Cambodia SEA Games – Author Carlo Carrasco

Ramirez and Napolis congratulated by Muntinlupa City Government for Asian Games achievements

October 10, 2023October 8, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive city of Muntinlupa, the City Government congratulated once again Annie Ramirez and Kaila Napolis for winning medals in women’s jiu-jitsu (in different weight categories) at the Asian Games, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Take note that the two Muntinlupa-based athletes won medals also in the last Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Mayor Ruffy Biazon congratulated two Muntinlupa residents who bagged medals at the 19th Asian Games being held in Hangzhou, China.

Biazon honored Annie Ramirez, who won a gold medal in jiu-jitsu (women’s 57kg), and Kaila Napolis, who bagged a bronze medal in jiu-jitsu (women’s 52kg).

*The Muntinlupa PIO released this online.*

“Congratulations sa mga atletang Muntinlupeñong nagwagi sa 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022! (Congratulations to Muntinlupa athletes who won in the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022),” Biazon posted on Facebook.

Ramirez, a resident of Barangay Cupang in Muntinlupa, won the Philippines’ third gold medal in the Asian Games. She previously won a gold medal in jiu-jitsu women’s newaza nogi-57 kg category at the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Napolis is a resident of Barangay Poblacion. She previously won a gold medal in the jiu-jitsu women’s newasa gi-52 kg in the 32nd SEA Games.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you very delighted to find out that there were local athletes who won medals for our country at the Asian Games? Are there any athletes in your local community who represented the Philippines in the Asian Games?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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Cash incentives for 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games medalists to be awarded on July 20

July 13, 2023July 10, 2023carlocarrasco

Members of the Philippine Team who won medals in the 32^nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) and the 12 ASEAN Para Games (APG) will be awarded with the promised cash incentives by the national government on July 20, 2023, at Malacañang Palace, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. The cash incentives will be released in accordance to Republic Act Number 10699 and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., himself will be in attendance.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will present cash incentives to the medalists of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) and 12th ASEAN Para Games (APG) in a ceremony scheduled on July 20 at the Malacañan Palace.

“We are grateful for President Marcos’ decision to personally award the incentives to Team Philippines, an expression of his admiration to our national athletes and their unwavering passion and dedication for representing the country,” Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann said in a statement on Monday.

The government cash incentives amounting to PHP74 million, including PHP14 million for Para Games medalists, is in accordance to Republic Act 10699, or the Expanded National Athletes and Coaches Incentives and Benefits Act.

Medalists in the SEAG will get PHP300,000 for gold winner, PHP150,000 (silver) and PHP60,000 (bronze), while for the ASEAN Para Games winners, the incentives are PHP150,000 (gold), PHP75,000 (silver) and PHP30,000 (bronze).

The cash bonuses will come from the monthly remittances of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) through the PSC’s National Sports Development Fund (NSDF).

“In the past, the PSC conducted two separate awarding for SEAG and APG medalists, but I believe it is more fitting to join the two for the President’s first-ever incentives awarding during his administration,” Bachmann said.

Bachmann will be joined by PSC Commissioners Matthew “Fritz” Gaston, Edward Hayco, Walter Francis Torres and Olivia “Bong” Coo during the awarding ceremony.

Also invited to the ceremony are Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Senate Committee on Sports Chairman Sen. Bong Go, House Committee on Youth and Sports Chairman Rep. Faustino Dy III, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Mayor Abraham Tolentino, and other sports executives and officials.

The Philippines won 58 golds, 85 silvers and 117 bronzes in the SEA Games to surpass its 52-70-105 haul in Vietnam last year, but remained fifth overall.

World champion Carlos Edriel Yulo bagged two gold and two silver medals for the gymnastics team, which also won two bronze medals.

In the ASEAN Para Games, the country collected 34 gold, 33 silver and 50 bronze medals to duplicate its fifth-place finish last year in Indonesia.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you inspired by what the Philippine Team athletes won in the recent SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City Government honors local residents (athletes and coaches) for 2023 SEA Games achievements

June 6, 2023June 2, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently the City Government of Muntinlupa honored the local residents – specifically athletes and coaches – who made notable achievements in the 32^nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Cambodia and helped the Philippines do better than the previous edition of the games, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government honored athletes and coaches who brought honor to the country in the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held on May 5-17 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The Muntinlupa City Council passed Resolution No. 2023-243 congratulating Muntinlupeño athletes and coaches in the SEA Games.

