Innuendo

There were six. Now there are seven Filipinos who qualify to the quadrennial games in July this year. Unfortunately, the newest addition is not wearing the Philippine colors. Fencer Maxine Esteban touched a ticket to Paris under the Ivory Coast flag.

She used to be ours, a multiple national champion and world medalist. Accordingly, she was booted out of the national team due to injury, without the twin requirement of prior notice and hearing. Pretty much like how business mistreats and maltreats labor.

Disrespected, Maxine switched flags. But there must be a good reason or explanation why she was axed. Whatever, one thing is certain. She left because she is better treated elsewhere. Wesley So did it. EJ Obiena almost did it. These are living testaments to how national athletes are dying on their home soil.

Maxine appeared to have moved on in her post-qualifying statement. But not quite. She dedicated her qualification to Cote D’Ivoire, the country that embraced her, believed in her, and supported her all the way. Feel the strong undertones. Embrace, believe, support all the way – all presuppose abandonment, even betrayal, by her previous nationality.

But she went on to say it is for the Philippines, the country her heart will always beat proudly. The undertone is even stronger. Eat your heart out. That’s what she’s saying. So kind of her to use such kind words, but the pain resonates. Read between the lines.

Of course only Maxine knows exactly what she means. No one has the right to put words into her mouth. But there is such a thing as interpretation. Or better yet, construction, where the reader or listener goes beyond words to know the true meaning and intent of the unspoken and the unwritten. Exactly why persons in positions of power and influence should be circumspect in their choice of words, they can be misquoted or misconstrued, especially in the platform where the dumb and stupid are so empowered.

Easy to say it was a personal statement. Nobody’s business. It however speaks volumes about Philippine sports and how the country treats, mistreats or maltreats its athletes. Let the discourse continue, no matter who gets hurt. Or especially if the concerned gets hurt. All in the name of public interest. Continue reading between the lines, that’s what smart people do. Never mind those who opt to be entertained than be awakened, they feign sleep until they slip into a nightmare of reality. And to those irresponsible for losing another potential athletic great, let them read between the fingers.