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! This morning at Kep in Cambodia, Kim Mangrobang proved once again that she is still Southeast Asia’s reigning queen of duathlon (run-bike-run) as she won the gold medal in the Women’s Individual Duathlon event of the 32ndSoutheast Asian Games (also referred to as SEA Games and Cambodia 2023). The gold she won was the 10th gold for the Philippines in the ongoing regional games as of this writing.
The reigning Southeast Asian Queen of Duathlon Kim Mangrobang with teammate Kira Ellis and the Philippine flag at Kep, Cambodia. (photo credit: Ramon Marchan)
To put things in perspective, the official results showed that Mangrobang finished the 5 Kilometer run – 20 Km bike – 2.5 Km run event in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 23 seconds (1:04:23). She timed 20:13 in the 5Km run leg, had 23 seconds in Transition 1, completed the 20 Km bike leg in 33:20, had 23 seconds in Transition 2 and completed the 2.5 Km run in 10:04 (note: the fastest run time).
Thi Phuong Trinh Nguyen of Vietnam captured the silver medal in 1:05:12 while Indonesia’s Maharani Azhri Wahyuningtyas ended with the bronze clocking in 1:06:14. Mangrobang’s teammate Kira Ellis – who was part of the gold medal-winning aquathlon relay team – finished at 5th place with 1:07:11.
The image from the Facebook post of the Philippine Sports Commission.
Meanwhile on the Men’s Individual Duathlon, the Philippine duo of Fer Casares (the gold medalist of last year’s SEA Games triathlon along with Mangrobang) and John Chicano (the 2019 SEA Games gold medalist in men’s triathlon) fell short at 5th and 6th places. Casares timed 55:18 while Chicano clocked 55:39. Vietnam won the gold followed by Cambodia the silver and Indonesia the bronze.
Mangrobang’s duty is not over yet as she will be racing in the Women’s Individual Triathlon tomorrow morning at 6:30 AM. We will find out if she can win another SEA Games triathlon gold medal for the Philippines. The Men’s Individual Triathlon will follow at 8:30 AM.
For the Philippine readers, the multisport enthusiasts and the faithful people reading this, be thankful to the Lord for today’s gold medal victory, honor Him and know that with Him, nothing is impossible. Learn from the holy scriptures below…
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34 (NKJV)
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26 (NKJV)
Watch out for more 2023 SEA Games multisport updates right here.
Japan’s Ren Sato defends his title in the elite male division and Sarika Nakayama takes a stab at the women’s crown vacated by their compatriot on the final day of the celebration of the 30th year of the Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT) this Sunday.
Top world ranked (No. 35) in the field of 66 men, Sato is backstopped by 82nd ranked Jumpei Furuya and 87th Genta Uichida, last year’s 5th placer, in his bid for back-to-back championship at the longest running Olympic distance triathlon in Asia and the first and oldest sporting event at the Subic Bay Freeport.
Last year’s 3rd and 6th placers Aussie Oscar Dart (WR- 112) and Hong Kongite Jason Tei Long (WR- 94), respectively, and Uzbek Alexandr Kurishov (WR- 105), runner up in the April 1 Asia Triathlon Cup Pokhara, loom as dark horses.
On the women’s competition of what is also known as 2023 NTT AST Subic Bay Asia Cup, while Nakayama is ranked 77th in the world she was beaten by 39 seconds in the March 26 2023 World Triathlon Cup Plymouth. Aussie Charlotte McShane (world rank-91st) finished 35th ahead of Nakayama 38th.
All-out to spoil the top duo’s venture is Slovakia’s Margareta Bicanova (WR- 93), 3rd in Asia Triathlon Cup Pokhara, backed up by her country women Zuzana Michalickova (WR- 101), 40th in World Triathlon Cup Plymouth, and Komana Gajdosova (WR- 106), 3rd in 2023 Africa Triathlon Cup Troutbeck.
Before the year past, the last time the Japanese ruled the elite men was in 2017 when they romped off with 1st,3rd and 5th positions with the Koreans inserting themselves in-between; and in the elite women in 2015 when they finished 1-2.
As a platform for our local bets, as well as the other ASEAN countries’ hopefuls, to gauge their preparation for next month’s Cambodia Southeast Asian Games’ May 6 triathlon events, SuBIT, organized by Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), joined the trend in world and cups triathlon cups in downsizing the distances for elites to sprint.
