Wave your flags for the SEAG!

Every sport-loving human being dreams of going to the Olympics at least once in their lifetime. It would have been an experience to watch Zola Budd decking Mary Decker in the 800m or watching with frustration on the way the referees allow the USSR beat the USA in one of the most controversial finishes in the Olympics basketball in Munich.

Some countries are lucky (read: rich), it's the "Games" that go to see them. On rare occasions, it takes just 12 years for the games to go back (LA in 1984 and Atlanta in 1996). But for the Olympics to come to a third world country like ours, brother, it's not going to happen. Not in our lifetime, no.

The International Olympic Committee is not the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa- it goes where the money is. Big organized sports today is not about who is faster, higher and stronger. It is about money, cash and fat bank accounts. With the Philippines lacking sorely in finances (and I'm not talking about peace and order, infrastructure, athletes training, political leadership, etc), we're really way down in the IOC's depth chart. To bid for the games would be laughable.

The SEAG, however, is the third most important international games for the Philippines after the Olympics and the Asian Games. All previous SEAG in this country have been held in Manila until this year when it was awarded to a few provinces outside of Manila with Cebu included.

Whatever happens during the SEAG, good or bad, it will always reflect what kind of people we are. That is why we should support the SEAG. If you have the time, join as a volunteer. Or go watch the games. I have some friends from Leyte who'll be coming over to watch the MTB events in Danao.

Events like the SEAG have a tendency of pulling people and the nation together. The sight of the countries flag being raised and the sound of the national anthem being sung can is a sure "goose pimple" event.

We have no excuse not to witness any of the sporting since the USC Gym, Cebu Coliseum, Waterfront Hotel and the Mandaue Coliseum are less than 20 minutes from each other. Unless of course you want to see the dirt action of mountainbikes competition in Danao City which will cost you about an hour of your time. But what is one hour compared to a lifetime of experience?

Dust those Independence Day flags and let them fly in two weeks! Going for gold

I cannot speak for the other sports but I believe that we have a good chance of bagging at least two gold's in the MTB event.

Niño Surban, a lanky kid from Talamban, has a great chance of striking gold in the MTB cross-country event. Two things could happen to him- he could fold or he could ride the wave of a home court advantage. At 18, his athletic ability is mature beyond his years. You seldom see 18-year olds compete at this level. Most 18 yo abroad even have restricted gearing in their bikes so as not to overcook themselves at such a tender age. But Niño is different.

Another favorite for the gold is Marites Bitbit in the womens MTB cross country. Like Niño, Marites is a veteran in international competitions and I think this year is her year. It would be nice to add a few more golds to the one won by Eusebio Quiñones in 2003 in Vietnam.

RP MTB Coach Rene Mier has told me that all his wards are ready to go. At the end of the day, win or lose, Cebu will always come out a winner.