T he first gold medal for the Philippines was won this year by weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz. It was an honour for our country. It sets an inspiration to all aspiring athletes to pursue their passion. And anything is possible with God. You just have to believe in yourself and be confident.
Olympics are not just competitions. It also teaches us several lessons. We saw Diaz came through a lot before getting the honour. There were a lot of practices, problems and even doubts pulling her down, yet she still did not give up in making our country proud. In every problem she put hope in it with the support from her country, family and friends, and treated every problem as a motivation to continue.
I feel proud also of Cheung Ka-long for winning gold medal in fencing because I consider Hong Kong as my second home after staying here for more than two decades.
The Special Olympics, on the other hand, gives an opportunity for intellectuallly and physically disadvantaged people to uncover their talents. I admire the athletes’ determination and self-confidence to reach their goals. It is also inspiring for others with physical disadvantages, reminding them not to give up.
— Connie Alabado
I feel proud about the athletes joining the competition especially from countries who all did their best to bring home medals. So when our weightlifter, Hidilyn Diaz won the first gold medal of the country, I felt so happy and proud as a Filipino. Winning the gold medal in the Olympics is a rising hope for all of us that we are certainly able to compete with other countries in the field of sports.
— Rhea Cuizon
Seeing our first ever gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz winning and witnessing our Philippine flag being hoisted above two other flags while our national anthem was being played, I was feeling emotionally proud being a Filipino. I also felt triumphant along with the other millions of Filipinos all over the world. I could feel how hardwork and sacrifices made a better future for Hidilyn and her family possible. The Olympics is a platform for the hopefuls. Hidilyn was just a silver medalist in the Olympics in 2016. Her persistence fuelled with hope allowed her to bag the gold medal.
— Grace Lopez
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
Watching the Olympic games was breathtaking, especially when the Philippines got a gold medal. It was an awesome feeling, thinking that the achievement of our representatives is the country’s pride. I’m very proud of being a Filipino. I want to congratulate all of them for their efforts, positive mind, courage, power, dedications and love for their country. To all the athletes a big big salute.
— Noralyn Realin
It’s been a challenging year that afflicted all lives around the world. I think that people had enough of stress and sorrows caused by the pandemic, and the Olympics are one of those ways to show us that amidst all that we are going through we can still remain as resilient as we were before. The medals won by the Philippines are like stars shining in the darkest night, reminding each and everyone of us to never lose hope and that no matter what happens we have to find the light and to look at the beauty of this world. God may challenge us but he never forsakes us. It is high time for us to open our hearts, be united and accept one another. If the Filipino athletes who represented our country managed to win and bring the glory home, it only means that despite all the challenges that we are going through, we can succeed in life and we can be someone in this world.
— Marc Louie Tucay
The Special Olympics can let disadvantaged people show their abilities and courage. They are telling us that despite their limitations, they have their talents which can bring hope and achievement, if they have the determination to receive training.
— Babyly Ambo Torres