Suiting for the Philippines in SuBIT presented by NTT and Asian Triathlon with Philippine Sports Commission, Standard Insurance and Asian Center for Insulation Philippines, Inc., are: male- Fernando Casares, Kim Remolino, Josh Ramos and Mathew Hermosa; female- Kim Mangrobang, Raven Alcoseba, Heart Quiambao and Kira Ellis (youngest at 17).
Mangrobang has dominated the past three editions of SEA Games triathlon while Casares was 2021 Vietnam SEA Games gold medalist.
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The above information was sourced from an official press release issued by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines. Some parts were modified for this website.
Recently in the progressive city of Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon signed into a law a landmark ordinance that deals with poverty in varied ways, 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…
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon signed a landmark ordinance on Jan. 5 that will address poverty by providing wide-ranging services to pregnant women and their children including nutrition, childcare and scholarship programs.
Ordinance No. 2022-035, or the Womb to Work Program Ordinance, was signed by Biazon after the Muntinlupa City Council passed it.
“The Womb to Work Program is a program that aims to provide a solution to poverty in our city. The program is designed to take care of a pregnant woman until she gives birth. We will help from schooling until employment to become a productive Muntinlupeño. This is part of our 7K Agenda,” said Biazon after signing the ordinance.
The ordinance states that the Muntinlupa City government is aligned with the 3rd National Plan of Action for Children, which aims to have children with “better quality and improved way of life; that children are well nourished, have healthy lives and are active learners with good quality education; that children are safe and free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation; (and) that children are actively participating in decision-making processes affecting their lives according to their evolving capacities.”
In implementing the ordinance, the city government will have the following goals:
– Reduction of maternal mortality, new born deaths and under five deaths reduction of morbidities by ensuring maternal and child health care, including new born care, with time tested and proven interventions and ensuring adequate essential supplies, drugs, access to health care and medical facilities;
– End children’s hunger and achieve food security and improved nutrition by drawing on broader and multi-sector nutrition sensitive programs that address the underlying effects of malnutrition and nutrition specific programs that address the immediate causes of malnutrition focusing on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life through infant and young child feeding, complementary and supplementary feeding;
– Combatting water-borne and communicable diseases;
– Prevention and treatment of substance abuse;
– Reduction of childhood disabilities, deaths and injuries from accidents and road crashes;
– Universal access of adolescents to reproductive health care services;
– Access to quality early child care and development with the expansion an accreditation of day care services and child development centers and mandatory kindergarten to make young children ready for school;
– Inclusive and quality basic education, alternative delivery modes, flexible learning options and alternative learning systems
The qualified pregnant or lactating women residing in Muntinlupa under the ordinance are those who are registered in the Womb to Work Program; live in informal settlements; with total household income below minimum wage; lack access to health and nutrition services; solo parents; with debilitating sickness; nutritionally at risk; belong to indigenous groups, farmers and fisherfolks; and other similar or analogous cases.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think the newly signed ordinance is indeed a landmark ordinance?
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
In the progressive City of Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon recently emphasized the end to violence against women and children which was part of a new campaign related to the subject matter, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The said campaign is ongoing and will last until December 12, 2022.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon called for a concerted effort to end violence against women and children (VAWC).
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) have issued guidelines in observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women slated from Nov. 25 to Dec. 12.
Citing 2017 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Biazon said one in four women aged 15 to 49 suffered physical, emotional, or sexual violence from their husbands or partners.
“Kaisa ang Pamahalaang Lungsod sa kampanya para wakasan ang karahasan sa mga kababaihan at kabataan (Violence Against Women and Children o VAWC) (The city government is one in the campaign to end violence against women and children),” he said.
In Muntinlupa, he said, there is the SAGIP ng Muntinlupa center that helps women and children who have experienced abuse.
There are also VAWC help desks in barangays to assist victims in the community. The city government has the Muntinlupa Gender And Development Office which implements programs to stop VAWC, said Biazon.
Data from SAGIP ng Muntinlupa showed that from January to October this year, it assisted 440 women and children who became victims of violence in Muntinlupa.
Of the 440 VAWC cases in the city, 314 or 71.4 percent were children while 126 or 28.6 percent were women.
Out of the 314 cases of violence against children, 71 were sexual abuse, including rape and incest. Among the 126 cases of violence against women, 38 or 30 percent were battery.
