For this year and 2025, Moody’s Ratings projects the Philippines will end up as the 2nd fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia, according to a BusinessWorld news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news report. Some parts in boldface…
THE PHILIPPINES is projected to be the second-fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia this year and in 2025 as domestic demand is expected to remain resilient, according to Moody’s Ratings.
“We have kept unchanged our 2024 and 2025 forecasts for the Philippines and Malaysia and also expect sequentially higher growth in both countries. Domestic demand remains the primary economic growth engine for the Philippines,” it said in a report.
Moody’s Ratings kept its forecast for gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the Philippines at 5.9% this year and 6% in 2025.
However, these projections fall short of the government’s growth targets of 6.5-7.5% for this year and 6.5-8% for next year.
At 5.9%, the Philippines has the second-fastest projected growth in Southeast Asia for 2024, after Vietnam (6%). It is ahead of Indonesia (5%), Malaysia (4.5%) and Thailand (2.8%).
For 2025, the Philippines is again expected to post the second-fastest growth behind Vietnam (6.5%) but ahead of Indonesia (5%), Malaysia (4.8%), and Thailand (3%).
Moody’s Ratings said that growth in domestic demand-driven countries like the Philippines is “increasing more than we previously expected.”
The economy grew by a weaker-than-expected 5.6% in 2023, slower than the 7.6% expansion in 2022 and short of the 6-7% government goal.
Household consumption typically accounts for three-fourths of the Philippine economy. Last year, household spending expanded by 5.6%, much slower than 8.3% in 2022.
Meanwhile, Moody’s Ratings sees inflation averaging 3.8% this year, higher than the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 3.6% full-year forecast but within the 2-4% target.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that strong household consumption alone can help the Philippine economy grow stronger than what Moody’s Ratings projected for 2024 and 2025?
Recently at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), an Indonesian man who previously worked for a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Las Piñas City was intercepted and arrested by law enforcement agents before he could leave the country, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The suspect has been charged for overstaying in the country, for working without a permit and for cyber crime.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
An Indonesian national who worked for a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facility that was raided by law enforcement agents mid this year was apprehended at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Dec. 21 before he could board his flight to Singapore.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) identified the arrested foreigner as Angga Pratama, 24, who used to work with Xinchuang Network Technology, Inc. (XNT) in Las Pinas City.
Angga has been charged with overstaying in the Philippines and working without a permit. He was also charged with cybercime while employed at XNT, BI said.
XNT was raided by agents of the Philippine National Police (PNP) last June 27 for alleged human trafficking and cybercrime.
The PNP rescued from the facility around 2,700 persons including Filipinos and foreigners who were believed (to) be human trafficking victims.
Following the raid, the PNP filed before the DOJ charges against five foreigners who were involved in the operations of the illegal POGO, namely, Li Jiacheng, Xiao Liu, Yan Jiayong, Duan Haozhuan and LP Hongkun.
“The BI remains vigilant in its efforts to safeguard our borders against individuals involved in illegal activities,” Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement issued on Sunday, Dec. 24.
“We are committed to ensuring the security and integrity of our nation’s borders,” he said.
During inspection at the NAIA, Angga’s name was found included in a derogatory hitlist of the BI.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that there are still lots of foreigners who committed crime here in the Philippines who are trying to leave without getting caught? Do you think POGOs are hot spots of cyber crime and other illegal activities?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
This past weekend at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Pampanga, Samuel Mileham of Australia and Erika Burgos of the Philippines won the elite titles of the 2023 Asia Triathlon Duathlon Championship (also referred to as Asian Duathlon Championship), according to a sports news report published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA sports news report. Some parts in boldface…
Australian Samuel Mileham topped the men’s elite category of the 2023 Asia Triathlon Duathlon Championships at New Clark City Sports Complex here Sunday.
The 25-year-old native of Perth finished the 10K (run)-40K (bike)-5K (run) race in 1 hour, 53 minutes and 7 seconds.
“I’m lucky to be given the opportunity to join this competition and I’m happy I won,” said the 6-foot-1 Mileham, who finished second behind Uzbekistan’s Ayan Beisenbayev during the 2022 edition of the tournament in Bahrain.
Bahrain’s Moussa Karich settled for the silver medal with a time of 1:54:49, improving on his fourth-place finish last year.
“This is my first tournament after my injury so I’m satisfied with my performance,” Karich said, referring to (his) previous back problem.
Mileham and Karich are setting their sights on the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championship scheduled Aug. 15 to 25 in Townsville, a coastal city in northeastern Queensland, Australia.
