Congrats ‘Pinas sa 387 medals, SEA Games athletes, salamat!

Matapos ang 14 na taon ng paghihintay ay muling nakamit ng Pilipinas ang kagila-gilalas at kapana-panabik na overall championship na bunga ng dugo’t pawis, sakripisyo, determinasyon at pangarap ng bawat Filipinong Atletang kumuha ng pangkabuuang 387 medalya sa pagtatapos ng 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Mahigit 10-araw ang kumpetisyon na inialay ng bawat atletang Pinoy para makuha ang 30th edition-best na 149 gold medals, 118 silver at 120 bronze upang duplikahin ang ‘Miracle of 2005’ ng unang magkampeon ang Pilipinas sa biennial meet.Mas lamang ng 4 na ginto, 25 pilak at 34 tanso sa pangkabuuang 63 medalya ang Pilipinas para sa 56 sports na may 530 events kumpara sa 38 sports lang na may 404 events sa Malaysian hosting noong 2017.Malayung-malayo sa nakamit ng bansa sa nakalipas na 2017 Kuala Lumpur Games kung saan lumapag lang tayon sa ika-anim na puwesto na may 24 gold, 33 silver at 64 bronze medals para sa kabuuang 121 medalya lang.Noong SEAG Manila 2005 ay naibulsa ng Pilipinas ang 112 gold, 85 silver at 93 bronze medals para sa 40 sports na may 443 events mula Nob. 27 hanggang Dis. 5 na ginanap sa Manila, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Zambales, Cavite, Laguna at Pampanga.

Kamakalawa ng gabi, nakamit ng Gilas Pilipinas ang ika-18th crown at 13th straight nito sa numero-unong past-time o sports ng Pinoy na basketball, matapos tambakan ang Thailand sa iskor na 115-81. Matapos naman ang 42 years ay natagpuan ng RP men’s volleyball team ang pinakamagandang pagtatapos na kampanya sa SEAG para sa silver medal, habang ang women’s volley team ay huling nagkamedalya noong 2005 at gold medal noong 1993 Singapore Games. Ibayong pasasalamat naman ang laman ng closing remarks sa opisyal na seremonya ng pagsasara ng 30th SEAG na idinaos kagabi sa New Clark City Stadium sa Capas, Tarlac ni SEAG Chef de Mission at Philippine Sports Commission Charman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez. “It is a happy day for the Philippine Sports Commission, Team Philippines and the country as we celebrate our return to SEAG supremacy. We all worked hard for this. The Philippine Olympic Committee, national sports associations, the organizing committee, the government, the private sector, and the Filipino people all came together to show our team that they have the whole nation behind them. Salamat po sa lahat. Our athletes gave their all and they deserve all the respect and care that we can give them, as kababayans and as a nation. You all made us proud. Salamat sa inyong sakripisyo, tiyaga at pagpupursigi. All your hard work and achievement produced more than just medals. It lifted the spirit of a nation hungry for inspiration and hope. It awakened the spirit of patriotism. Old Filipino values were in full show for the Filipino youth to see and emulate. Pinaalala n’yo sa amin na ang sarap maging Pilipino, lahi ng magigiting!!! For all these, maraming salamat! Congratulations to our overall champions! “

Narito naman ang ilang bahagi rin ng pasasalamat na speech ni POC pres. Bambol Tolentino para sa 10 mga bansang lumahok sa SEAG, “Tonight-as we bring to a close another chapter in the history of the SEAG, one cannot but feel a sense of wonderment at how time went by so fast. It feels like yesterday that we went into the planning stages, the feverish preparations, the many challenges faced and hurdled, then the excitement of the competitions and the inevitable euphoria and despair at every match won or lost. And now, all too soon, we bid each other farewell. The Games are over. And we find ourselves somewhat hesitant to bring the curtains down on the 30th edition of the SEA Games. No matter what our role was in these Games- as athlete, coach, official, Games worker volunteer or service provider, we have memories to cherish to last even a lifetime. To the Philippine Olympic Committee’s partners locally, the PHISGOC and the Philippine Sports Commission, we went through some harsh times but we remained steadfast to the objective- to stage not only the biggest SEA GAMES ever, but one that was memorable to all the participants. To the government agencies that played a critical role in the Games, the Dept. of Tourism, the PNP, the DOH, and so many other agencies who tirelessly gave of themselves to ensure everything ran as smooth as possible, we owe a debt of gratitude. To everyone, Maraming, maraming salamat! By now, all of you should know what that means. And to each and every athlete in these Games, on behalf of the millions who witnessed your gallantry, courage and determination. We will come together again..as one..in 2021..in Vietnam! Mabuhay and Safe Travels Home!”

Nagsilbi na ring victory party celebration ang gabi dahil sa blockbuster performance ng mga atletang Pinoy ay isinabay na ang pagpaparangal sa mga natatanging atleta ng SEAG.