In 2021, SAGIP ng Muntinlupa recorded 416 cases of violence against women and children.
Biazon said the city government established the Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC (LCAT-VAWC) to coordinate and implement Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) and Republic Act 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004).
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this recent development? Do you consider violence towards women and children a serious problem in 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
Parañaque City is back again in the crime news. Instead of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) hitting and running over victims on the streets within the city (click here and here), twenty-four foreign women – specifically Chinese and Vietnamese) – were rescued by police officers Barangay Tambo and they arrested two Chinese nationals for human trafficking, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Twenty-four foreign women, allegedly victims of human trafficking, were rescued by Parañaque police on Monday, Sept. 26.
The cops also arrested two Chinese men identified a Du Wei, 36, and Fang Zeng, 28, the maintainers of the place where the women were rescued. They were charged for violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2003.
Police said the 24 women were rescued at around 11:30 p.m. in three rooms of Caseana Building in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.
Col. Renato Ocampo, city police chief, said prior to the rescue operation they received a report that 24 female foreign nationals, believed to be victims of human trafficking, were seen in the building.
Ocampo said that members of the Paranaque Police intelligence section immediately conducted a verification which confirmed the report.
He said that upon checking the passports of the rescued women, it turned out that 10 of them are Chinese nationals and 14 are Vietnamese.
The rescued victims were brought to the Parañaque Police Women and Children Protection Division.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Parañaque City resident, what can you say about this latest crime-related news? Do you think that Parañaque still has lots of hidden sex dens or prostitution joints that local authorities have yet to discover? What can you say about Chinese nationals operating discreet prostitution joints in the city? Are these illegal activities affecting your local community? What makes you think makes Parañaque an attractive or ideal destination for operating a sex den or a makeshift prison for people who became victims of illegal joints?
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
While I was able to visit the United States several times in my life, I never got to visit the state of Iowa. Very recently, Iowa made waves in the news as their governor Kim Reynolds signed into law a significant piece of state legislation that prohibits transgender girls and women from participating in sports events of females – specifically from kindergarten through college –, according to a CBN News report.
In the presence of many young ladies and little girls, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds formally signed into law House File 2416 which prohibits biological males from competing in females’ sports. (photo source – @IAGovernor)
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the CBN News report. Some parts in boldface…
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed a bill Thursday that prohibits transgender girls and women from participating in female sports from kindergarten through college.
During the signing of House File 2416, Reynolds was surrounded by a group of cheerful young female athletes. The measure received approval from the state’s House and Senate, passing with a vote of 31 to 17.
“This is a victory for girls’ sports in Iowa,” Reynolds said in a statement. “No amount of talent, training or effort can make up for the natural physical advantages males have over females. It’s simply a reality of human biology. Forcing females to compete against males is the opposite of inclusivity and it’s absolutely unfair.”
Under the new law, schools at all levels must designate sporting events as male, female, or co-ed. Students wanting to compete in sports must play with others that match the gender listed on their birth certificate.
Numerous groups shared their support of HF 2416 and applauded Gov. Reynolds for defending female sports in Iowa.
“Protecting girls’ sports isn’t political; it’s biological reality,” said The Family Leader, a conservative group based in Iowa. “Allowing genetically male athletes to compete in women’s sports puts our girls at an undeniable physical disadvantage and threatens their athletic opportunities. Our high school girls and college women deserve to compete on a level playing field, and today, that playing field is protected.”
“Trans girls are boys, not girls. Trans women are men, not women,” remarked State Senator Jeff Taylor (R-District 2) during a hearing about safeguarding women’s sports.
Christiana Holcomb, senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), praised Iowa for passing the legislation.
“When the law ignores biological reality, female athletes lose medals, podium spots, public recognition, and opportunities to compete,” Holcomb said. “Comparably fit and trained males will always have physical advantages over females – that’s the reason we have girls’ sports.
However, Iowa Safe Schools, an LGBTQ youth advocacy group, called the measure “a solution in search of a problem” to score “petty political points at the expense of Iowa’s children,” the organization tweeted.
Iowa became the 11th state to ban transgender athletes from competing in female sports. Others include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.
While I am clearly not a resident of Iowa and it has been many long years since my time of sports officiating has ended, I must say that the new law of Iowa makes perfect sense and it should help the collective American efforts to push back against the wrongful allowing of biological males competing right along with their female counterparts in sports events that are meant for female competition.
