‘Bayanihan’ spirit work wonders for Team Visayas in Milo Olympics

CEBU, Philippines – In the wake of its memorable triumph, Team Visayas has undoubtedly redefined what the Filipino custom "Bayanihan" is all about after each athlete and coach from different provinces of diverse ethnicity joined forces with great resolve to redeem the region's lost pride and glory in the Milo Little Olympics National Finals.

In the first three editions of the most recognized and longest-running inter-school youth sports competition in the country, Cebuano athletes have always formed the core of Team Visayas.

Though the 'Bisdaks' were the first one to claim the perpertual trophy for completing a historic grandslam from 2009-2011, they failed to complete the 'full cycle', a symbolic feat for a regional contingent that will win the overall crown four times in a row.

In 2012, the Bisdaks were dislodged from their throne and stripped of their crown by the powerhouse National Capital Region, their fiercest rivals in practically all sporting stage.

But after a long and meandering journey that spanned for three years, the Bisdaks finally shot back to the spotlight in style, letting their arch-nemesis taste the bitterness of defeat in exactly the same gut-wrenching manner they went through three years ago.

With Cebuano athletes at the forefront backed up by a solid cast of athletic warriors from Iloilo, Bohol, Dumaguete, Aklan, Capiz, Rojas, Guimaras, and Antique, Team Visayas powered its way to snare the overall championship of the seventh edition of the annual sports conclave bankerolled by Nestle Philippines two weeks ago in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

After the regional qualifying that was held for the first time in Iloilo, Team Visayas as assembled what is considered by far its strongest delegation ever.

Visayas may be separated by several islands with different dialects, but with a united front, its athletes collectively bridged themselves towards the  summit of success.

"Our reinforcements from different areas in the Visayas is such a big help," said Team Visayas deledation head Ricky Ballesteros.

Though coming from different places, putting up a united stand against a tough opposition  was no problem for the Bisdaks as they did not only have respect to each other, they also share a common goal of putting up a good fight and contribute to the team's overall success.

In topping swimming, athletics, taekwondo, gymnastics and other disciplines, Team Visayas is manned by a selection of athletes from Iloilo, Cebu, Panay, Bohol and One Negros.

"Our athletes were very determined. Even the first timers really gave their best shot in all events they joined in," remarked Ballesteros. "Modesty aside, I think we are the most organized. We make sure each one knows their role well, if not, we would not have noticed the discrepancy in the tabulation of the overall results."

It can be recalled that the first summary of championship points released by the organizers saw NCR-South Luzon leading over Visayas, but the latter's own documentation and record committee counter-checked the points and found some discrepancies in the tally especially in gymnastics.

After a careful verification by MLO's records committee and the executive board led by Robbie de Vera,Team Visayas was officially declared the overall winner.

After the battle has been won and Team Visayas now back to its throne, the Bisdaks have another journey to take and that is how to sustain their momentum as they re-lunch their bid to complete the 'full-cycle', which is meaningful in its fullest sense as each title represents the four main geographical splits of the Philippine archipelago.

But an even stronger Team Visayas next year makes another perpertual trophy easy to take.

"I will suggest that we should have a pool of talents so that when the time comes that one selected athlete will not be available, we have a ready replacement. Most likely our team will be even stronger next year with more schools from all over Visayas going to join. By word of mouth, from the athletes especially those from outside Cebu, for sure they are going to tell their wonderful experience with the Cebuanos and how they were able to help one another for the team's success," ended Ballesteros.

With their admirable showing, the Bisdaks have somehow lit up a bright sporting light that illuminated the power of unity in diversity. They have proven that no matter what happens, they have each other to rely on and together move forward for a stronger, better future. (FREEMAN)