Just thinking about the Vancouver 2010 Olympics now made me think my first time ever watching the Olympics live broadcast on TV (see, here in the RP back in the days its broadcast but few days late and not the whole thing too) that was in the year 1992, the Olympic Games were held in Albertville, France. Almost all households in America were glued to the TV set, including Bob and I. We were watching the opening of the Olympic games.
It was really fun for me because for the first time I watched the Olympic games straight shows on TV if I want to uninterrupted. I was so hooked to it and in amazement of how nice the show was. Then it was time for the parade of every country. I was just in awe of how every nation and their people supported the athletes they had in the games. Spending the money to travel there was just unbelievable to me. It was awesome.
Then Bob said something like ” I wonder how many athletes the Philippines sent there? ” Oh my God, I think I jumped out of the couch and said to him “are you insulting me and my country? Are you out of your mind. You know better than that, how could the Philippines have an athlete to compete in winter Olympics we don’t have any snow in my country.”
Saying this with a high tone of voice, because I was freakin mad and furious. To be honest, Bob was kind of caught off guard and shocked over my reaction. He never thought and imagined how I reacted. (He said to me along this lines “I never want to insult you or your country. I was just wondering if your country sent somebody there for the event? Nothing else was in my mind). Bob knew that I was really pissed. We continued watching the Olympics, he would try to say something and I was just ignoring him a little bit. Like if he would made comments about how nice the costumes of the country or something I was just be quiet. Then almost time for countries that started on letter “P”. We were both so focus then. I think on Bob’s part, he would be praying that please God let it be that the Philippines have athletes. To be honest my confidence was way beyond me, thinking that the Philippines don’t have anybody there. Now came the the countries that starts with letter “P” at a distance when the camera starts rolling I think I saw a glimpse of the Philippine Flag. Hmm, I was thinking then, maybe the Philippines have somebody there. And it sure did.
Wow, I think my jaw dropped instantly. Really I was shocked and embarrassed by my stupid behavior towards Bob. He just said to me that see honey you don’t have to be mad it really turns out the Philippines did sent an athlete there. I was quiet and I think I apologized to him. Ha ha ha, its funny now but not back then. 😉
For the information of everyone the athlete from the Philippines that they sent in Albertville, France his name was Michael Teruel. He participated in the alpine skiing. Not sure how he scored on the event he was in. I’ve heard that the Philippines had a few athletes right now in Vancouver BC. I hope they do good. Just being there makes the country proud. I don’t really keep up with it now. We watched some events that kind of interests us like the snowboarding (big fan of Shaun White) (watched the woman snowboarding Torah Bright deserves to win), hockey and my favorite before the figure skating. I am not as enthusiastic for the events as before. Now I just read on the net and if the winner interest Bob and I, he will download the show and will watch it later.
Anyway, to all the have fun watching the Olympics. No wars. 😉
Cheers!
Hi Feyma. This article shows, at least to me, more about marriage and communication, than it tells about olympic games. Great article and fun too.
By the way, about Michael Teruel, look here: http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/te/michael-teruel-1.html
Thank you for a very nice party at Bob`s b-day, we did enjoy it a lot.
Preben.
Hi Preben – Thank you so much for your nice comment. I really appreciate very much. Thank you too for the link.
I’m glad that you and Glen came to our small party for Bob. It was really nice seeing you both before you guys heading back to Denmark.
Hope to see you guys again sometime. Take care!
I live in Langley, B.C. which is a suburb of Vancouver. I don’t really need to say how exciting it has been here. I am not a big sports fan and neither is Precila, but we watched it every night. Canada won more medals than it every has before, more gold medals than any other country and the most gold ever won by any country in history for the winter Olympics! Hockey is the most popular sport in Canada and Canada won the gold by one goal in overtime. The most exciting finish you took every have. The fun part was while I just watch the game, Precila was yelling at the TV and screaming her head off when Canada got a goal. I had to keep telling her to calm down. The neighbors probably thought I was killing her! The great thing about sports is that it crosses all countries boundries. The Philippines may not be big into winter sports, but when it comes to things like basketball, they are a powerhouse! Who knows what will happen in the future. There are now some ice rinks in the Philippines.Speed skating, ice dancing (figure skating) and curling are all sports that I bet the Philippines would do really well at.