“Congratulations to our Muntinlupeño athletes and coaches who have shown their strength and excellence in the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia. You make your City truly proud,” said Mayor Ruffy Biazon, who signed the resolution on May 29.

Out of the 840-strong Philippine delegation, eight Muntinlupeños won medals. Honored by the city government are Annie Ramirez (gold, Jiu-jitsu Women’s Newaza Nogi-57 kg category); Kaila Napolis (gold, Jiu-jitsu Women’s Newasa Gi-52 kg); Gretel De Paz (gold, Kickboxing Low Kick – 56 kg class); Shugen Nakano (silver, Men’s Judo-66 kg class); Daryl John Mercado (bronze, Men’s Judo 55 kg); Keisei Nakano (bronze, Judo Mixed Team); Jay-R Beterbo, silver, Floorball-Men’s Tournament); and Carlo Biado, bronze, Billiards-Men’s 9-Ball Pool Doubles.

The city also recognized coaches Jayson Senales and Kodo Nakano, who are also from Muntinlupa, for successfully leading the national judo team to a strong medal showing at the Games, accounting for a total of seven medals.

The recent campaign is hailed as one of the country’s strongest overseas performances, second only to the 59-gold medal haul in the 1987 Jakarta SEA Games which featured mainstays such as the late Lydia De Vega-Mercado, Paeng Nepomuceno, and Eric Buhain.

To see the pictures of those who were honored, click https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/2/muntinlupa-honors-2023-sea-games-medalists-coaches

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Are you delighted over what the local athletes and coaches achieved for the country in the most recent SEA Games in Cambodia?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Las Piñas-based 2023 SEA Games medalists commended by Mayor and Vice Mayor

June 6, 2023June 2, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Las Piñas, Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery welcomed local residents and 2023 SEA Games medalists Jocel Lyn Ninobla and Ana Alicia “Khate” Castillo at City Hall and had a meeting together, the City Government announced via their Facebook page post dated June 2.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the social media post. Some parts in boldface…

Two remarkable athletes, Jocel Lyn Ninobla and Ana Alicia “Khate” Castillo, who proudly represented the Philippines at the recently concluded 2023 South East Asian Games in Cambodia, paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar on Thursday, June 1st in City Hall.

*Jocel Lyn Ninobla and Ana Alicia “Khate” Castillo are the 2023 SEA Games medalists based in Las Piñas City. (photo source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)*

*The SEA Games medalists in their meeting with Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar. (photo source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)*

Jocel Lyn Ninobla, an outstanding taekwondo athlete, won a prestigious Gold medal at the Women’s Recognized Team Poomsae event and a Bronze medal in the Mixed Recognized Pair Poomsae event, highlighting her versatility and talent in the discipline. Jocel, an alumna of Divine Light Academy in Las Piñas, returned to her hometown to express her gratitude to the city that played a significant role in her journey.

Jocel Lyn Ninobla showing her 2023 SEA Games gold and bronze medals while posing with the Vice Mayor and Mayor. *(photo source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)*

Accompanying Jocel was Ana Alicia “Khate” Castillo, a basketball athlete who secured a Silver medal at the Women’s 5×5 Basketball event. She is a proud graduate of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Las Piñas.

Ana Alicia “Khate” Castillo with her 2023 SEA Games silver medal, and the Vice Mayor and the Mayor. *(photo source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)*

Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar commended Jocel and Khate for their dedication, hard work, and perseverance, which led them to excel on the international stage and bring glory to both the Philippines and Las Piñas City.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you delighted to see local residents who won SEA Games medals for the Philippines?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Over P12 million in bonuses to be given by POC to the nation’s 2023 SEA Games medalists

June 5, 2023June 1, 2023carlocarrasco

Philippine Team athletes who won medals in the 32^nd Southeast Asian Games (AKA SEA Games or Cambodia 2023) will be receiving over P12 million in bonuses from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), according to a GMA Network news report. Take note that the POC SEA Games bonuses are different from the incentives of Republic Act Number 10699 (RA10699) or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is set to hand out P12.4 million in bonuses to athletes who copped medals at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia last month.