“Yes, it would be nice to win again,” Mileham, a duathlete for 13 years now, said.
Mileham’s teammate, Matt Smith, grabbed the bronze medal in 1:55:19.
Cambodian Mickael Chaumond (1:55:37) and Japanese Fumiya Tanaka (1:55:47), ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.
Philippine team members Raymund Torio and John Chicano also made it to the top 10 of the tournament organized by the Triathlon Philippines (TriPhil) headed by Ramon Marchan.
Torio (1:56:05) placed sixth, while the two-time Southeast Asian Games champion Chicano (1:56:46) was 10th among 22 entries.
“I’m glad because God gave me the chance to be the No. 1 Filipino finisher in this race,” said the 35-year-old Torio, who was born and raised in Lingayen, Pangasinan.
Seyed Mohammad Hosseini (Iran) clocked 1:56:30 for seventh place, Saud Alzaabi (United Arab Emirates) was eighth in 1:56:36, and Edward Langdon (Australia) ninth in 1:56:37.
Meanwhile, the Philippines had a 1-2 finish in the women’s elite category.
Erika Burgos bagged the gold medal in 2:17:48 while Merry Joy Trupa took the silver in 2:18:55.
Indonesians Maharani Azhri Wahyuningtyas (2:21:30), Zahra Bulan (2:23:28), and Eva Desiana (2:24:25) placed third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.
The 2023 Asia Triathlon Duathlon Championship was organized by Triathlon Philippines (formerly Triathlon Association of the Philippines) in cooperation with BCDA and NCC. Sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Asian Center for Insulation, Gatorade – our official hydration partner, Standard Insurance, Fitbar and Medical City Clark.
As far as the Department of Tourism (DOT) is concerned, the Philippines’ hosting of the FIBA World Cup 2023 games will benefit the nation with an estimated 600,000 tourists (foreign and domestic), according to a Philippine Star news report. Take note that the Philippines is getting closer to reaching its planned target of foreign tourists for the year 2023.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Philippine Star news report. Some parts in boldface…
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is expecting 600,000 spectators in the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023, which will start on Friday.
In an interview over Radyo Pilipinas, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the figure includes foreign and domestic visitors. Frasco said the number of participants in the tournament has surpassed 2,200.
She said the FIBA, which is responsible for ticket sales, would determine the exact number of spectators.
To ensure the success of the event, the DOT has collaborated with a tourism consortium that includes private stakeholders such as the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, Philippine Tour Operators Association and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
The collaboration is focused on crafting FIBA World Cup tour packages that will offer discounts to both local and foreign visitors, to encourage them to also explore the Philippines’ tourist spots aside from watching the FIBA games.
“This package, which was specifically curated for FIBA, provides opportunities to visit any of our award-winning destinations as well as our beautiful resorts and hotels across these places,” Frasco said. These packages are accessible through discoverphilippines.travel.
The DOT has coordinated with attached agencies for site enhancements at the venues and other areas crucial to the participants’ experience.
Frasco stressed the importance of seamless and secure movement for tourists and participants.
Frasco said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is responsible for the physical enhancements in airports for a better experience upon entry of tourists.
She said the DOT and the TIEZA helped the DOTr enhance these sites.
The Philippines will host the games of the FIBA World Cup 2023 along with Japan and Indonesia from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Do you think the DOT’s anticipation of 600,000 tourists/spectators with the Philippines hosting FIBA World Cup games is unrealistic or doable? Do you think sports tourism events held here in the Philippines with the participation of foreign athletes will help the nation grow into a tourism powerhouse in the years to come?
The developments related to the recent raid in Las Piñas City continues to be surprising as another foreign fugitive was identified among those who got rescued by the police, according to a GMA Network news report. Take note that previously there were other foreign fugitives uncovered.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…
Another Chinese fugitive was identified among the rescued workers from the raid in a Las Piñas City establishment in June, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.
In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the fugitive was identified as one of the “big bosses” of the company that was raided by authorities over suspected illegal activities.
“Noong in-apply natin ang search warrant ay identified na po siya as one of the bosses po ng Hong Tai company,” Fajardo said.
(When we applied for a search warrant, he was already identified as one of the bosses of Hong Tai company.)
“Noong nag-background check na po ang embassy ay nalaman po natin, nagbigay po sila ng document na may warrant of detention na rin pala ito at lumalabas po noong chineck, isa pala siya doon sa mga big bosses ng company,” she added.
(We learned about it when the embassy conducted a background check and it gave us a document showing this person already has a warrant of detention.)
