SEA Games 2019

The stories we hear and the Senate inquiries we watch about the Bureau of Corrections (or BuCor) scandal will continue to haunt us until our leaders become strong enough and determined to change the system. As it is now, there is a big problem in the mindset of our BuCor officials. They seem not to know the right management, the right approach and the right environment that is ideal for the inmates. In the first place, I don’t even think they know how to determine the eligibility of the early release of inmates based on the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) program. If you listen to the different officers testifying you may have noticed that they don’t have standard answers.

All BuCor chiefs can easily deny their participation in the release of the inmates but at the end of the day, they should be held responsible and even more must be punished for their negligence. A senate inquiry is not enough to teach them a lesson. Senate inquiries actually allow more justifications and reasons for the officers to get away from the mess they created or even may have encouraged. The corruption in the BuCor is already a way of life and with such disorder in the management, how can you expect efficient outputs?

Citizens fret about every move this Administration is making. Imagine after all that Faeldon reported which shocked the country and after he was fired, the President still announced that he continues to trust the guy. Unbelievable! Now how can the Filipinos calm down and feel safe? Sanamagan!

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I found myself in Clark this weekend watching the 5th Pilipinas Open International Dance Championship hosted by the Council of Filipino Dancers, Inc. CFDI is a non-stock and non-profit organization that aims to provide a venue where dancing skills and dance education can be honed, and foster sportsmanship and athleticism among dancers, students, teachers, and dance coaches. It is committed to sharing dance sport knowledge and information through the Dance Congress and Dance Open Championships.

The event was a success with 499 entries and 320 competing couples both foreign and national, 18 international adjudicators, and 12 local adjudicators. Competitions like this will not only develop nationwide talents but also create opportunities for our less-privileged children to attain quality education especially in the areas of arts and culture.

 But what amazed me most was the spirit of support it received from the local community of Angeles City. I noticed how supportive Clark Development Corporation group headed by Chairman Ping De Jesus, CDC President Noel Manankil, and Fr. Armin were to this event not to mention Pagcor’s efforts and the hotels in the area like Fontana, Midori and Royce. The Clark Airport officers were alerted for the coming of the international and local adjudicators and participants as well as the Department of Tourism airport assistance group. Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. and his officers were also very helpful adding security and order to the event.

 This kind of support is important and necessary for an event to be successful. This brings me to thinking about the preparations leading up to the Southeast Asian Games this year.

The Philippines as we all know will be hosting the 2019 Southeast Asian Games from November 30 to December 11. Records show that this will be the fourth time that the Philippines will host the games. The first time was in 2005. Before this we also hosted the 1981 and 1991 edition of the games where the obstacle course and e-sports were first included.

 There are four designated clusters or hubs for the sporting events of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games namely Clark, Subic, Metro Manila, and “Other Areas”. Previously the fourth cluster was reportedly known as the BLT (Batangas, La Union, and Tagaytay) Cluster. The main hub is Clark featuring the still under construction sports complex at the New Clark City development in Capas, Tarlac. The secondary venue will be Subic while the tertiary venue will be Metro Manila and the other nearby areas.

The proposed venue of the opening ceremonies is the Philippine Arena in Bulacan with Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas, Lea Salonga and Arnel Pineda as performers and the closing ceremonies at New Clark City.

The SEA Games members include: Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, East Timor and Myanmar. The SEA Games Federation Council has approved to include a total of 56 sports with more than 500 events proposed by the National Olympic Committee of which Arnis and 3x3 basketball will be included this year.

There is a lot more that will go down in our history more than being the host of the 30th SEA Games. The cauldron to be lit by the torch was designed by National Artist for architecture, Francisco Mañosa. The cauldron was said to be his last project before he passed away. The theme song of the 2019 SEA Games “We Win as One” is composed by no less than another National Artist, Ryan Cayabyab with lyrics written by Palanca Awardee for literature and well-known playwright Floy Quintos and to be performed by award-winning theater actress Lea Salonga. How’s that for a stellar cast! It shows how much talent we have in the country if only we could have the right leaders who will think country first before themselves.

Anyway going back to the preparations for the 2019 SEA Games, it is important that everyone involved in this program must not only embrace their individual responsibilities but also coordinate and work in harmony with the others. Hosting such a major event is no joke but with the help of the local community, it can become a success.

On the national level, our airports alone right now, can’t seem to handle the regular number of travellers coming in and out on a normal day. What more a sudden influx of travellers participating in the SEA Games. Immigration and customs officials will be challenged. They need to discern and work for the country and not think about taking advantage of the travelers. Traffic will present itself as a problem and if not properly resolved, it will become a nuisance to the competitors and their companions. Worst, it may leave them with a very bad impression of our country as it already has to many.

The budget set for the games which is said to amount to P7.5 billion with P6 billion provided by the government and the rest secured by the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PhilSGOC) Foundation from sponsorship agreements must be put to good use. Heads of the different groups must pay attention even to the smallest details of their participation. Everything to be done must have order, consistency, clarity, and efficiency of service. We must show our guests the true hospitality of the Filipinos.

If we succeed in this, then perhaps we can have an edge in a possible bid to host the 2030 Asian Games. Abangan!