I personally saw lots of local sports events which had competitive categories specific to age-groups (apart from the normal men’s open and women’s open categories) which are further split by gender. Take for example, in a foot race that attracts several hundred participants, the athletes belonging to the 20-24 age-group who emerged as the top 3 finishers of their gender result the awarding of medals and prizes to the top 3 males and top 3 females under the 20-24 age category. Winners of different genders under the same age-group are not to be awarded in a mixed-gender approach.
The trend of transgendered females – who are biological males identifying as females – competing with true females (biological females) in female sports events is very wrong and clearly unfair. As such, I strongly agree with Iowa’s new law and I can say that the other states that implemented the ban on transgender athletes from competing in female sports did the right thing. Transgender athletes’ participation will ruin not only female-focused sports events but sports events in general as we know it.
Let us be clear here. God created human beings only in the form of male and female. There is simply no in-between and no alternatives to the male and female. Read the holy scriptures below. Key parts related to gender in boldface for you readers…
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28 (NKJV)
So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
And Adam said:
“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”
Genesis 2:20-23 (NKJV)
The holy story of God’s creation of humans with male and female as the genders is definitive and clearly truthful. “Transgender” refers to an individual whose gender identity differs in some way from his/her birth or biological sex. To put it clearly, transgenderism is an abnormality and like homosexuality, it is also an abomination. Transgenderism is clearly unnatural. In addition, there is a Satanic Left effort in this world that exists to not only cause gender confusion but also distort humanity as well. For added insight, watch the video below…
For added insight about the unfair inclusion of biological males in females’ sports events, watch the videos below…
Going back to the CBN News report, I strongly agree with Governor Kim Reynolds that the law she signed is a victory for girls’ sports in their state and that having biological females forced to compete against biological males is both unfair and the opposite of inclusivity. I also strongly agree with The Family Leader group that the protection of girls’ sports is a biological reality and not political. Iowa state senator Jeff Taylor pointed out the obvious – Trans girls are boys. Trans women are men.
We should praise and thank the Lord for this Iowa breakthrough. We should pray to Him that more states around the United States as well as nations around the world will follow Iowa’s example and set the record straight – females’ sports are strictly for biological females.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What can you say about Iowa’s approved law banning transgender girls and women from participating in sports events of females? Do you agree that biological females should always be protected from the biological males trying to compete against them in sports events that are meant for females? Do you think that the transgendered people are being discriminated? If you are a parent and you know that your athlete daughter will be competing with a disadvantage in a sports event that includes biological males as her competitors, how would you feel?
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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. 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/
There is no doubt that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games was historic for the Philippines thanks to Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial who won four medals combined, including the Olympic gold (in women’s weightlifting).
In addition to the established law that guaranteed that the Olympic medalists will receive millions of pesos worth of incentives from the national government, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president Ramon S. Ang will give over P20 million more in incentives to them according to a recent report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…
San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president Ramon S. Ang will give Tokyo Olympics medalists, led by the country’s very first gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz, a total of PHP22 million in incentives for accomplishing the Philippines’ best Olympic performance to date, in 97 years of competing in the foremost international competition.
Ang’s “personal gift” or incentive to the winning athletes, as earlier announced by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) prior to the Summer Games, will consist of PHP10 million for weightlifter Diaz, PHP5 million each for boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio for winning silver medals, and PHP2 million for boxer Eumir Marcial’s bronze finish.
“As a longtime partner and supporter of Philippine sports, I’m so happy for our athletes. All their hard work paid off. They’ve opened the eyes of so many Filipinos sports patrons, fans, and aspiring athletes that indeed, we Filipinos can compete and win against the best in the world in the Olympics. This is just the beginning. We have the momentum. We can only get stronger in the succeeding Olympics,” Ang said in a news release on Monday.
“I’m especially grateful to Hidilyn, whom we’ve supported for several years now, for giving honor to the country by winning our very first Olympic gold medal. We can build on these successes to develop stronger sports programs and produce more Olympic winners like Hidilyn, Carlo, Nesthy, and Eumir,” he added.
Ang also said the Olympic athletes, as well as their coaches and teams, gave the Philippines more than just medals.
