Power of sport

It may not be widely known that former Senate Majority Leader Francis (Tol) Tolentino is a huge sports enthusiast, probably because he defers to his brother Bambol who’s the POC president. But there’s a reason why Manny Pacquiao asked Tolentino to be the guest of honor and speaker at the recent third Pacquiao-Elorde Awards Night in Okada Manila.

As the former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Tolentino presided over hearings and supported the naturalization of Justin Brownlee and other athletes. He’s also the president of the POC-accredited Samahang Kickboxing Ng Pilipinas and initiator of the ROTC Games. Tolentino has backed the Cavite team in the women’s MPBL, establishment of the Philippine Sports Training Center at the New Clark City, staging tournaments in Mindanao and promotion of e-sports, baseball and softball, among others. He watches sporting events, like the PBA, in the venue but sits away from the spotlight.

In his remarks at the Awards Night, Tolentino spoke about the power of sport and the celebration of discipline, sacrifice and the relentless Filipino spirit. He cited Pacquiao and the late Flash Elorde as symbols of excellence and hope. “They proved that a Filipino, no matter how humble his beginnings, can rise to the very top of the world,” he said. “Their stories are not just about victory. They are about courage when no one is watching…about waking up before dawn, about enduring pain, defeat and doubt and still choosing to stand, to fight and to believe.”

Tolentino reminded the awardees that their trophies are not just emblems of skill but proof of character. “Behind every win are unseen hours of sacrifice, beyond every recognition is a story of perseverance,” he continued. “More importantly, you are now role models…in every barangay, court and small gym across our islands, there is a young Filipino watching you, dreaming of you. You carry something greater than titles, you carry inspiration.”

To young athletes, Tolentino stressed that greatness is earned, not given. “The journey will not be easy, there will be losses,” he said. “There will be moments when quitting seems easier. But champions are not defined by how many times they win, they’re defined by how many times they rise. Sport, after all, is more than competition. It is nation-building. It teaches discipline, respect, unity and pride.”

Tolentino isn’t only an accomplished legislator and sports buff. He’s also a poet and author with his three books available on amazon.com – “Badge of Honor: My Stand for the West Philippine Sea,” “The Ballad of Scarborough Shoal: Bajo de Masinloc Poems” and “Winds of Sovereignty: The Mavulis Poems on Freedom, Vigilance and the Boundless Seas.”