‘Darna’ to the rescue, boosts athletes morale

Popular movie and komiks character Darna will be helping lift the spirit of Filipino athletes gearing up for the 23rd Southeast Asian Games.

Charming young actress Angel Locsin, who portrays the local heroine in GMA-7’s top rating primetime program, is joining the country’s sports ambassadors in an effort to stir public awareness of the Nov. 27 to Dec. 5 meet and boost the morale of the Filipino athletes tasked to win the country’s first ever SEAG overall championship.

"Believe it, Darna is joining us in our campaign to create awareness for the coming SEA Games," said Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc) marketing official Boy Santiago.

The appearance of the shapely teener in all SEA Games-related programs is part of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed recently by Philsoc president and chief executive officer Jose "Peping" Cojuangco Jr. and Cecilio de Pedro, owner of Lamoiyan Corporation, maker of Hapee Toothpaste.

Locsin is the product endorser of Hapee, the SEAG official toothpaste.

On top of the P5 million package presented by Lamoiyan during the ceremonial signing, de Pedro also announced the participation of Locsin in promoting the Games, creating extra excitement among sports officials present at the Philsoc office inside the PICC Bldg Tuesday afternoon.

"This will really boost the morale of our athletes. Knowing the personality of Ms. Locsin and the heroine character she plays on TV, her participation in our awareness program is a big help on us," said Cojuangco.

Philsoc said that part of Locsin’s role is to endorse the country’s hosting of the meet in her television appearances while a TV commercial is currently being shot with the actress endorsing the SEA Games.

The Philsoc’s promotion department is also contemplating of reorganizing its program for the sports ambassadors‚ schools and malls tour to accommodate Ms. Locsin.

"She (Locsin) is the new idol of the masses. Her presence will help us in our marketing strategies," said Santiago.

The Philsoc marketing official expressed his appreciation to Lamoiyan officials for including Ms. Locsin in the package.

"We are moving and the call for the bayanihan spirit is a moving ground as local corporation has started to negotiate and lend a helping hand in our campaign," said Santiago, who is keeping his fingers crossed that more Filipino entrepreneurs will be supporting the Games.