“The message of this Olympic campaign for us Filipinos is clear. We are resilient in the face of challenges and we do not back down from adversity. This pandemic is perhaps one of the greatest challenges in our lifetime. Thank you Hidilyn, Carlo, Nesthy, and Eumir for giving us hope and inspiration during this critical time. You showed us that nothing is impossible,” Ang said.
Ang added that as the Olympics showcased the outstanding athletic feats that fully-trained athletes are capable of, it also serves as a reminder that people are not limited, and that Filipinos should endeavor to keep fit and healthy in the face of Covid-19 pandemic.
“Aside from following health protocols to stop the transmission of the virus and getting vaccinated, we should also do our best to make sure we are mentally and physically fit and healthy during this crisis. I believe that will help us a lot in coping with the stresses of this time,” Ang said.
Before the pandemic, SMC consistently supported the country’s participation and hosting of international competitions, including the staging of 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Wow! The deep generosity of Ramon S. Ang is undeniable and he is absolutely right that great achievers who competed in very tough competitions should be rewarded handsomely. While Republic Act Number 10699 (RA10699) guarantees that the national government will release incentives for national athletes who won medals in specific competitions, private sector-provided incentives are undeniably helpful and very welcome. Thank our Heavenly Father for all the success achieved and the blessings that manifested! Thank the Lord also for the tremendous Olympic success the Philippines achieved!
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you very happy for everything that our nation’s four Olympic medalists achieved for the Filipino people at the Tokyo Olympics? Are you delighted to learn that the Olympic medalists as well as all the other Philippine Team members who did not win medals at the Tokyo Olympics will be rewarded accordingly?
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. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
Like the late Philippine boxer Anthony Villanueva, Nesthy Petecio will bring back home an Olympic silver medal (thank the Lord for another medal for the nation) now that the finals of the women’s featherweight (54-57kg) division is over. Yesterday, Petecio did her best in the quest for another Olympic gold medal as she fought with Japan’s Sena Irie resulting a loss by means of a unanimous decision.
Regardless, Petecio has been congratulated by many in the Philippines and her silver medal finish is still highly significant as it boosted the nation in the Olympic medal rankings (now 1 gold and 1 silver). Her also achievement brings back memories of Anthony Villanueva who, like her, settled for the silver medal in the same sport (specifically men’s featherweight division) in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. Villanueva lost to the Soviet Union’s Stanislav Stepashkin in the final match.
To put things in perspective about the Petecio-Irie fight, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA Network sports news report. Some parts in boldface…
A gallant Nesthy Petecio fell short as she settled for a silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after bowing to hometown bet Sena Irie of Japan in the final round of the women’s featherweight division Tuesday at the Kokugikan Arena.
The 29-year-old pug struggled to connect in the first round as Irie, who is nine years younger than the FIlipina fighter, utilized an effective clinch game to slow Petecio’s offense. The Japanese boxer got the nod of all five judges, 10-9.
But Petecio battled back in the second round as she broke free to landed some strong punches to secure a 4-1 scorecard and brought the bout to a decision in the last round.
In the crucial third round, Irie was able continued to be effective in grabbing and holding Petecio, though the Filipina was able to launch some power shots.
All five judges saw the round in favor of the Japanese fighter, though, as she won 5-0 to clinch the gold medal.
Irie is a very familiar face to Petecio.
She denied the Filipino boxer an outright Olympic berth when they met in the Asia and Oceania Olympic Boxing Qualifiers last March 2020.
Petecio needed to wait for a few more months before formalizing her Tokyo entry after a decision to give her the slot was made by the International Olympic Committee Boxing Task Force (IOC-BTF) early this year.
The feat also allowed Petecio to match what the last Filipino Olympic boxing medalist, Onyok Velasco, accomplished in the 1996 Atlanta Games, where he won a silver medal.
Despite the loss, it was still an inspiring campaign for the gritty Petecio.
She has opened up about her battle with mental health issues before bouncing back strong in her recent outings.
In a heartfelt interview on Stand For Truth, Petecio revealed she had to overcome depression after a discouraging loss in the 2018 Asian Games, which had her questioning her place in the sport.
But displaying true fighting spirit, the Davao-born boxer returned and captured gold in both the 2019 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship and the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
As you can see in the above report, Petecio went through lots of challenges behind the scenes and fortunately for the Philippines, she made it to the Olympics in Japan and defeated all the opponents which led her (and the nation) in the finals of her weight division.
