Local papers carried feature articles on one of the Philippines’ most cherished sporting treasures with her big picture while joining other sporting greats of the region, including Myanmar’s Jennifer Tin Lay, Malaysia’s Sylvia Ng, Indonesia’s Alfira Rosa Nasution and Thailand’s Bounpon Siraphone in the torch relay during the opening ceremonies of the 21st SEA Games Saturday at the Stadium Nasional in Bukit Jalil.
"Nakakataba ng puso at nabigyan ng recognition ang mga nagawa ko sa SEA Games. This is a big honor not just for myself and my family but also for the country," said De Vega-Mercado, among the best ever to compete in this biennial meet who’s now in public office back home.
"I’m into a new field now (public service). But this time, I can’t afford to fail. Magagalit sa akin ang mga kababayan ko. I have to serve them with my utmost best," said De Vega-Mercado on her job as one of the councilors in his hometown Meycauayan, Bulacan.
She said she’ll focus on women’s rights and the sports development program of the youth in her town.
De Vega-Mercado said she’s missing the competitions but said she has no regrets in finally calling it quits, thus, relinquishing her throne in SEAG athletics.
However, her records in her favorite events — 100m and 200m — remain unsurpassed at the moment.
Here, she’s a star shining as bright as ever.