By this time, much has been said about the personal life of our Paris Summer Games double gold medalist Carlos Yulo and less about his accomplishments on why he is the greatest Filipino Olympian ever.
This is a pity—the guy will be coming back to the country but instead of celebrating what could have been our greatest triumph in the biggest sporting event in the world, he is being subjected to personal matters that we have no business to meddle with in the first place.
Let his victories not be overshadowed by other narratives that he doesn’t deserve and by comments of people who suddenly became experts on family matters and relationships.
Moreover, let our hero be at peace without him explaining or answering things that should be between him, his mother, or his significant other. Let’s celebrate his victories the way he richly deserves them and nothing more.
I’m also a parent and I only demand a few things from my kids – for them to love and respect us their parents; and for them to be good people when they grow up. Anything more than these is nothing but bonuses and blessings that will be met with utmost gratitude, pride, and happiness.
Just the same, thank you Caloy for a job well done!
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Speaking of possibilities, businessman and former number one patron, at least officially, of the Philippine Women’s National Football Team Jeff Cheng has been busy of late. The former Team Filipinas manager says work has kept him preoccupied ever since he resigned from his post. But despite this, he has kept a watchful eye on the team.
“There are many ways to help out the team. We built not only friendships but we built a family already so whatever they need, if I can help in my own small way, I’ll be more than happy,” Cheng said before the start of a Thanksgiving Dinner he hosted Wednesday night celebrating the first anniversary of the Filipinas’ historic participation in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia last year.
But more than anything else, Cheng would want that whatever the team has accomplished in the past will be sustained at the minimum. There were plans for ID camps in the United States and here in the country. There were also talks to have a friendly for the Filipinas against an Asian team this month in Vermosa but until now, nothing has come out of these plans and talks. Cheng says he hasn’t heard anything yet from the PFF.
“There is no monopoly in good ideas. Maybe they (the new administration) have their own ways or maybe they are just, I don’t know, warming up. They may want to have their own ways and we should give them that opportunity,” Cheng explained.
Offhand, he admitted there were many takeaways and lessons learned during their incredible run to the World Cup and success in regional football has been wonderful. Cheng says rising from the 66th-ranked team in the world to at least 38th within two years sums up the accomplishments of the Filipinas.
“Sana lang masustain nila ang momentum. Hindi mapasukan ng intriga at iba pang bagay. Focus lang kasi national team ito. Sometimes at the end of the day, we make one or two people happy but if you make the right decisions, you make a country of 110 million people happy and proud. So we just hope and trust the new leadership. That’s all that we can do right now,” Cheng explained.
Cheng also confirmed that he recently met with Dan Palami, the former manager of the Philippine Men’s National Football Team, a few weeks ago over coffee. While there were no specifics on the discussion they had. Cheng said they will continue to find ways to champion the sport they both love even if not in an official capacity anymore. Cheng also revealed that a collaboration between him and Palami in the future to benefit football is a possibility.
“We have always been friends and we’re always focused on each of the different aspects of football. Ako sa women’s, siya sa men’s and I think that he has done a good job there and we always try to do our best. So one day, if there is an opportunity to work together, it will be a good thing,” Cheng added.
Cheng says he is also open to the idea of helping the country host the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup next year. “Wala pa naman nag-approach or anything but I will consider it if ever,” he said.
For now, Cheng says he is looking forward to the participation of the Davao Aguilas in another season of the Philippines Football League.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
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