Originally Posted by
Miguel
Heres an article to put this issue into rest. Taken straight from the mouths of the athletes and not from a lousy columnist who wants to make an issue out of nothing, where it is very obvious that he is just making use of the incentive to Disneyland as an issue where in truth the real motive is to throw punches at Arroyo.
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SEAG heroes reunite with kin, pals in HK
By Philippines News Agency
The Philippine Star 12/23/2005
Interesting sidelights with profound significance to the lives of a number of Filipinos both at home and overseas marked the three-day Hong Kong holiday blow-out by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo for the over 200 Filipino gold medal winners in the recently-concluded Southeast Asian Games (SEAG).
The Philippines, which hosted the 2005 biennial games, emerged as this year’s overall SEAG champion the first time in its 46-year history.
Alice Kate Aparri of Baguio City, one of the gold medalists who won gold in boxing, got her wish–to spend Christmas with her mother in Hong Kong for the first time.
It could have been another lonely Christmas alone in Hong Kong for Aparri’s 48-year-old mother, Florence, who works as a domestic helper, and for Kate back home.
Mr. Arroyo’s holiday treat for the athletes however, made this year’s Christmas more colorful and emotionally fulfilling for both of them. Florence took the opportunity of her daughter’s trip to Hong Kong to be with her this Christmas. She had spent Christmas in Baguio City once every two years in the last six years.
Through the assistance of the First Gentleman’s, Cebu Pacific agreed to extend Kate’s stay in Hong Kong until Jan. 2, 2006 without additional cost. Both mother and daughter are deliriously happy and appreciative of Mr. Arroyo’s help.
"We can never repay the goodness of the First Gentleman. This is the first time we will be able to spend Christmas and New Year together here in Hong Kong and we are very grateful to the First Gentleman," the teary-eyed older Aparri said.
Several athletes also took time to meet relatives and friends while in Hong Kong.
For Alvin Amposta of the champion rowing team, the trip to Disneyland was a fulfillment of his childhood dream. Since he was a boy, Amposta said he had wanted to see Disneyland.
A day-long Disneyland tour, that included watching the spectacular fireworks display, highlighted the First Gentleman’s blow-out in Hong Kong for the athletes.
Baseball players Joseph Orellana, Niño Tator and Roy Baclay were so surprised and very happy when Caroline Pendon, who has been working in Hong Kong for 11 years, willingly paid for the jackets they bought in one of the stores near the hotel.
Orellana said Pendon told them that she is so proud to be a Filipino after the glory her compatriot athletes won for their country by romping away with the SEAG over-all championship.
She expressed her pride by paying for the three jackets her brand-new baseball heroes bought costing HK$299 each or roughly equivalent to P6,300.
Athletes were also so touched by the warm welcome they receive from Filipino expatriates in Hong Kong everywhere they went in the former Crown Colony. They shook their hands, had pictures with them and expressed their happiness and pride for making the Philippines overall champion in the 23rd SEAG.
Christian Cubella from archery team described the Hong Kong trip as a big break for them after the rigors of training before the Games.
"This is a rest and recreation for all of us. This is different from our other trips because every time we go abroad we are competing and we are very stressful. Now it’s all rest and shopping," Cubella said.
Equally grateful is 15-year-old Emilie Christa Santos, a gymnast who broke two bones of her left ankle while competing, for giving her the opportunity to join the trip despite her not having won any medal because of the injury she suffered.
The First Gentleman personally extended the invitation to Santos when he visited her in the hospital after the surgery. Santos won the heart of Mr. Arroyo for the courage she showed despite her injury during their competition.
Atty. Arroyo said Santos was a winner for him because of her determination and courage.
A day after her daughter arrived from Hong Kong trip, Carmen Santos sent the First Gentleman a text message expressing her gratitude for including Christa in the Disneyland trip.
"She enjoyed the trip but more importantly she is so happy for the bonding she had with the athletes from the different NSAs (national sports associations). Despite her injury, she didn’t feel left out. We are simply touched by the outpouring of concerns by the athletes (to our daughter)," she said.
The older Santos said she hopes people will see the First Gentleman’s good heart as her kids saw when he visited Christa in the hospital.
More than the Disney trip, shopping and cold weather in Hong Kong, the athletes are unanimous in saying that they bonded very well, become closer and gained more new friends during the trip.
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THERE YOU GO. I REST MY CASE. NOW I HOPE THIS ISSUE WILL PUT INTO REST.
Re: Our government doesn't support local tourism, read more for an example..
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