These bonuses will be distributed to the 58 gold medalists, 85 silver winners, and 117 athletes who took home bronze medals. Of the total bonus, P7.2 million is from the Manuel V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation (MVPSF), while P5.2 million is from POC funds.

“The athletes, particularly the medalists, deserve the reward, and the POC will always be diligent on that,” said POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino in a statement.

“The amount is from the generosity of MVPSF, Manny V. Pangilinan, through the efforts of [president] Al Panlilio.”

Under the POC’s incentive program, P100,000 will go to an individual gold medalist, P50,000 to doubles and relay teams, and P30,000 to a team; P50,000 to a silver medalist, P30,000 for doubles, and P20,000 for relay; and P30,000 to an individual silver medalist and P10,000 for doubles and relay.

The POC bonuses are separate from the government incentives given through the Philippine Sports Commission under Republic Act 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

For individual events, a gold in the SEA Games is worth P300,000, a silver P150,000, and a bronze P60,000, according to the law.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you happy with all the medals the Philippine athletes won in the 2023 SEA Games hosted by Cambodia?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Talisay City’s Hermosa: I didn’t expect to win gold.

May 29, 2023May 25, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers and sports fans! The 32^nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia are officially over and the Philippines won more gold medals compared to the previous SEA Games and Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino hailed the Filipino athletes for a job well done.

Speaking of gold medals, the Philippines finished in 1^st place in Men’s Individual Triathlon (Fer Casares), Women’s Individual Duathlon (Kim Mangrobang) and the Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay. One of the members of the gold-medalist aquathlon team – Matthew Justine Hermosa of Talisay City, Cebu province – was recently featured in the Cebu Daily News (CDN) in a post-SEA Games article. What he shared in the article should interest you all.

Cebu’s Matthew Justine Hermosa (leftmost) holding the Philippine flag with teammates Iñaki Lorbes, Kira Ellis and Erika Burgos after their gold medal victory in the 32nd SEA Games aquathlon team relay event. *(note: photo sourced from Triathlon Association of the Philippines Facebook page).*

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Cebu Daily News article. Some parts in boldface…

Cebuano triathlete Matthew Justine Hermosa said he did not expect to win a gold medal in his first stint in the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) after he and three other Filipino triathletes topped the mixed relay of the aquathlon event last May 6, 2023, at Kep Beach in Cambodia.

The 18-year-old Talisay City native ruled the mixed relay of the aquathlon event at one hour nine minutes and 56 seconds. Joining him was Kira Ellis, Erika Burgos and Iñaki Lorbes in winning the gold medal.

For Hermosa, it was a fun and challenging experience for him.

“For me, I didn’t expect to win gold, I expected a podium finish like maybe bronze or silver. It was a great bonus to receive and take home the gold medal and adding it to the tally,” said Hermosa.

“It was fun and at the same time it was quite challenging. The pressure from it is very different from our local races. Everyone’s eyes are on you and the expectations are so high. It was indescribable and mixed emotions to have won the gold medal but thankfully we did,” he said.

From left to right: Fer Casares, Kim Mangrobang, Iñaki Lorbes, Erika Burgos, Andrew Kim Remolino and Matthew Justine Hermosa showing their 32nd SEA Games medals upon arrival at the airport. (photo credit: Manila Bulletin)

Hermosa is one of the three Cebuano triathletes who campaigned for the Philippines in the 32nd SEA Games.

The other two were Andrew Kim Remolino who secured a silver medal in the men’s aquathlon and a bronze medal in the men’s triathlon event. Also, 2022 SEA Games bronze medalist Raven Faith Alcoseba competed along with them.

“It was a very challenging race because for aquathlon you have to do a swim of 500 m and after that you have to do a sprint run of 2.5 km. On the swim it was a very big challenge because the waves were so big, the water was so dark and the current was so strong that it would push you back to the shore,” Hermosa recalled.

“But I was fortunate enough to come out of the swim 3rd behind Vietnam and Indonesia, and on the run I was able to catch up with the two and I was able to finish 1st and giving a few seconds gap to my fellow teammates.”

To see the rest of CDN’s article, click https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/504045/hermosa-cebu-triathlete-on-winning-seag-gold-it-was-fun-challenging-experience

With regards to post-SEA Games events, the Philippines will be sending triathletes to the Asian Games which will happen in China this September-October.

