During the Pre-colonial period in the mountainous regions of the Cordillera, there exists a symbol that represents a man’s valor, strength, supremacy, and victory. Any mandirigma with this symbol is feared, honored, and respected by any other man who crosses paths with him. This symbol is called a batek. Presently, a batek is equivalent to a gold-plated medal that signifies an individual’s dominance over his/her opponents in an event. Recently, the 26th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) commenced in Palembang, Indonesia with the Philippines sending more than 700 delegates to compete in different sports event. Now that the SEA Games is about to reach the finish line, it seems that the Philippines campaign this year is not as strong as most people expected. It seems that the strength of ancient Filipino mandirigmas cannot be matched by the power of the Filipino athletes. But should this poor turnout be blamed to the Filipino athletes? Or should the fingers be pointed to the manner the Philippine Sports is being implemented in the country?
A few weeks ago, the Philippine Dragon Boat Team became famous for winning five gold medals and two silver medals in the International Dragon Boat Federation Championships in Tampa Bay, Florida last August. However, controversi
es sparked when the PDBF won without any support from the Philippine Sports Commission. Greater sparks flew when PDBF refused the suggestion of PSC to be infused with the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Federation because the two are different sports. This instigated an investigation in the Upper House. But it seems it led to no results not solving the issue at hand. The legislators might have forgotten that investigations are made in aid of legislation. And yet, up till present time, no bills or laws were passed regarding the issue. Today, PDBF is still not recognized by the PSC. If only PSC recognized PDBF and sent them as the delegates for the canoeing event in the SEA Games instead of PCKF, then the Philippines could have had a greater chance of winning more than one gold medal.
Besides the PDBF-PCKF issue, the Philippines again sent a delegate to the SEA Games with no funding. The thing is this team won the gold medal in the men’s division. This team is the Philippine Baseball Team. It was said that the team received no funding because PSC opted to
support other sports that would give a greater chance for the country to win gold medals. And that the team with its great number of participants could only bring home a few medals. Well, this choice backfired PSC because, as it turned out, the sports they supported did not delivered a good number of gold medals like boxing and billiards with three a piece, bowling with only one, and swimming with none.
Another problem that the Philippines encountered in this year’s SEA Games is that it didn’t send any delegates to some sports like volleyball. It was said that that the reason for this decision was the Philippine Women’s Volleyball Tem delivered a very poor performance in the recent Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championships. This was such dismay to many Filipinos who believed that the Women’s Volleyball Team could deliver and be victorious over other South East Asian volleyball teams. Besides, the participants in the AWCVC included volleyball giants like China, Japan, and South Korea. It’s improper to compare the Philippine’s Women’s Volleyball Team with the three, because each have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Over the 44 events in the 26th SEA Games, the Philippines was only able to produce a total of 169 medals (36 gold, 56 silver, and 77 bronze medals); a poor turnout comparing to the Philippines’ campaign in the years, 1987, 1991, and 2005. PS
C Chairman Richie Garcia and Philippine Olympic Committee President Peping Cojuangco also expected that the country will be able to haul 70 gold medals that will put the Philippines in the 4th seat. These facts reflect the poor performance of the PSC and POC in the implementation and improvement of Philippine Sports. If there are no shifts in the present paradigm, the Philippines might be left behind by its neighboring countries and the country’s dream of reaching the Olympics and winning a gold medal might be far from happening. This is a call not only to PSC and to POC. The President must recognize the problems the Philippine Sports is presently facing and find ways to solve them. Good decisions are not enough. The authorities must create the best judgments i
n improving Philippine Sports. If this does not happen, PSC and POC will continue to be the hurdles that would trouble and hinder Philippine Sports from reaching its maximum potential.
Sources:
Tordesillas, E. (2011 August 8). Philippine Dragon Boat Team Win 5 Gold, 2 Silver Medals in International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships. Retrieved on November 21, 2011 from http://showbiznest.blogspot.com/2011/08/philippine-dragon-boat-team-win-5-gold.html.
Manotoc, T. (2011 November 20). SEA Games: PH wins gold in men’s baseball. Retrieved on November 21, 2011 from http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/11/20/11/sea-games-ph-wins-gold-mens-baseball.
