MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Loren Legarda yesterday expressed elation over the promising start by three Filipina boxers in the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos, saying “it was a manifestation of RP women’s vast potential in the sport that’s usually reserved for male athletes.”
While the victories by Alice Kate Aparri, Josie Gabuco and Annie Albania were still in preliminary stage of boxing competition in Laos, Sen. Legarda nonetheless called their performance a feat, as well as that of the fourth Filipina in Mitchell Martinez, who advanced to the next round.
“They have shown that Filipino women, like our noted male boxers, are a force to reckon with in the combative sport like boxing,” said Legarda.
What particularly impressed the senator was the fact that the victories by Aparri, Gabuco and Albania actually provided a sort of “saving grace” for an embattled Philippine team which absorbed stinging setbacks in other fronts in the biennial games.
“It’s really interesting to note that our Filipina boxers’ triumphs kept the Philippine team in high spirits despite setbacks in other sports competitions in Laos,” said Legarda, a noted advocate of women empowerment and vice-presidential candidate of Nacionalista Party and Nationalist People’s Coalition.
Legarda also said that while it is not definite yet what awaits the Filipina boxers, she nevertheless maintained that their victories should be enough for our sports officials to get down to work and try to discover more Filipina talents who, she added, could bring honor to the country.