Watch out for more Philippine multisport updates right here!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

Muntinlupa City Government congratulates local residents (athletes and coaches) for achieving success at the 32nd SEA Games

May 24, 2023May 23, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently the City Government of Muntinlupa congratulated local residents as well as a few coaches for achieving success in the concluded 32^nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Cambodia, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government congratulated residents who won at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Cambodia.

They are Annie Ramirez from Barangay Cupang, gold medalist, Jiu-Jitsu Women’s Newaza Nogi – 57 kg; Kaila Napolis of Barangay Poblacion, gold medalist, Jiu-Jitsu Women’s Newasa Gi – 52 kg; Gretel De Paz of Alabang, gold medalist, Kickboxing Low Kick – 56 kg; Shugen Nakano of Barangay Tunasan, silver medalist, Men’s Judo – 66 kg; Daryl John Mercado of Barangay Tunasan, bronze medalist, Men’s Judo-55 kg; and Keisei Nakano of Tunasan, bronze medalist, Judo Mixed Team Event.

Napolis won the Philippines’ first gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games.

The city government also commended coaches Jayson Senales of Barangay Tunasan, Philippine National Judo Team, and Kodo Nakano of Barangay Tunasan, Philippine National Judo Team.

The above report ended stating that Muntinlupa City has an existing ordinance in which financial rewards are granted to local athletes who win in international, nation, regional and local invitational competitions.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Are you delighted to learn about the local residents who won medals for the country during the SEA Games in Cambodia?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Could Cambodia and its foreign reinforcements ruin Southeast Asian sports?

May 16, 2023May 13, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers and sports fans! As the 32^nd Southeast Asian Games is about the end, there has been a lot of discussions online about SEA Games host Cambodia and the many foreigners it naturalized who helped them win gold medals in specific sports events. The controversy is only growing and there is concern that what Cambodia has done could potentially ruin Southeast Asian sports as we know it.

To put things in perspective, Cambodia’s naturalized French athlete Margot Garabedian won the gold medals in the Women’s Individual Aquathlon as well as in the Women’s Individual Triathlon. In the Men’s 5-on-5 basketball, Cambodia defeated Gilas Pilipinas 79-68 as they were reinforced by six American players who were naturalized.

Meanwhile, a New Straits Times published an article focused on Cambodia’s mockery of the sport of cricket as their own team has a mix of Indian and Pakistani players. To be more precise, there were 13 foreign-born cricket players on the Cambodian team. As such, the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) hopes that the SEA Games Federation and the Olympic Council of Malaysia will conduct a review of the tournament as we as the eligibility of all players representing different nations in the 32^nd SEA Games.

In relation to these developments, there were two other articles that tackled the controversy of Cambodia’s naturalized reinforcements from overseas. One from veteran sports analyst Quinito Henson and the other a New Straits Times piece.

To begin with, posted below is an excerpt from Quinito Henson’s analysis published by the Philippine Star. Some parts in boldface…

A rule to allow any player, with or without affinity, to represent a country on the basis of a passport has opened the floodgates for mercenaries to desecrate the spirit of sportsmanship at the ongoing SEA Games in Cambodia. The norm of enlisting only one naturalized player for a national basketball team is now out the window. The host country has spared no cost in trying to collect gold medals like they were for sale in the open market and foreign athletes who probably had never visited Cambodia before the SEA Games are shamelessly wearing the national colors for money.

Last January, POC president Mayor Bambol Tolentino disclosed Cambodia’s devious plan to recruit foreign athletes for the SEA Games. In the Philippines, it’s a process to naturalize anyone because the law requires approval from Congress and Senate. But in other countries, it’s like issuing a driver’s license without a test and the wait could be overnight.

The downside of loading up on naturalized players is they don’t compete for national pride. Take, for instance, Cambodia’s 3×3 women’s squad of four American tourists – 5-7 Brittanny Dinkins of University of Southern Mississippi (played in seven countries before landing in Phnom Penh), 6-1 Mariah Cooks of Washington State University, 5-8 Kim Hanlon of Stony Brook University and 5-9 Meighan Simmons of University of Tennessee. Cooks and Hanlon are Women’s Premier Basketball Association (WPBA) veterans while Simmons was New York’s third-round pick in the 2014 WNBA draft. After the imports lost to the Philippines, 21-20 in the semis, they showed no heart in bowing to Indonesia, 21-15 in the playoff for third. The gold medal was lost and the bonus that would’ve come with it so who cared for third place? They didn’t play for Cambodia, they played for themselves and a paycheck.

