Changing colors

By preference, circumstance, power shifts or thru controversy, we see and hear changes in things.  Changes perhaps for the better or to dissociate from previous identities.

Sadly, because several of our national sporting agencies often pressure and impose upon athletes their will, it is not uncommon for these athletes to search for alternate and preferable training conditions.  This way, they can be exposed to international play, earn well and have greater chances of getting into the holy grail of sporting competitions - the Olympics.

We had several top ranked athletes who used to wear the PH colors but had shifted their allegiance to their adoptive countries.  Why?  Politicking, which has always been our favorite pastime, had caused infighting within their respective NSAs that hindered their much needed logistical support, thus frustrating their dreams.

For these athletes, they had found better opportunities not only for themselves but also for their immediate families.

The newest athlete to have jumped ship was fencer Maxine Esteban who now carries the colors of Ivory Coast because she wanted to “walk away from something that doesn’t value our worth.” According to her, she had done everything to continue representing PH but events forced her to represent another nation.

Other former PH athletes who now have different flags on their uniforms are chess GM Wesley So (USA), pool player Alex Pagulayan (CAN), golfer Yuka Saso (JPN) and volleyball player Jaja Santiago (JPN).  Who’s next?

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It’s been a year since the country had a new power shift and it only comes natural that any remnants of the power that had been usually will be changed and in this case, rebranded with all those smiling faces plastered on whatever and wherever.  Yes, as mentioned above, to dissociate from previous identities.

But rebranding and slogan change entails cost.   A little birdie said that for this particular government agency, a couple of a hundred million of taxpayers’ money had been appropriated for a series of audio-visual presentations.  The initial 2-minute AVP was nice but generated domestic and foreign controversy.   We all know what that was.

Of course, the offending AVP presentor got all the blame from the agency head.  Not a hint of apology nor acknowledgement of the boo-boo came from the head office when it should always be command responsibility.  But with the head of the land, several local government officials and members of the senate and congress throwing their support behind the agency head, of course, pride remains intact and there’s no point for a freaking mea culpa.