Marjorie Duran: Woman Power In Dragon Boat

For Marjorie Duran, PDBF Premier Elite Women's Team member and spokesperson, the 16th IDBF World Championships will be her first participation in what is considered the Olympics of dragon boat. In an exclusive interview, Marj speaks of her excitement and firm resolve to give her best for the country in the upcoming world championships. 1. How did you get involved with dragon boat? Paano ka nagsimula? May nakita lang akong poster online. As in, no idea about the sport. Gusto ko lang magkaroon ng sport that suits me. So, sabi ko, try ko dragon boat, baka sakali. Lo and behold, after several years, nandito pa rin ako sa dragon boat. 2. How did you become a part of the PDBF Premier Elite Women's Team? Actually, meron kaming try-outs. Months ago, PDBF announced among its clubs na it is forming its premier elite teams that will compete in the world championships in Thailand. So, nag-try-out ako together with some of our teammates. Luckily, I was accepted and we started training for the competition. 3. Mahirap ba ang training ninyo? It is hard kasi hindi lahat kami full-time athletes. We have work, that is the first challenge. Pagod ka na sa work but you still have to train. We practice six times a week. May boat training, weight training, swimming and boat paddling. 4. What are your expectations as you compete in Thailand? We hope to bring trophies and medals for the country. Personally, wala akong expectations dahil this is my first time to compete in the world championships. But we will do our best and give everyone a good fight. 5. Are you getting ample support from government and private sector? Government, I am not sure. Walang allotment from government so far. So, we are trying to get sponsors from the private sector. Actually, limited talaga ang fund namin. We can't sponsor everyone in the team. 6. How must does it cost per paddler to go to Thailand? The initial assessment is forty-five thousand pesos. Tipid na yun. 7. What countries do you expect to give your team stiff competition? Syempre nandyan ang China which has full government support. Thailand is very strong too. Singapore as well. 8. Anong message ang gusto mong iparating sa ating mga kababayan? Ang message ko lang na sinasabi ko noon pa is thank you. Yung mga kababayan natin continue to inspire us to do well. Makita lang namin ang ating mga kababayan na sumusuporta, it motivates us to represent them well.

JM DE JESUS: ANG BAGONG MUKHA NG PDBF PREMIER ELITE TEAM

Lumipas ang panahon. Wala na ang mga dating world champions. Mga bagong mukha na ang pumalit. Subalit nananatili ang matinding kagustuhan na makapag-uwi ng karangalan para sa bansa.

Isa si JM de Jesus sa bagong mukha sa PDBF Premier Elite Team na kalahok sa 16th IDBF World Championships sa Pattaya, Thailang sa Agosto. Sa isang exclusive na panayam sa kasalukuyang team captain ng PDBF Premier Elite Team, inilahad ni JM ang ginagawang paghahanda ng kanyang koponan para sa prestiyosong torneo.

1. Paano ka napabilang sa PDBF Premier Elite Team?

Nagsagawa ng try-outs ang PDBF noong February ngayong taon. Sumailalim kami sa land and boat trials para malaman kung sinu-sino ang pinakamalalakas at mabibilis na atleta ng PDBF. Kinuha ng PDBF ang top 22 sa mga nag-tryout. Luckily, isa ako sa pumasa.

2. Ilang taon ka ng paddler?

Dalawang taon pa lang po. Ito po ang una kong pagsali sa World Championships.

3. What are your expectations at the IDBF World Championships?

We expect stiff competition from China, Thailand and Canada. China dahil sa kanila galing ang sport. Thailand dahil nag-level up sila. Malalaki at matatangkad ang paddlers ng Thailand. Canada dahil mahahaba ang biyas nila. Lately, ang Macau scored a major breakthrough sa sport kaya expect din naman na lalaban sila.

4. Malaking pondo ang kailangan para makasali sa IDBF World Championships. May suporta ba kayong natatanggap?

May mga suporta kaming natatanggap from individuals and organizations pero hindi sapat para makumpleto yung program namin. Meron kaming natatatanggap pero sobrang konti. From the government, travel tax exemption ang maaaring makuha namin na makakatulong pa rin. That is why, namimigay kami ng letters asking for financial support.