Considering all what she went through, the Olympic silver medal finish is still highly significant for the Philippines and it proves that the nation is indeed improving globally in sports while also making its place in 21st century Olympic history look even better. Adding more good news here is the fact that the Philippine hunt for gold in the Olympics is not yet over.
For those of you based in the Philippines reading this, do your part congratulating and thanking Petecio for winning Olympic honors for the Philippines. Also be sure to thank our Heavenly Father for this blessing for the country.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are based in the Philippines, what is your reaction to Petecio taking home the Olympic silver medal? If you saw the fight on TV, do you think the judges were correct in scoring the boxing match?
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. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
Glory is truly meant only for our Lord. Not people, not carved figures, not images and not man-made creations. We only glorify the Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit.
In recent times, South African swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker glorified God and used her successful achievements at the Tokyo Olympic Games to lead others to Him. The said achievements include establishing new records in the women’s 100-meter breaststroke and also in the 200-meter breaststroke. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the CBN News report. Some parts in boldface…
Tatjana Schoenmaker — an Olympic swimmer from South Africa — has shattered records this week in the women’s 200-meter breaststroke, and she’s using her success to point others to God.
The swimmer set a new Olympic record Wednesday in the preliminary round with a time of 2:19.16. Then on Friday, she went on to win the gold in the event, setting a new world record with a time of 2:18.95.
The 24-year-old Olympian broke another record in the preliminary rounds for the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:04.82. She ended up claiming the silver medal in the Monday event, Sportsnet reported.
In all her competitions in Tokyo, Schoenmaker has worn — under her green South Africa swim cap — another cap proclaiming her faith.
The white Speedo cap the athlete is wearing features a blue Jesus fish under the phrase “Soli Deo Gloria,” which means “Glory to God alone,” printed on the side of it.
Schoenmaker has used her platform to discuss her Christian faith before.
In an Instagram post last week, she posted a prayer as she traveled to Tokyo for the summer Olympic Games.
On the mentioned Instagram post, Schoenmaker wrote: Father God may your will be done, may your peace fill us up, may we praise you no matter what the outcome, may we be empowered by your strength to give it our all and may we forever be in the awe of your goodness! Thank you for bringing us to this very moment 🙏🏻
It is essential to be mindful that inhabitants of this deeply divided world struggle with the temptations of honoring and even worshiping their fellow people who achieved greatness or are simply charming. Think about all the people who idolized movie stars, sports champions, fashion models, dancers, politicians and even fictional characters! Idolatry towards individual persons begins when people get overwhelmed by the would-be-idol’s success or charisma, and this leads them to prioritizing those individuals and forget the Lord as a result. Idolatry is unholy, foolish and will separate people from the Lord! Nobody should ever give in to the temptation of idolizing because that is precisely what Satan wants. Learn from the New Living Translation (NLT) and The Passion Translation (TPT) of 1 Corinthians 6:9:-10 below…
Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NLT)
Surely you must know that people who practice evil cannot possess God’s kingdom realm. Stop being deceived! People who continue to engage in sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, sexual perversion, homosexuality, fraud, greed, drunkenness, verbal abuse, or extortion—these will not inherit God’s kingdom realm.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (TPT)
It is also important to remember that God is our Creator and our Source. Blessings in the forms of heavenly income and tremendous human achievements only come from Him. By comparison, idols will never bless their idolaters no matter how much they idolize! As such, it was right and proper for South Africa’s Tatjana Schoenmaker to glorify God because what she achieved was made possible by Him. Only God can make the impossible become possible. In using her success to honor God, Schoenmaker is also doing her part in helping Him save the countless lost and unsaved souls of this world, and help Him build His Kingdom here on Earth.
Of course, I am not saying that fellow people who achieve greatness should be ignored. They can still be congratulated, rewarded and be celebrated to a certain limit. To worship or prioritize the human achiever over our Lord is very wrong. Glorify God, not people. Follow His Word, not those man-made doctrines or pieces of fiction. Be led by faith in the Lord, not religion, not unbelief, and not by this divided world. Learn from the following holy scriptures below…
Now to God, the only source of wisdom, be glorious praises for endless ages through Jesus, the Anointed One! Amen!
Romans 16:27 (TPT)
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3 (NKJV)
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.