Posted below is the 2^nd excerpt from Henson’s article…

Cambodian Joshua Bo Noung, who played high school basketball in the US, couldn’t land a spot on the national team because of the naturalized overload. “I am a little embarrassed for Cambodians,” he said. “Because this is not our way to resort to, not giving our own people a shot at competing. They resort to this for immediate success but they have to understand the pride in representing the people of Cambodia all around the world. Losing is part of learning to become better. Winning without integrity isn’t winning”.

In his analysis, Henson cut through the naturalization controversy and hit the key spots precisely. This raises questions about how Cambodia is implementing its very own sports development program and how far will they go to attract foreign athletes and naturalize them to boost their chances of winning in international sports events. After the SEA Games, will Cambodia have their naturalized reinforcements play for them in the Asian Games, the Olympics, and in the respective championship events in the sports of triathlon, basketball, cricket, and other sports?

More on those naturalized athletes, are they truly dedicated to Cambodia as their definitive nation with the long-term future in mind? How do they look at the homegrown Cambodian athletes who could not perform as great as them?

The next article to pay attention is from the New Straits Times which focuses more on ASEAN spirit affected by Cambodia and its naturalized athletes. Posted below is an excerpt from the article with some parts in boldface…

Hosts Cambodia’s conspicuous usage of foreign athletes at the ongoing Sea Games is not good for the Asean spirit.

This was stated by sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli who pointed out that the objective of Asean is to strengthen unity among its 10 countries.

“Cambodia hiring imported athletes to win as many gold medals as possible does not strengthen the relationships among Asean countries,” he said today.

“Cambodia is too ambitious to win gold, they will do anything to finish among the top three in the medal tally.“

With five more days of the Sea Games remaining, Cambodia have bagged a whopping 56 gold medals and are second in the medal table to Vietnam who have 58 gold.

“Cambodia have set a precedent in the Sea Games that it’s okay to hire foreign athletes by giving them PR or citizenship for a short time to win medals,” said Pekan.

“In future other countries which are not strong in sports like Myanmar, Laos and Timor Leste will do the same when they host the Sea Games.

“This does not show true sportsmanship in sports.”

Cambodia is hosting the ongoing Sea Games for the first time, and more than half of its contingent are imports from countries like the United States, India, Pakistan, China and other nations.

Cambodia have raised eyebrows by fielding foreign athletes in cricket, hockey, basketball, volleyball, badminton and other sports.

Just imagine this. Cambodia’s all conquering 3×3 women’s squad consist of four “American tourists” — Brittany Dinkins, Kimberly Hanlon, Mariah Cooks and Meighan Simmons.

Pekan said there are no proper rules and guidelines in the Sea Games Federation that prohibit a country fielding foreign athletes.

“Basically the rules allow countries to take the opportunity to hire foreigners.

“Cambodia has spent a lot of money to host the Sea Games for the first time, and of course which host country does not want to win as many gold medals as possible?

“The government of Cambodia wants to please their people by showing that they can host the Sea Games and win a lot of gold. They also want to justify that they have spent the money wisely for the Games with good returns.

“And Cambodia is not the first country in the region that hire foreign athletes to win medals.

“Other countries have done it before. . Singapore have China-born naturalised table tennis players. A few athletes have dual citizenship, American and Filipino. Yet they are allowed to compete in the Sea Games.

“Look at our national football team, most of the players are naturalised players from other countries.

“We (Malaysia) have also given PR to foreign athletes to win medals in the Sea Games. Yuan Yufang is a China-born athlete who has won many gold in long distance and walk events in the Sea Games.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Do you think Cambodia and its naturalized athletes from overseas will ruin sports in the Southeast Asian region as we know it? When it comes to the aspect of granting citizenship to foreigners, do you think your country has sufficient laws that justify declaring foreign applicants as new citizens? How long do you think foreign applicants (for citizenship in your country) need to be living in the country before they qualify for citizenship? Does your country have a good sports development program that focuses on homegrown athletes?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippine triathletes looking forward to contests beyond 2023 SEA Games