Luarca, R. (2011 November 10). 26th SEA Games kicks off Friday. Retrieved on November 21, 2011 from http://sports.inquirer.net/24007/26th-sea-games-kicks-off-friday.
onlinejournalism419 
Your lead is too long. However, it is very informative. You should also have connected your concept of ‘mandirigma’ lead to your conclusion.
Your title too gives an impression that POC and PSC are the culprit why we have a poor performance in the internaitonal sports scene. It is like your final statement. From the title, you already concluded that they are to be blame on this. You should have a title in the question form. In this way, you will leave the decision to your readers.
Nevertheless, your article sheds light on why we have a looming problem on Philippine sports. For me, it is not the athletes who are to be blamed on this pressing issue. It is not their fault. Sometimes, it is the people who manages or spearheads the sports development program in the country.
Your grade is 94.
Your lead is too long but very informative. You should have made shorter paragraphs for easier readability.
Also, your title seems like it is your final statement. It gives the impression that POC and PSC are to be blame on the pressing issue that we have a looming problem in the internaitonal sports scene. You should have made it in the quesiron form. In that way, you’ll leave the decision to your readers.
You should have also connected your last paragraph of your article to you “mandirigma” concept of your lead.
Nevertheless, your article shed light on the controversies surrounding our sports development program. It gives emphasis that athletes are not to be blamed on the fact that our campaign in the SEA Games is weakening each year. For me, proper implementation of programs, and the support to these athletes are what matters. People behind sports governing bodies should set aside their politicking if they really wanted to further improve the performance of our athletes. After all, their duty and aim is to promote sports in the country, to discover potential heroes in the sports and to give honor to our motherland.
Your grade is 94.
Thank you Gerald for your comments! They were insightful!
I like your lead very creative
I also like how you connect the controversies that’s happening in the sports field of our country
it is sad how other athletes sacrifices their own money just to compete for our country.
on the negative side you lead is “hanggang lead lang talaga sya di ko na nabasaa sa dulo” (naubusan ako ng english hahaha)
your grade is 94
maybe you can be the next best selling author like paulo coelho (: hahaha..
Thanks Nash for checking my work. I agree with what Gerald has already said about your work. I love your article because it is informative particularly in the first paragraph which you gave us a background about ‘batek.’ I just would like to see your article a little bit shorter the next time around (ang haba kasi tol, nakakagod basahin. hehe). I give this 93 Nash.
Benggg’ gahh!
Nash, I will save the my last comment for you… hehehe
The lead somehow didn’t have the transition in the next ideas, that will make readers ask what is the essence of mentioning that when they couldn’t immediately see its connection. Readers should grasp the flow of the idea so they can follow the thread of your ideas . 🙂
Well-detailed, very informative and it sounds more of an investigative-type of article rather that a feature one that will somehow be just light and entertaining.
It is as well important to consider the knowledge of the readers. Not all people know PSC or POC. Layman’s term could be useful in expounding your idea. Detailed information will make an article credible but it will somehow spoil the spice of the reader’s interest to read it.
In the grand scale of things, it is still a commendable article. With that your grade is 94. 🙂
I think the article is too “heavy” to be considered as a feature article. Haha As to what I thought a feature story should be. But still, the writer is obviously very good. He included good and interesting ideas in the whole article. It is just somehow on the theme of the article that look so problematic to me as a reader. 🙂
As expected, the lead is very descriptive which is good (It adds interests to the readers), however, the paragraphs are too long. Learned to cut information for effective readability. All in all, you’re a good writer (as always). NO DOUBT.
Grade:95
Nothing to say… this is for you…
94…
You have a good lead but not to catchy for general readers. On the other hand, you’ve made a good point when you incorporated history as a spring board to start off your article. Another good point is on the last paragraph. You have included the side of PSC which balanced the angle of your feature article. Congrats ;))
your grade is 93.
Thanks guys!
It is a good thing pointing out that the government doesn’t give enough support (morally and financially) all the sports we play in SEA Games.
very informative article.
It’s nice having good and bad views on your article.
Learn how to cut paragraphs.
grade: 92
You have a very imaginative and creative lead however, it is quite long. But, this article is very informative.
Regarding on the issue, it is obvious that there are problems that need to be solved so that our very own athletes can improve and do better next time. The result of the sea games should not be blamed on athletes alone. There are many things to consider like having the lack of support from the government, lack of facilities, lack of financial support, etc.
All in all, your article is nice. But don’t forget to connect your lead to your conclusion.
Your grade is 91