Mirror, mirror on the wall...

MANILA, Philippines — Who’s the greatest of them all?

A question that could spark a debate, an endless one, even perhaps, an argument. But in this small nation with a huge appetite for sports, more than politics and religion, one had to ask.

Is it Manny Pacquiao, the only boxer on this planet to win world titles in eight weight divisions? Is it Hidilyn Diaz, who lifted the country’s spirits with its breakthrough gold medal in the Olympics? Is it Paeng Nepomuceno, the four-time Bowling World Cup champion who was so good they put up his statue in front of the International Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum in Arlington, Texas? Is it Efren Reyes, the pool magician with the famous toothless smile, and perhaps the most loved Filipino athlete? Is it Caloy Loyzaga, a two-time Olympian once ranked among the finest basketball players in the world?

Or is it Carlos Yulo, that little boy from Leveriza St. in Manila, who dreamed big and, flying like he had coil springs in his legs, won two gold medals in gymnastics in the Paris Olympics?

There are other great names, a dozen or so, that will forever be remembered, etched in history: Miguel White. Teofilo Yldefonso. Felicisimo Ampon. Pancho Villa. Flash Elorde. Eugene Torre. Bong Coo. Lydia de Vega. Eric Buhain. Elma Muros. Robert Jaworski. Nesthy Petecio.

Each one has a colorful story to tell, and to be retold. But then again, and again, who ranks highest among them?

“That will be a very interesting debate,” said Jose Romasanta, an old hand in Philippine sports, and one who’d seen the best and worst of times.

Romasanta was head of the highly-successful Project: Gintong Alay in the 1980s, and more recently played a key role with the Philippine Olympic Committee, briefly holding the post as president.

When he speaks, you listen.

“We have great athletes, past and present. But we must remember that in the Olympics, you compete against the best from 200 other countries,” he said, just days after Yulo, who came home empty-handed from the 2020 Tokyo Games, had millions of Filipinos cheering, way past bedtime, when he won the gold medals in a span of 24 hours.

“Iba ang dynamics ng Olympics. It’s entirely different what Manny Pacquiao has achieved for our country,” said Romasanta. “But boxing was his profession, his job.”

Romansanta, 79, also served as chef-de-mission of Team Philippines to the 2016 Rio Olympics, and was a prime witness to Diaz ending the country’s 20-year medal drought in the Summer Games with the silver medal in weightlifting.

“You have Hidilyn Diaz. Then there’s Paeng, Efren, Caloy Loyzaga. But Yulo winning two gold medals in this Olympics is a huge relief for all of us,” he said.

“Because winning medals in the Olympics is consistent with our Constitution, part of which is to help develop a better citizenry,” added Romasanta, enjoying retirement but always with a keen eye on Philippine sports.

Romasanta is not taking anything away from great Filipino athletes who never had the chance to win medals in the Olympics. Glory to the country, in any form, he added, is one and the same.

But what Yulo, 24, achieved in Paris, as the Philippines celebrated its 100th year of participation in the Olympics, simply separates him from the rest.

“It’s almost providential, Yulo winning two gold medals in Paris. Again, this is the Olympics. It’s the ultimate. That’s why it’s the greatest show on earth,” said Romasanta.

“So, is it Yulo?” The STAR pressed Romasanta.

“Of course,” he anwered – firmly.

Let the debate begin.