May 15, 2023May 11, 2023carlocarrasco

Now that the 32nd Southeast Asian Games multisport contests in Cambodia are finally over (for references, click here, here, here and here), the Philippine triathletes have other contests to look forward to, according to a sports news article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

In relation to this, the Philippine multisport team members arrived home victorious. Welcomed at the airport were Fer Casares the Men’s Triathlon gold medalist, Kim Mangrobang the Women’s Duathlon gold medalist and Women’s Triathlon Silver Medalist, Andrew Kim Remolino the Men’s Aquathlon silver medalist and Men’s Triathlon bronze medalist, and the members of the Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay champions Erika Burgos, Iñaki Emil Lorbes and Matthew Justine Hermosa. Given the back-to-back SEA Games victories they each achieved, Casares is the reigning King of Triathlon in Southeast Asia while Mangrobang is the reigning Queen of Duathlon of the region.

*Image of the Philippine multisport team who won medals at the 32nd SEA Games posted on social media by the Manila Bulletin. (photo credit: Manila Bulletin)*

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA sports news story. Some parts in boldface…

Fernando Casares is hoping for the best when he competes at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8.

The Filipino-Spanish triathlete successfully defended his Southeast Asian Games title in Cambodia last Monday and while he is determined to make an impressive debut in China, getting a podium finish would be hard.

“The level is incredibly high, probably not,” said Casares in an interview Wednesday afternoon. “I would love to achieve Top 10 but I’m aware of the level.”

He clocked 58 minutes and 33.5 seconds to claim victory in Cambodia, beating Indonesian Rashif Yaqin (58:47) in the 750m swim-20km bike-5km run men’s event at the Kep Beach Resort.

Cebuano Andrew Kim Remolino placed third in 59:53 to settle for the bronze, his second medal following a silver finish in the men’s aquathlon on May 6.

“Obviously my main goal was to win the gold medal in triathlon since I already won in the last SEA Games in Vietnam, the issue was that this time, the distance was sprint, not standard, so the level was going to be more equal. Throughout the race, I wasn’t very sure if I was going to win because the gap between the lead pack and us (Kim Remolino and me) was considerably big after the swim, but we did an amazing job on the bike, closing the gap that much that we almost caught the lead pack before reaching T2 (20″ gap). As soon as I started running, I knew I was going to get a podium because I knew very well my rivals, however, I wasn’t sure if I could get the gold since Remolino and the guy from Indonesia were the fastest runners along with me,” said Casares, who was born in Madrid to a Spanish father and a Filipino mother.

“It took me 2.5km to overtake the leader and once I reached kilometer 3.75, I knew I would win because there was a considerable gap. But unfortunately, I started to feel dizzy because I was going all out, as if I was going to bonk, so it was quite stressing until the last 100m because I didn’t know if the Indonesian was going to sprint on the last part,” he added.

“Achieving this victory means everything to me, all the hard work I’ve been doing for months paid off, now I’ll be able to keep training as a full-time athlete, thanks to the salary I’ll keep receiving from the government, which is quite a relief,” he said.”But the best feeling about winning the gold medal is the supportive messages I receive from my kababayan (countrymen), it’s quite comforting to make everyone proud and to raise our flag to the top.”

Meanwhile, Casares will leave for Osaka, Japan next week with three-time SEA Games women’s champion Kim Mangrobang. They will compete in the Asia Cup set on May 26.

“It’ll be good to get some points for my international ranking. After Osaka, my plan is to go back to Spain to make the most of its weather, since it’ll be summer by then. There’s so many high-level national races that I can join, and even Europe Cups and World Cups. All these will be my preparation for the Asian Games,” said Casares, who joined two tournaments in New Zealand — Oceania Cup in Taupo, and World Cup in New Plymouth — as part of his training for the SEA Games.

Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) President Tom Carrasco had earlier predicted three gold medals.

Aside from Casares, the other gold medalists were Mangrobang (duathlon) and the mixed aquathlon relay team of Erika Burgos, Inaki Lorbes, Kira Ellis and Matthew Hermosa.

Mangrobang also got a silver medal in the triathlon, clocking (1:07:21) to finish second behind Cambodian naturalized entry Margot Garabedian (1:05.34). Singapore’s Louisa Marie Middleditch was third (1:07:24).