I am glad you enjoyed the Olympics.
Hi Allan Kelly – I’m not really into the Olympics now. Just watched a few games that interest me. Sorry but I was really hoping for the US to win hockey game. Oh well, still I’m proud of them.
During the 1990’s I am really an avid fan of NBA games. Bob and I even go to the place where our favorite team played. It was really fun. I might have scream a few times. Ha ha ha… 😉 Can’t blame your wife she’s just really into the game you know. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by. Good to see you here. Keep reading!
Well, if it’s any consolation Feym, J.R. Celski of the US speedskating team members showed his true colors on national live TV one night during the games. After one particular race, the cameras followed JR to his bench where he continued to remove his jersey. Lo and behold, for all the world to see was his tattooed chest with the Philippine Sun and the 3 stars. JR, it turns out has a Filipino Mom.
Hi JonB – Thank you so much for giving me that information. I didn’t even know the guy until you mention him. I just google his name and read more information about him. He also adores Manny Pacquiao.
Good to see you here Jon. Hey, hope to see you and family here in Davao soon.
Take care!
Feyma,
I’m sure you’ve made up big time with Bob since Albertville Olympics. For the record, the Philippines had been sending athletes off and on to the Winter O, since 1972, starting with 2 skiers. From what I can remember, there was a bobsled team in 88 (they named their sled Cory 1), then skier in 1992. I’m not sure who else. Michael Teruel ended up in the middle of the pack in slalom and towards the end of the pack in giant slalom I think. Anyway, John Celski was a hit because of his tatoo: giant Philippine sun, with the Polish eagel inside. He won 2 medals I believe. Bronze and silver in pursuit (gold to Canada of course.)
There are of course Americans of Filipino heritage who have brought honors to the country. The latest is Natalie Coughlin, the oldest is Victoria Manalo Draper (double gold in diving in London). In winter O, there were ice skaters primarily like Tai Babilonia, Elizabeth Punsalan, Rudy Galindo (ex pairs partner of Kristie Yamaguchi). I don’t think they medalled.
Canada did well, we’re proud of it. Right to the end with the gold in hockey. Before that, Canada has never won a gold medal on home soil. Now 14 gold medals, the most of any nation in winter O history! I used to ski myself, downhill, and tried cross country (great for cardio vascular). Unfortunately, it’s too expensive now.
I think there are Filipinos trying to qualify every time, like in figure skating (seems to be natural for this sport, and its indoors). Peace at last?
Alex
Hi AlexB – Yes of course. How many Olympics passed by already. 😉
To be honest with you I don’t know much details who was sent by the Philippines to every Olympics. I just did not care that much anymore. I think I just don’t have the desire to watched the games unless it really got me interested.
I’m pretty sure that some of the athletes that was sent by the Philippines was growing up from other countries with half Filipino blood. They just didn’t make it to team where the country they are from. I could be wrong. But if they can make it to the Philippine team I am happy for them. They’re given a chance to show their talent.
Thank you for stopping by here and for your nice comment. Good to see you again.
Take care!
Hi Feyma
Only thing I watched from the Olympics were the Canada VS USA final hockey match. Glad to see that Canada won!! However, I did check on the internet and haven’t found anybody from the Philippines…maybe I didn’t look hard enough. Win or no win though, you have to be proud that you can be represented!
Hi Jason Dance – Honestly I am happy that the Philippines sent some athletes. Just didn’t know at that time. Nowadays I know that they have been sending. It’s on the news here too.
Glad to see you here. Keep reading.
Take care!
no one this time. but in the past few winter O there were maybe 1 or 2 athletes now and then, not based in the Phil (no winter).
I remember about 4 years ago a local newbrodcaster from where I lived got to visit the olympics. He interviewed Shaun White and said “We’re from South Carolina”. Shuan was like “Where that? In Europe?” HAHHA