‘Winning Still’ virtual book launch today

CEBU, Philippines —  The book ‘Winning Still’, a collection of essays written by 25 Filipino athletes, coaches, and sports personalities during the lockdown at the height of the pandemic last year, will formally be launched virtually this afternoon.

Fr. Gilbert “Nono” P. Levosada, SJ of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu will lead the event via Zoom at 3:30 p.m. today in time for the first death anniversary of the late SHS-AdC Athletics Director Enrico David “Rico” S. Navarro, who is one of the proponents of the very relevant and meaningful book.

“Year 2020 was challenging for all of us. As the pandemic happened, many, if not all of us, had to face daunting challenges - staying at home and away from friends and loved ones, adjusting to a new mode of learning and working, being overwhelmed by the fear of getting sick, and encountering loss. Yet, in our struggle, we learned to cope, adapt, overcome obstacles, persevere and thrive and ‘win’ despite the odds,” Fr. Levosada stated.

“During that time, our beloved Athletics Director, the late Rico Navarro, along with Coach Noli Ayo, University Athletics Director of Ateneo de Davao, thought of gathering various Filipino athletes and coaches. They asked various individuals, who were not strangers to adversity, for their insights and reflections on overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic and to put them in writing,” Fr. Levosada continued.

Thus, ‘Winning Still’ came to fruition. The book is all about resilience, discipline and a winning attitude.

Aside from Fr. Levosada and coach Noli Ayo, the Project Head of ‘Winning Still’, also expected to grace the virtual book launch are Isabella Fernando, Women’s Football head of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), and Atty. Rene “Rebo” Saguisag Jr., Executive Director of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), who are both contributors of the book.