There's beauty in sports

MANILA, Philippines - She started swimming at six and became a member of the Philippine Team at the age of 12. At 13, she competed in the 1988 Southeast Asian Games. She also competed in the Seoul, Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics. She was the darling of swimming in the Philippines. Although she has long retired from competing, former swimmer Gillian “Akiko” Thomson continues to help Filipinos in what she loves most — sports.

In August last year, Akiko was elected as one of the commissioners in the Philippine Sports Commission. Before assuming the post, she was secretary-general of the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association. From being an athlete to a commissioner, how did she find the transition to her new job?

“It’s a drastic change. I was nervous and reluctant but I recognized it was a great opportunity. It’s challenging but I’m glad I’m here,” she says.

As one of the commissioners, Akiko handles nine sports such as aquatics, taekwondo and judo. She is also in charge of PHILSPADA (Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled), which handles the Paralympics and the women’s programs of the organization.

“It’s been a long time since they had a female commissioner. I think it’s important to have one just to have a different balance. There are perspectives as well. My being an athlete of course is very helpful. I can relate to the concerns of the athletes,” she adds.

Akiko admits that her new role has been challenging, considering she never worked with a government body before. But she is glad to be helping the PSC. “I feel like my life really revolves again in sports, but in a different way.”

For Akiko, being a woman was never an issue in an organization dominated by males. “Fortunately, I never had issues in the past. I feel treated fairly but I know that’s not the case all the time.”

With the women’s programs, Akiko shares that they have been going around the country, holding clinics and competitions. And with a recent tie-up with cosmetics brand Ever Bilena, one might ask why involve makeup in a project?

“We’re just thinking about our athletes and our women here (PSC), and what something they would appreciate. We thought of this component of beauty,” she explains. “That’s why we’re so thankful that Ever Bilena is here and is very supportive of our women’s campaign.”

Akiko, who uses Ever Bilena sunblock regularly, believes that women have the right to look good. “It affects how you feel about yourself, it affects how people perceive that.”

With Ever Bilena, employees of the PSC were not only taught the basics of makeup and grooming. They were also reminded of the importance of putting products to protect them from the sun such as sunblock. Beyond empowering the Filipina, the cosmetics company also believes that there is beauty in sports. In fact, Careline, the teen brand of Ever Bilena, is sponsoring the RP National Junior Women Basketball Team.

For now, Akiko continues to develop programs that will encourage the involvement of women in sports. “We really just want to expose as many women as possible. When we go to these cities, we ask the people we’re coordinating with, what sports do they want to promote and focus on as a means of encouraging women to pursue their sports,” she furthers.

She may have long been retired in the sport that made her famous but Akiko is more than ready to impart the knowledge she has gained all these years. “Sports is part of my life. I would like to share that and really just encourage more women.”

With her new post in the Philippine Sports Commission, Akiko Thomson is one woman not about to rest on her laurels. She is not just a swimming champion — she is also a woman’s rights champion.