The Philippines leads the SEA Games all-time medal tally in triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon, with 35 medals — 15 golds, 12 silvers and 8 bronzes.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a triathlon enthusiast, are you looking forward to the next overseas campaigns of the Philippine team triathletes? What is your opinion about Cambodia’s move on having more competitive foreign athletes naturalized as part of their strategy to win events in the SEA Games that they themselves have been hosting?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

In ending this post, posted below are a few 32^nd SEA Games multisport event videos for your viewing pleasure…

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Triathlon gold-silver-bronze for the Philippines at the 32nd SEA Games

May 8, 2023May 8, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers and sports fans! The much-awaited triathlon events for men and women at the 32^nd Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as SEA Games and Cambodia 2023) have happened and the result for the Philippines was mixed.

Firstly, Fer Casares successfully won the gold medal again for the Philippines in the Men’s Individual Triathlon which establishes him as still the reigning king of triathlon in Southeast Asia. The official results showed that Casares completed the 750 Meter swim – 20 Kilometer bike – 5 Km run contest in 58 minutes and 32 seconds (58:32) and he was just 13 seconds ahead of silver medalist Rashif Amilya Yaqin of Indonesia. Technically Casares swam in 10:38, had 23 seconds in Transition 1, biked for 29:48, had 24 seconds in Transition 2 and ran for 17:19. Comparing his performance with the silver medalist, Casares came from behind to win the gold.

*From the social media post of the Philippine Sports Commission.*

*Cebu-based Andrew Kim Remolino won the Men’s Triathlon bronze in addition to the silver he won for the nation in the Men’s Aquathlon.*

Meanwhile, Casares’ Cebu-based teammate Andrew Kim Remolino (the aquathlon silver medalist) secured the bronze medal for the nation timing 59:53.

In the Women’s Individual Triathlon, Kim Mangrobang finished with the silver medal as Cambodia’s naturalized French-born Margot Garabedian took the gold (note: she also won gold in the Women’s Aquathlon). Mangrobang finished the race in 1:07:21 (11:28 in the swim, 34 seconds in Transition 1, 34:47 in the bike, 28 seconds in Transition 2 and 20:04 in the run) while Garabedian 1:05:31. The bronze medal went to Singapore’s Louisa Marie Middleditch who was just seconds behind Mangrobang at 1:07:28. while Cebu-based Raven Faith Alcoseba finished at 4^th place with 1:08:46. Very noticeable was Garabedian’s teammate Toch Raksa finishing only at 10^th place with 1:30:54.

*Kim Mangrobang won the Women’s Triathlon silver medal and the gold medal in the Women’s Duathlon.*

The issue about the naturalization of foreign athletes as Cambodians is already attracting a lot of attention. Take note that there were other naturalized Cambodians who took part in the SEA Games (read about them here and here). It should be noted that the host nation bent the rules of the naturalization process. Following the end of the SEA Games this year, citizenship could become a hot topic of debate on sports competitions at least in Southeast Asia.

While Mangrobang was denied of the gold this time around, her achievement of winning back-to-back SEA Games women’s triathlon (2017, 2019 and 2021) remains historic and has yet to be surpassed. She is also still Southeast Asia’s reigning duathlon queen and Cambodia itself did not do well in the SEA Games women’s duathlon event as well as in the men’s aquathlon event as the official race results showed. It took a female competitor who was born in France to help Cambodia win the gold in triathlon and aquathlon just as they hosted the SEA Games for the first time ever. Remember that, my readers.

If there is anything else significant about the 32^nd SEA Games, it is the fact that medal events of aquathlon, duathlon and triathlon got organized for the first time in Southeast Asia’s multisport history. The Philippines is part of it and its medal victories cannot be ignored.

For the record, the Philippines won the gold medals in Men’s Triathlon, Women’s Duathlon and the Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay. Also secured were the silver medals in the Men’s Aquathlon and Women’s Triathlon, and the bronze in Men’s Triathlon. These are achievements that Filipinos can be thankful to the Lord for. Indeed, Southeast Asian sports competition has gotten tougher but the Philippines remains a multisport powerhouse in the region and for sure adjustments and further refinements will follow for future overseas competitions. The next SEA Games will be hosted by Thailand.

Let me end this post with the bible verse below…

I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.

Philippians 4:12-13 (TPT)

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