As Bob said a`few weeks ago it is pitiful to me how few Filipino athletes went forwrad to the Olympcs. Money is always the excuse, and a thousand reasons that ‘the government’ should have done more. Poppycock.

I’ve been living here nearly two years now in a busy metro area. Total publicity on line or on TV or at my gate from anyone raising funds for a athlete to go to Beijing. Total news items on TV and on the front page of the Manila papers about American athletes and the Olympics? Hundreds. To the Filipinos reading this … you are the _market_ for Filipino news media. Has anyone written so much as one letter to the editor or made their displeasure known? Aside from Manny Paquio and his fight _in the USA_ the Philippine media reports virtually nothing about ateletes from the Philippines. Sad.

Yes, sadly, another Olympic year passes by. We can only hope for the best. For our Pinoy athletes, I hope they will not be discouraged by not making it through. Competing in the Olympics and to represent their country is an honor enough. Cheers!

I really think the first Filipino athlete who wins this elusive Olympic gold medal deserves a statue erected in his or her honor. One of the most exciting (and breathtaking) Olympic moments for us, Filipinos, was when “Onyok” Velasco, Jr. fought against Bulgaria in the lightweight boxing finals in the 1996 Atlanta Games. Almost the whole nation (including myself, of course) was glued to the TV sets when Onyok fought. (Much like when Manny fights in the ring). Eventually, though, he settled for the Silver medal, but he did fight a good fight and he was paraded still like a hero upon returning from the Games.
It was such a close victory!

American though you maybe, I’m sure your Filipino readers really appreciate and admire your support to Shiela Mae and the other Filipino athletes-and for that we thank you! And as we always say in Pilipino, “Tuloy ang Laban!” (Let’s continue the fight—for Gold!)