Why the special Olympics Philippines is special

‘People with intellectual disabilities suffer rejection and ridicule because others think we are not good enough. They are wrong. We can do more and be more, if only the world gives us a fighting chance.’

In a chance encounter this afternoon with sports benefactor Ronald  Mascariñas of Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. (BAVI), best known for its Chooks-To-Go, he excitedly told me that he will support the Special Olympics Philippines.

Always grateful for how he staunchly supports athletes, I softly mumbled that we also sponsor the paraplegic athletes. He replied that he is referring to the intellectually disabled like Brina Kei Maxino.

Brina was born with Down syndrome (www.specialolympics.org). At nine days old, her parents received the doctor’s prognosis of her short life due to a hole in her heart. She is now 23.

A psychologist told her parents when she was 10  that she would probably not even finish grade school. At 16, she graduated high school from a regular school as class valedictorian. She took up AB History and is now an assistant teacher at a local preschool. And since she attended a regular school, she wasn’t spared from being bullied.

“They excluded me from their games because they thought I was too slow," Brina recalled. “There were schools that did not accept me because I was not smart enough.”

Strong family support inspired her to overcome all odds. Now, she relentlessly inspires others as a Special Olympics International Global Messenger. She represented the Asia Pacific Region during the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games and the 2015 World Games.

Using her story as a means to educate the Philippines and the world about intellectual disabilities, she enlists public support and respect. She has appeared in a movie, TV commercials, and was even invited to a dinner with former US President Barack Obama.

“Every day, people with intellectual disabilities suffer rejection and ridicule because others think we are not good enough. They are wrong. We can do more and be more, if only the world gives us a fighting chance. As a unified generation, let us stand together and declare that all people matter,” she rallied.

Rising swiftly to the call, Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. president Ronald Mascariñas entered a partnership with Special Olympics Philippines to support them in their goal of making it to the global meet. Chooks-to-Go has always supported the Filipino dream. And it’s not different with our athletes that are differentlyabled.

“We always supported the Filipino dream, but what makes our special athletes with intellectual disability different? For us, there’s no difference since they are also representing the country with all their might. Sila pa nga ang tunay na Manok ng Bayan (they are truly the country’s pride),” the sports patron said.

The extent of Chooks-to-Go’s support is to provide meals, coaches, and training venues through Gold’s Gym. In the signing of the agreement last Wednesday, Special Olympics Philippines was represented by Brina, her father Winston, and national executive director Kaye Samson.

"In our program, we have all sports — swimming, athletics, basketball, bowling, volleyball, table tennis, powerlifting, gymnastics, football, badminton. But since BAVI is into basketball, I think they will help us with basketball with the best coaches,» said Samson.

“When we went to Bounty, we were just expecting for the management and the big boss to listen and to give attention. But the management exceeded our expectations,” added Winston.

Besides supporting these athletes, Mascariñas is now working on the possibility of employing them in his company. With this, these athletes can have full lives outside of sports.

Globally, the Special Olympics organization supports more than five million athletes, one million coaches and volunteers, more than 100,000 competitions annually and 32 Olympic-type sports programs in more than 170 countries.

Special Olympics provides meaningful training and competition opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities.

“What does every child want? The chance to kick a ball, to throw it well, to share that success with family members. What does every child with intellectual disabilities want? The exact same thing,” the organization aptly concluded.

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Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.