5. Merong ka bang medal projections fpr your team?

Sa Open, apat na medals ang inaasahan ko sa apat na events. Kasali kami sa dalawang short at dalawang long distances. Sa 200 meters, may pag-asa tayo sa gold.

6. Bilang pagtatapos, ano ang mensahe mo para sa ating mga kababayan?

Siguro ang message na gusto ko iparating sa ating mga kababayan ay suportahan, panuorin at mag-cheer para sa team. Kailangan namin ang suporta ng bawat isa. Opinyon ko lang, yung mga sports na hindi tayo nananalo, yun ang napapansin. Pero yung mga sports na marami tayong magagaling na atleta, napapansin lang after sila manalo. Sana maisip at makita ito ng ating mga kababayan para patuloy na makapagbigay ng karangalan sa bansa ang ating mga atleta. We have to determine and more importantly support, the various sports where we can excel in order  to produce truly world-class athletes.

A GREAT DISSERVICE BY PNVF

With the certification issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last January 31, 2022 declaring that Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) was legally constituted on March 3, 2021, we can now say, in no uncertain terms, that the by-laws submitted by PNVF to FIVB last February 1, 2021 are fake.

It is just so sad that an organization that represents the country and its people resorts to the submission of fake documents to achieve its purpose. For one, it greatly tarnishes the reputation of the country in the international community. PNVF greatly reinforces with that single stunt the common belief among nations that documents from the Philippines are fake. Two, the submission of fake documents is a sad reflection of the kind of values that Filipinos hold. The audacity to submit fake documents shows how Filipinos simply do not have pride, honor and integrity in their work. Three, the submission of fake documents is, in fact, against the law.

But what is most lamentable is that we collectively refuse to hold PNVF accountable. We continue to support PNVF using taxpayers' money despite the fake documents. We continue to patronize PNVF despite the fake documents. 

It is imperative that PNVF is removed as a Philippine representative. We need to show the world that PNVF does not truly represent the values and ideals of the country and its people. We must restore our dignity by holding PNVF accountable.

31ST SEA GAMES IN VIETNAM: AT WHAT COST?

Vietnam, as host country, wants to postpone the 31st SEA Games. The Vietbam Olympic Committee asked the Olympic committees of ASEAN members for their decision whether to postpone or push through with the Games in November. 8 out of 11 countries voted for the Games to go on as scheduled.

It is unfortunate that majority of the ASEAN members seem to forget that Covid-19 can kill and cause so much domestic problems as they insist in holding the Games this year. Gathering thousands of athletes, sports officials and sports writers in Vietnam is a virtual suicide. The Games are certainly a super spreader event. 

What makes the vote of the 8 countries not to postpone the games so ridiculous is the fact that the Games will only be postponed for a later date. The Games will not be cancelled at all. Vietnam is simply asking for a delay in holding the Games to contain the Covid-19 virus and effectively manage the risk of infection among the participants.

There is a human aspect to the issue.  No amount of gold medals can compensate for the loss of lives because of Covid-19. No amount of gold medals can make up for the possible spread of the virus to eleven countries. 

Gold medals do not define sports heroes. Love for human life and ability to know what is best for humanity do.

ALL POC OFFICIALS MUST NOW RESIGN

When it was revealed that Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) endorsed Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) to FIVB when PNVF was not yet legally constituted, POC lost its credibility and moral ascendancy to act as a National Olympic Committee (NOC).

POC knew that PNVF was not yet registered with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last January 27, 2021. Yet, POC and the POC GA hurriedly accepted PNVF as POC member. Item 5 of the POC Membership Requirements stipulates that a federation must be registered with SEC before it can be accepted as a POC member. Worse, POC Secretary-General Atty. Edwin Gastanes wrote a letter of endorsement to FIVB Director General Fabio Azevedo for PNVF. Clearly. Atty. Gastanes knowingly endorsed an entity that he knew was not eligible for membership to FIVB right at the very start. But the POC Secretary-General obviously could not care for rules. Articles 2.2.1 and 2.2.5 of the FIVB Constitution requires National Federations to be legally constituted.

