RP sports remembers, fetes Cory

MANILA, Philippines - Some of the greatest achievements ever recorded in Philippine sports came under the presidency of Cory Aquino.

It was in 1986, the first year of her term, when Lydia de Vega was crowned Asia’s fastest woman during the 10th Asian Games in Seoul, Korea.

The year after, the Philippines bagged 59 gold medals in the Jakarta SEA Games. It stands as the biggest gold haul for RP in any SEA Games where it was not the host.

“I presented our 1987 athletes to President Cory in Malacanang, and she made exception of the word ‘modest’ that I used,” recalled Jose Romasanta, head of the Gintong Alay from 1986 to 1988.

To Aquino, it wasn’t modest winning 59 gold medals and finishing third overall in the SEA Games, which the country hosted in 1991, still with the People Power icon as president.

Aquino declared the Games open at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, and after the smoke of battle cleared, the Philippines was a very close second to Indonesia in the gold race, 92-91.

“Our athletes shone under the Cory administration. It was also in 1991 when the Philippines, led by Felix Barrientos, defeated Japan in the Davis Cup for the first time,” Romasanta said.

In 1988, this time in the Olympics, again in Seoul, the Philippines won a bronze medal in boxing courtesy of boxer Leopoldo Serrantes.

It was Aquino who signed the law creating the Philippine Sports Commission in 1990, and she appointed Cecil Hechanova as first PSC chairman.

In 1991, she also declared 1991-2000 as a “Decade of Sports and Physical Fitness.”

Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, Aquino’s younger brother and currently president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, said she could have done more for the country, including sports, only if she had more time.

“She was doing a very good job. But she knew she had to go, saying, ‘My role was to restore democracy, and I’ve already done that,’” said Cojuangco.

“I really admire her power to go through all those challenges. I think it was her faith in God. I can’t see any other reason,” said the POC chief in a previous television interview.

“And with her passing, once again, our country is united in prayer. Even the Muslims offered their prayers for President Cory.

Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was among those who offered their prayers.

“My whole family is mourning the death of President Aquino. And we offer our prayers,” said Pacquiao in a text message to The STAR.

Chairman Harry Angping of the PSC said: “The PSC family mourns her death and Philippine sports should be forever grateful to her contributions. It was during her time that the PSC was enacted.”

The Powerade Team Pilipinas, on the final days of its preparation for the Tianjin World Championshiops qualifier, also paid homage to the former president.

“Powerade Team Pilipinas joins the entire Filipino nation in its expression of gratitude to former President Cory Aquino for her life of service to our country. We pray that the Lord will grant her just rewards, and that He lay His healing hands on the grieving hearts of her loved ones, especially those of Kris and our teammate James Yap,” said RP Powerade Team manager JB Baylon in a text message to The STAR.

The Philipine Team will leave for Tianjin Aug. 4 in time for the opening on Aug. 6.

Yap is expected to go to China a little late to attend the funeral rites.

In yesterday’s UAAP games, players wore yellow ribbons on their jerseys as the league paid its tribute to the woman it considers the face of Philippine democracy.

“She was and will always be our beacon for Philippine democracy,” said league president Anton Montinola of FEU.