Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero (1Pacman Partylist) yesterday urged the Department of Education and Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee to allow students to watch the grandest regional sports festival for free.
Romero, who is taking part in the biennial meet being a member of the PH polo team, said the Phisgoc should allot a portion where students—especially those from Tarlac and Pampanga—can cheer not only for Filipinos but also for other athletes.
“We have state-of-art athletics and swimming centers, but it will look ugly if there are no student-cheerers,” said Romero.
Being a former amateur basketball ‘godfather,” Romero knows how crowd support can make impact in the country’s all-out bid to reproduce the Miracle of 2005.
Having been in so many memorable battles before—being a former amateur basketball“godfather—Romero believes in the magic of crowd support.
“We did it 14 years ago so I see no reason why we can’t duplicate our golden achievements during the 23rd SEA Games. With President Duterte’s total support and crowd support, I’m confident we can do it again,” said Romero, who is one of the founding directors of the Philippine National Federation of Polo Players.
“If you are competing and you see your kababayans cheering their hearts out, I’m sure you will do everything humanely possible to win,” said Romero. “That’s what I want to see and hear when we hold this year’s SEA Games.”
The biennial meet is set from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 with the opening set at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan while the closing ceremony is at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
The last time the country hosted the biennial sporting event, the Philippines collected 113 gold medals—26 ahead of perennial champion Thailand.
Romero, who bankrolled the PH basketball team that lorded it over during the 2007 Ratchasima Games in Thailand, said DepEd officials should also cooperate in this endeavor since the country’s honor is at stake in this event.
“Instead of adding burden to their parents, let us allow students to watch and cheer for our athletes,” said Romero. “Let them feel the spirit of SEA Games.”
The secondary venue will be Subic while the tertiary venue will be Metro Manila and the other nearby cities, including Tagaytay City.