Four Chinese and three Taiwanese fugitives were previously discovered among the rescued workers. They were turned over to the Bureau of Immigration on July 7 for deportation.
On June 26, authorities implemented a search warrant in a compound in Las Piñas over an alleged human trafficking situation.
The police reported that 1,534 Filipinos and 1,190 foreigners were rescued from the raid.
According to Fajardo, authorities also discovered two minors — an Indonesian and a Malaysian — among the rescued workers.
On June 30, five Chinese suspects identified as Li Jiacheng, alias Li Jiachang, Xiao Liu, alias Xiao Lin, Yan Jiayong, alias Pan Wen Jie, Duan Haozhuan, and LP Hongkun, alias Li Yang, underwent inquest proceedings at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
But according to DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the five Chinese were ordered to be released due to lack of evidence.
Remulla slammed the PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), which spearheaded the raid, for supposedly failing to coordinate with the DOJ before conducting the raid.
The suspects’ lawyer, Atty. Christian Vargas, said the five Chinese nationals are still under police custody despite a release order from the DOJ.
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 feeling concerned that there could be even more foreign fugitives among the many employees of the raided POGO?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the city of Las Piñas, police officers rescued more than two thousand seven hundred employees – including several foreigners – after raiding a certain Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) site in Barangay Almanza Uno, according to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Inquirer news report. Some parts in boldface…
As many as 2,714 people were rescued by police following a raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) firm in Las Piñas City early Tuesday morning.
The NCRPO Joint Police Task Force, led by Deputy Regional Director for Operations Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky and Anti-Cybercrime Group Deputy Director for Operations, Col. Villammor Tuliao, executed search and seizure warrants for computer data at a pogo hub on 501 Alabang-Zapote Road, Almanza Uno, Las Piñas City. According to the National Capital Region Police Office, the operation occurred at about midnight.
Police identified the owner, maintainer, facilitator, and manager of Xinchuang Network Technology Inc., formerly known as “Hong Tai,” as follows: Quiha Lui, Liangfei Chen, Jimmy Lin, and Abbey Ng.
Meanwhile, Xinchuang Network Technology Inc. incorporators include Danica Andres Mensah, Oliver Ong, Divina Trillanes, and Daisy Vidal Cidro.
The warrants were served for the alleged violation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. Initial data from NCRPO showed that 1,528 Filipino workers were rescued.
Meanwhile, 600 of the rescued are from China, 183 from Vietnam, 137 from Indonesia, 134 from Malaysia, 81 from Thailand, 21 from Taiwan, seven from Nigeria, five from Singapore, five from Myanmar, four from Yemen, two from Pakistan, two from Africa, one from India, one from Somalia, one from Sudan, one from Cameroon, and one from Iran.
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 concerned that other POGOs located within your city could possibly be having abused workers kept secret from the public? Do you think that POGOs are somehow connected with local crime incidents?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Welcome back my readers and sports fans! The 32ndSoutheast 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.
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)
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.”
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!
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?
Recently in Parañaque City, local law enforcers rescued over forty foreign women who were illegally detained by seven foreign individuals, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The suspects have since been charged for illegal detention as well as anti-trafficking.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Operatives of the Southern Police District (SPD) successfully rescued 43 Indonesian and Malaysian women who were illegally detained by seven suspects on Saturday, May 6, in Parañaque City.
According to SPD Director Brig. Gen. Kirby John Brion Kraft, among the rescued women, 40 were Indonesian and three were Malaysian.
Kraft identified the suspects as Ong Kok Siang, 31, a Malaysian national; Guo Jinxie, 32, Zhangxiao Feng, 34, Loi Shing-Hung (alias Jerry Wang and Lou Xing Hong), 31, all Chinese nationals; Michael Aodi, 28, Chalvin Nashua Abetnego, 24 and Joppy, 40, all Indonesian nationals.
The rescue operation was conducted at around 5:30 a.m. in a building in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.
Kraft said members of the District Special Operations Unit, Parañaque police substation 2 conducted the rescue operation after an official from the Protocol and Consular Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia coordinated with the police.
He said the rescued victims were immediately brought to the SPD District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) for documentation.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a Parañaque City resident, are you concerned that there could be foreigners illegally detaining other foreigners within the city?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Welcome back my readers and sports fans! The much-awaited triathlon events for men and women at the 32ndSoutheast 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.
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 4th place with 1:08:46. Very noticeable was Garabedian’s teammate Toch Raksa finishing only at 10th 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 32nd 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.
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Author Carlo Carrasco 