BY JOVE!

SEA GAMES 2005 (Day 6)

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Ano ba talaga, Kuya?

(“Kuya” being Thailand. And, well, because the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of the Philippines have always been regarded as the “almost twin” nations of the Southeast Asian region. Our economies have always been compared and people usually mistake Thais as Pinoys and Pinoys as Thais because of the way the citizens from both nations look “alike”.) download Stir Crazy movie

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Just when everyone thought that the SEA Games intrigue between the two countries was over, hindi pa pala.

A day after Thailand Olympic Committee Secretary General Charouk Arirachakaran apologized for the hurt feelings brought about by a mess that they attributed to a case of getting misquoted by the media… someone who is in Bangkok threw what I can only describe in tagalog as: “pasimpleng batok na nakakasakit”.

Surapong Suebwonglee, a spokesman of the Thai government told Reuters that:

“As the host country, we will be good hosts and guarantee fair play in order to upgrade regional sports into international standards…”

And…

“The host must extend a good welcome to visitors and have fairness in mind…”

Smooth upper cut, huh?

A profuse apology and then another punch. All in less than 24 hours. Are they still protesting or not?

Again, ano ba talaga Kuya?

The whole day I’ve been reading pertinent and related on line items about the mess. I also conversed with people who are in the know about politics and sports in Thailand.

Rep. Joey Salceda already expounded on the theory that politics is behind the statements made by Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra about our hosting of the SEAG. But when I asked around, I think that Joey’s theory may have basis after all. Well, at least in the eyes and minds of keen observers in Bangkok.

It’s all in the timing they said. The timing’s questionable. The day that Thaksin opened his mouth about the SEAG was the day he broke his self imposed rule of not saying anything to the media. Many are puzzled that he suddenly was up to saying a mouthful. Many suspect that the PM may have wanted to veer the attention of the Thai media and people away from the negative news hounding his leadership. Someone texted me, and enumerated the supposed woes of Thaksin: corruption allegations and dirty business dealings. I also scanned THE NATION’s on line site and there’s an item there about Thaksin’s ratings going down.

(Aba, pati sa situation ng respective leaders, kambal ang Pilipinas at Thailand?)

The latest tirade from Bangkok came as Malacanang declared that it wants to forget the mess brought about by the remarks earlier made by the Thai leaders… and move on.

President Arroyo and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye want everyone to train their focus on supporting our athletes in their quest for glory. (Kailan babalik sa mga sporting venues si Ate Glo?)

Anyways, let us wait for the arrival of Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister today, Saturday. He may have with him “an official” statement, that may clarify matters once and for all.

Personal:
Since the day I started this SEA Games series I have been quite fair in presenting the facts from both sides, I will continue to do so. But at this point allow me to express my opinion about the issue. Just like many of my pals and kababayans (here and abroad, including in Thailand)… yeah, I am irked. As I’ve been saying in my past entries, I believe that if there were irregularities, then something should be done to correct them. I am one with everyone in condemning cheating. Pinoy or not pinoy, they should be held accountable for their bad deeds. But I am not irked so much (though yeah, I am irked about it too) by the fact that the Thai leaders (not the Thai people in general, okay, it is not about that) are expressing their doubts about the results of the Games. We all have the right to feel robbed. My problem with this issue is the way these Thai leaders are expressing their opinion. Pasimple, eh. Let me explain. You know this scene: a group of kids playing, one kid hits (binatukan) another kid from behind, and when the kid that got hit turns around, the kid who hit him, pretends he’s not the culprit. That’s my problem eh, pasimple, bakit di direchahin? Why not directly say what your problem is, straight to the face of the party concerned? It is like getting a black eye from a hit and you are left to ponder or to read between the lines… “why”? It is so childish. This is the SEA GAMES and this isn’t child’s play. The fate of a nation striving hard to achieve honor despite our many woes, is at stake. The honor of our athletes is being trampled upon in the process. If you have a problem with us, then tell it to us straight and then let the process work.

That said…
I am happy to declare that as of 11pm, we are still leading the medal tally with 74 gold 52 silver and 57 bronze medals. T.A.C.T.I.C.A.L. full movie

Man on Fire

Our athletes in events like equestrienne, shooting, billiards, swimming, martial arts and rowing delivered the gold medal harvest today.

Most memorable moment was Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski’s falling off her horse but continuing her event, never giving up until she cleared her path. Her team won gold for the country.

165 gold medals are still up for grabs from tomorrow until Monday. But the crucial day, as I reported days ago, is still this SUNDAY, where the 100 gold medals waiting to be taken by winners, will surely spell the difference in the over all standing.

Our closest competitor, so far is VIETNAM with 47 gold medals hanging on their necks. Thailand is the third placer so far.

Brightest hopes this Sunday? Our boxers. Seven pinoy boxers qualified for the finals. Would you believe, mas madami Filipino women boxers ang nakapasok sa boxing finals?

So again, GO TEAM PHILIPPINES!

Don’t get demoralized by the hurtful and insulting remarks of some leaders. Use them as “agimat” para ganahan kayo lalo na lumaban.

And to all of us: let us shift our focus…from the intrigue … to our athletes. They need our support.

Three days to go!

(sorry folks, no links and pictures for this entry, this is just a quick update, am not feeling well, and i need to rest para maka cheer ako this weekend for TEAM PHILIPPINES)

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MALACANANG

The Mendiola gate is now wide open.

The barbed wires, the barricade and the container vans were moved elsewhere.

I easily got inside the palace, without the PSG “harassing” me with repetitive ID checks and inane questions like “Saan pumupunta ang media sa loob? Saan ang office ninyo sa Mabini ba? May presscon ba sa loob?”

Malacanang is no longer FORT MALACANANG. At least in the meantime. PSG Chief Delfin Bangit himself admitted today that if they will get word that groups are planning to “take over” the palace from the administration, they will bring back the barricades and apply maximum security again.

Sec. Bunye declared that the easing up of the security in the whole palace complex is because 1) the tensed political situation already eased up (whoah, tapos na pala!) and 2) this is a good way of ushering the Christmas season.

Merry Xmas!

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KESO (Rep. Chiz Escudero)

Chiz…. Congratulations for being one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) this year. At least ha, nagkita na kayo ng Ninang ninyo ni Christine sa Malacanang. Your trademark impish smile (or was that “kilig”? Para kang kinikiliti eh) during the awarding was: PRECIOUS! Hehehehehe. Congrats!