The Faith of the Philippine Track and Field Athletes






By Bidz Dela Cruz


 








In a very religious country like the Philippines, citizens move about in ecological activities in their daily lives with a conceived notion that they are being guided by a Supreme Being (predominantly God for the Filipino Christians, and for the 1st large minority, which is Islam: Allah). For the Filipino athletes, this acknowledgment of a supreme being is already part of their training.


 


Before the Beijing Olympics this year,   Filipino athletes said that they draw their strength from God. Also last summer, a team of 12 athletes gathered to pray before the National Sepak Takraw Finals which was held in Puerto Princesa City.


 


"We asked for God's help" to win, Sid Estrera said. He further explained that it has been their practice to pray together before every one of their kick volleyball games. He also added that they do not rely on their skills alone but also on the Lord's guidance. The all-male team from Puerto Princesa successfully defended its title as sepak takraw champion of the annual Palarong Pambansa (national games), where approximately 8,000 athletes and coaches from elementary and high schools in the country's 17 regions gathered.


The same faith could be found in the Philippine Track and Field athletes. Anyone can be a witness to this as they visit any track and field training facility in the Philippines, they will surely see the athletes pray before and after trainings and competitions. Even in Olympics and other International competitions, Filipinos are seen making the sign of the cross as they are about to commence in the event.


Philippine Athletics legends, Simeon Toribio and Miguel White can attest to this as they both brought fame and glory back to their Motherland, but still, all glory is to God!


Simeon Toribio

Simeon Toribio is the pride of Zamboanga, a province in the North Luzon area of the country. He was considered the "Filipino Field Athlete of the Half Century" and "Asia's Best Athlete" for winning gold medals in the high jump event in the Far Eastern Olympics in 1921, 1923, 1927, 1930 and 1934 and a bronze medal in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics.



In 1930, Toribio was awarded the Helms World Trophy for being Asia's greatest athlete. He became a lawyer and a congressman representing Bohol province where he later settled.



Miguel White

Miguel White, a former army officer with an American father, represented the Philippines in the 1936 Berlin Olympics where he must have met American track and field legend Jesse Owens. White brought home a bronze medal in 400-meter hurdles event.