There is simply no excuse for what POC did for PNVF at the expense of PVF. Thus, the only thing left for POC officials to do is to resign. After all, what they did is a national and international embarrassment. Resignation is the only way they can salvage whatever is left of their their pride and honor.

PVF AND THE 37TH FIVB WORLD CONGRESS

                                                           courtesy of fivb.org

Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) received its invitation to attend the 37th FIVB World Congress last November 27, 2020. The invitation clearly establishes the fact that FIVB now recognizes PVF a member of FIVB. Only FIVB members are allowed, after all, to attend the FIVB World Congress.

But as soon as the FIVB invitation was made public by PVF, rumors started to circulate. Rumors have it that the big comeback of PVF in FIVB will be derailed by certain FIVB officials belonging to the FIVB mafia.

One thing that the FIVB mafia seem to forget as it maps out a plan to overthrow PVF is the fact that the decision to retain PVF was made by the FIVB General Assembly (FIVB GA). The FIVB GA will certainly not allow its decision to be disrespected and thrown out the window as it will set a dangerous precedent.. The decision of the FIVB GA must be honored and protected at all cost.

The FIVB mafia will certainly try to stop PVF from claiming its rightful place. But it will fail miserably. There are a lot of FIVB members, after all, who are highly principled to make sure that truth and justice will prevail this time for PVF.

PEARL MANAGUELOD AND HER BRAVE POC JOURNEY

 

I have learned through the years that whoever sits as Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president, Philippine sports will still end up in its sordid and deplorable state. Past POC presidents have always been associated with corruption cases. The same goes true with other POC elected officials. Thus, the coming election does not give me hope for any change to occur in POC.

But this year's POC election introduces a newcomer who dares to prove me wrong. Pearl Managuelod, the muay thai federation secretary-general, is running for the first time for an elected POC position. She is running for Board Director in the November 27 POC election.

In an exclusive interview, Managuelod answers the questions that many are afraid to ask candidates who seek POC elected posts.

1. Why did you decide to run for Board Director in the coming POC election?

Cong. Tolentino asked me to run under his ticket as a Board Director. When I asked him why me instead of the other seemingly more qualified NSA leaders, he said that he saw the success of our NSA under my leadership. Given my academic background, I believe I can contribute significantly to the development of sports in the country. 

2. What changes do you plan to introduce to POC once elected?

I have an athlete-centered philosophy so most of the programs and policies I want to introduce are geared for our athletes' holistic development, high performance training, safeguarding scholarship funds, education and career transition. It is all about empowerment and capacity-building.

3. Why did you decide to run under Tolentino's ticket?

He has a reliable team. They can play the game. They walk the talk. They seek to unify rather than focus on divisiveness. They share my athlete-centered philosophy.

4. Tolentuno voted not to file charges against PHISGOC. Do you agree with his vote?

I am for accountability and transparency. I did my own research and even went to the Department of Budget Management (DBM) to clarify things. I know that Cong. Bambol Tolentino had his reasons for his vote.

5. Several NSA's like PVF, PBC, PDBF and TATAP were disenfranchised illegally by Peping Cokuangco and remain disenfranchised during Tolentino's term. What do you propose to do with these disenfranchised NSA's?

POC should activate the Arbitration Committee where NSA's will be given the opportunity to air their valid complaints.

6. How will you convince the private sector to support Philippine sports?

Sports must be used as a tool for nation-building. Sports right now is being used for personal and political gain which shouldn't be the case. Once the private sector sees that sports is being used the right way, sponsorship will come.

7. Is sports still relevant at this time of the pandemic?

Sports will always be relevant. There are various levels of engagement in sports. We tend to forget the recreational part of sports. Physical activity is a fundamental right and must be promoted at all levels.

8. What do you ultimately want to happen in Philippine sports?

I would like to take little steps to correct past mistakes made in Philippine sports. I want to see more women in management and leadership roles. I want the youth to be empowered and active in sports. I want Philippine sports to become a source of unity and empowerment.

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