavors of our Aeta brothers, turned obstacle race into a hunting ground; at the same time giving Aeta athletes the chance to excel in the sport and improve their skills.
The idea was to let them discover new opportunities, while supporting them until they make it to the obstacle race national pool.
The goal of aiming for medals was momentarily set aside.
Then came the great news. Obstacle Course has been restored as a regular event in this year?s 30th Southeast Asian Games.
?Six events that will be held in an obstacle course have been restored following the acceptance of Laos as a fourth country to join the competition,? reported Peter Atencio of Manila Standard.
Laos managed to field athletes in the obstacle course, thereby joining early entries from Thailand, Myanmar and host Philippines.
**
There naturally has been excited focus on the involvement of our Aeta brothers in the national team tryouts. There had been nothing of this sort in the past three hosting by Philippines of the SEA Games.
If at all, the Aeta involvement in the national endeavor should also help open the eyes of the government and other concerned sectors to the pitiful plight of Aeta communities down the dry and dreary Capas mountain side.
A recent special feature on PTV-4 showed how these poor luckless people exist thru primitive means, spending lightless nights in their bare cave-like abode.
Marlon Pia, selfless civic worker and operations director of Operation Liwanag deserves praise and support for anchoring a TV special that bared the impossible existence of these neglected people, who have no electricity in their localities.
Here?s hoping the presence and involvement of our Aeta brothers in the SEA Games team selection would help these poor people gain invaluable support from concerned sectors.
It?s hard to imagine how these luckless souls manage, mainly in dark lonely nights when they rely on nothing but burning bamboo poles for night light.
Maybe Alliance Philippines and other advocates could send a team to investigate, and possibly help out.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026