For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come into His courts.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Tremble before Him, all the earth.
Psalm 96:1-9 (NKJV)
And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:13-15 (NKJV)
Every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many-colored tapestry of God’s grace.
1 Peter 4:10 (TPT)
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
Mark 12:30 (NKJV)
Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others.
For we know that we will receive a reward, an inheritance from the Lord, as we serve the Lord Yahweh, the Anointed One!
Colossians 3:23-24 (TPT)
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV)
From this point on, I would like to reach out to the lost and the unsaved people reading this. Are you frustrated with religion? Have you been living in bondage for too long? Did the atheists, the humanists and the secularists fool and abused you? Were you victimized by a religious zealot? Have you been living as a homosexual or as a transgendered person? Are you still addicted to sex, drugs and other inappropriate elements? Did you spend an entire life worshiping statues, statuettes, images, people and relics? Are you a toxic person or one of those modern-day Leftist activists (Black Lives Matter, Democratic Socialists of America, the abortionists and others) who got fed up fighting for worthless causes? Did you kill someone and have been living so long with the guilt? All of that darkness can finally end and you can decide to do it! How? You can save yourselves by submitting yourselves to the Lord Jesus willingly and realize He is the Light! No force and no coercion here. You have time and freedom to decide to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. For those who have decided to get born again now and gain salvation, please read the instructions and follow the prayer that I learned from a pastor.
Are you ready? Firstly, open your heart to the Lord and pray this simple prayer in sincerity from your heart:
Father God,
I thank You. I believe Jesus is Your Son. I believe that He died for me and redeemed me from all of my sins. He took my sins and, Father, thank You for loving me and You demonstrated Your love for me through Your Son Jesus Christ. Forgive me for all of my sins. Jesus, I open my heart to You. I welcome You to enter into my heart. I confess today that You are now my Lord and Savior. Thank You for forgiveness. I receive forgiveness. Thank You for Your blood that cleansed me from all of my sins. I will follow You, Jesus. Thank You for Your plan. I receive the Holy Spirit. And Holy Spirit, help me to follow the will of God in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Congratulations! You are now a child of God! You have received Holy Spirit in your heart! This is easily your greatest decision ever made and also the greatest miracle of your life. Always praise, thank and honor the Lord. No more darkness in your life caused by politics, radicalism, toxicity, rebellion, religion, unbelief, evil, idolatry, traditions and rituals! Leave behind the darkness of your life and don’t look back to it. Remember that idolatry is evil, Purgatory is a lie, penance is a deception and Satan always used religion and unbelief to prevent people from being saved by the Lord.
With Lord Jesus, you are already moving forward and the best is yet to come! You also have a personal relationship with God, a relationship that is strictly off-limits to others (even to your household members or biological family members).
With your new life realized, make an effort to get yourself copy of the Holy Bible (start with New King James Version), study it and apply its lessons into your life no matter what situation you are in right now. I also recommend you to join a local Christian church that God has chosen for you (note: ask Him for a local church!) and find your place in the spiritual family (God’s family!). Be planted when the Lord shows you the way! Worship the Lord together with them and always remember that faith, not religion, is essential in your personal relationship with God. When you are at home, be in your room with the door shut and have fellowship with our Heavenly Father. On a personal level, practice Christian Habits here and there. Remember the truth that God rewards the faithful abundantly and continue to be people of the Word. Declare your love for Him as well!
The Holy Bible is the ultimate authority and nothing else comes close to it for it is the Word of God. Remember always that Lord Jesus did not die on the cross to start religion. He died to redeem us all and showed that we must be led by faith in Him, faith in the Holy Spirit and faith in God the Heavenly Father. He rose from the dead and made His earthly presence felt once more to those who believed in Him. Lord Jesus ascended to Heaven and He promised to return in the future. His return is what we must always remember and keep living with holiness under the watch of God. We can do our part in building up God’s kingdom here on Earth by preaching His Word, blessing the Jewish people and saving the countless lost and unsaved souls around us by leading them to Lord Jesus. Living as a Christian is always about the personal relationship with the Lord, and it is certainly not about religion. Never let the idolaters, the idol makers and other sinister forces fool you into becoming unholy.
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. Sharing this Christian piece means spreading the good news of the Lord to others. It can help you save the unsaved and the lost souls out there.
Author Carlo Carrasco 