Editorial

By December 17, 2019Editorial, News

Pangasinan can win bigger and more

LAST week, our Punchline suggested the staging of PANGASINAN GAMES by the provincial government if it is its vision to be the powerhouse of athletes, players and sportsmen and sportswomen in the country.

The medal haul of athletes in the 30th SEA Games and the strong finish of athletes with roots in Pangasinan are strong indicators of the province’s capabilities to be one. 

Among the names that made strong recall were Carlos Yulo with family roots in Alcala, Agatha Fernandez Wong in Dagupan City, Pauline Louise Lopez in Sta. Barbara, CJ Perez in Bautista, Jason Perkins in Bolinao. Many other players with roots in Pangasinan were part of teams (cycling, baseball, swimming, tracks, archery, karatedo etc.) that won in many games.

The question that House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano asked during his closing remarks: “Gusto ba natin na gawing priority ang sports?” was a timely question.  Paraphrasing his question: Do we want Pangasinan to be Number 1 in sports?

The province already prides itself in having the first or among the first to have a sports academy. With the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center at the provincial government’s disposal, Pangasinan would already be at least 3 steps ahead of other provinces to be a sports powerhouse. 

We suggest that such a dream and a vision be closely studied with a commitment to support the vision with ample logistics.

Work as one, win as one

INDEED, if we work as one, we win as one.  That became obvious after our overall victory in the just-ended 30th SEA Games under the sterling stewardship of House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.  Government agencies, private supporters, sports officials, volunteers, trainers and, most of all, our athletes themselves worked in unison to ensure success.  In 48 of 56 disciplines that featured 500-plus events, our 1,000-plus warriors scooped up gold for the highest winning percentage ever recorded by any country in the 60-year history of the Games.  Our winning margin of 51 gold over runner-up Vietnam was also a record, making the Philippines’ 149 gold the most ever in the 11-nation event. We are now also 2-2 (win-loss) hosting-wise as we also triumphed in 2005 after finishing third in 1981 and second in 1991.  Yes, we can as the Filipino stands tall and proud again on the world sporting stage.  Cheers!

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