GMA 'inspires' 2 gold wins

Drawing extra strength and courage from the presence of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Filipino Nelson Pacalso staged a great escape to turn back Vietnamese Nguyen Bao Toan, 5-4, for a golden finish in the men's kumite -65 kgs. of the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games karatedo event at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

"Napakahirap ng sitwasyon ko dahil ayokong mapahiya dahil nanonood ang presidente. Pero malaking tulong sa akin ang pagpunta niya dahil gagawin mo talaga lahat at ibuhuhos mo ang lahat ng lakas mo," (I was in a very tough situation since the president was watching. But her coming over to watch was a big help since I did everything I could and poured all of my strength.) said Pacalso, a police Senior Inspector detailed at Camp Crame.

Over at the Ramon Durano Memorial Sports Complex in Danao City, Cebuana Marites Bitbit also made Arroyo's visit here a pleasant experience as she grabbed her first gold medal in the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games mountainbike event.

Bitbit, an enlisted Philippine Army personnel, completed the six-lap at six kilometers per lap race in one hour, 49 minutes, and 54.91 seconds to improve her silver finish in the 2003 Vietnam SEA (see separate story).

Pacalso trailed by three, 1-4, with only 20 seconds left in the three-minute regulation and worse, he was caught by the Vietnamese player's hard foul that opened a small cut on his left ear. The cut did not however seem to bother Pacalso as he came roaring back into action after he was checked by medical personnel. Egged on by the fervent cheers of the hometown fans, the spunky Baguio City karateka staged a daring fightback to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, 5-4 to delight of Arroyo and a throng of RP-flag waving fans that packed the sports complex to its seams.

"Nung down ako by three points, ginamit ko na lahat nang diskarte. Laban na kung laban dahil ayokong mapahiya sa ating pangulo. Mabuti naman at naipanalo ko ang laban," (When I was down by three points, I used everything I knew. It was a fight I had to face since I do not want to be embarrassed before the president. It was fortunate that I was able to win the match.) said Pacalso.

Pacalso said he is very fortunate to win his first, and perhaps his last gold, in the SEA Games right at before his countrymen. The presence of the country's Chief Executive was an added bonus. "Sa palagay ko this will be the last time that I will be competing in the SEA Games. Nakapasarap ng feeling na manalo ng aking first gold dito mismo sa ating bansa at napanood pa ako nga ating pangulo," (Most probably this will be the last time that I will be competing in the SEA Games. It feels so good to win my first gold here in our country and in the presence of our president.) said an elated Pacalso.

A deafening applause and cheers from a jampacked crowd greeted Arroyo when she arrived at sports complex at around 9 am.

After the announcement of winners, Arroyo called Pacalso to come up on stage to personally congratulate the champion.

After shaking hands with Arroyo and some VIPs, Pacalso took the Philippine flag and proudly waved it before a delighted spectators, who chanted and danced to the beat of "Pinoy Ako," the extremely popular theme song of a television show.

With Arroyo at the VIP area were Department of Tourism secretary Joseph Ace Durano, Government Mass Media Group head Cerge Remonde, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Frank Benedicto, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, and Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano. -Emmanuel B. Villaruel, Fred P. Languido, Jose P. Sollano, and Caecent O No-ot