WoeMan

As EJ Obiena vaults to a possible historic medal in the world athletics championships, we also miss continental sprint queen Lydia de Vega. Yes, we have Kristina Marie Knott who shattered de Vega’s record times. But for some reason Filipinos are not as drawn to her as they were to Lydia who became the darling of Philippine sports in the 80s.

It’s Knott that Kristina is not welcome, but Filipinos are not as warm, must be because the Fil-Am is not homegrown. Lydia was, so organic it was her strict father who trained and disciplined her to sprint supremacy.

After Lydia, there must be quite a number who are potentially regional or continental fast but never discovered. Some Filipina girls in the provinces run barefoot to attend school on time. Just like the Kenyans who excel more in distance running. Or they run an urgent errand. Filipinos almost always lack an ingredient or two while preparing food. Or better yet, have nothing to prepare to begin with. There isn’t enough money to stack on essentials, including condiments, hence the sari-sari store in every corner – accessible, affordable and more convenient than convenience stores.

But despite their athletic potential, not too many are interested. Maybe they think there is no future in sports. We can’t blame them. Only cash incentives to medalists are highlighted, neither their pension nor regular restrictive allowance. Or maybe because they think running is not glamorous. Not a surprise, Filipinas contest a beauty crown more than test their physical strength and speed. Oh well, don’t they always say it’s the inner, not physical beauty that matters.

Or they’re too old. But look at Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who at 35 just won her fifth century dash world title in 10.67s, faster than all Filipino men except probably one or two in the national team. She is now the oldest world track and field champion.

Or they’re too busy. But the third fastest woman in history is a mother of a five-year old, a job that does not stop, especially at night. Self-contradictory, motherhood is the hardest yet the most rewarding human experience. Maybe why nature denied men of the privilege. They don’t deserve the best in life. Women do. Multiple orgasms sure outnumber a solitary, sometimes premature misfit of passion. This could be why a few not so good men take stupid revenge on women in the form of domestic violence. These are men who measure their strength against the weak, the helpless and the defenseless.

Motherhood is tougher when the mother is also a housewife. She does not only attend to her child, but more so to her husband who grew old but never grew up. There is nothing plain about being a housewife.

Or they’re too short. Maybe they think a vertically challenged race cannot race against a race of tall women with longer strides. The pocket rocket stands at 5 feet flat but stood taller than all women in the podium at least five times in the worlds and twice in the Olympics. Now let’s count how many Filipinas are age 35, a mother and 5 feet.