Pinoy torchbearers, athletes feted in London

Manila, Philippines -  Olympic fever gripped the Filipino community in the United Kingdom with the staging of the Olympic Torch Relay runs of Filipinos Steven Cheung and Reymund Enteria on successive days in London.

On July 21, Cheung ran his leg from Walthamstow Central Town Square in east London before several thousand cheering locals and visitors, including dozens of Filipinos. 

Philippine Ambassador Enrique Manalo joined Cheung’s family and extended his congratulations to the young man at the end-point of his run. 

The following day was the turn of Enteria to carry the Olympic flame. He ran some 300 meters along the A118 road in the London borough of Havering, also in East London, and was likewise applauded throughout his run by the thousands of Filipino and British spectators lining the route.

Enteria was greeted at the end of his run by Deputy Chief of Mission Reynaldo Catapang.

Both Cheung and Enteria were chosen as Olympic torchbearers earlier this year from among thousands of applicants from all around the world.  They were selected because of their work in their respective communities and the inspirational stories they had to share.

Cheung is an Olympic Youth Ambassador for his home borough of Waltham Forest and already has a long history of working with government offices, businesses and charity organizations.

Enteria is a senior occupational therapist at the Raphael Medical Centre in Kent who focuses on neurological rehabilitation and mental health patients, and who received several professional awards and commendations.

Ambassador Enrique Manalo and Minister of State Jeremy Browne with Filipino Olympic torchbearers Steven Cheung and Reymund Enteria.

They joined three other Filipinos who had the honor of carrying the Olympic flame around the UK. Rodolfo Sebastian Carlos carried the torch in Willenhall in the West Midlands earlier this July, while Marcy Reyes and Joven Mallo ran parts of the Olympic Torch Relay near Manchester last June.

Ambassador Manalo expressed great admiration for all the Pinoy torch bearers. “They have inspired not just their friends and neighbors, but also Filipinos all around the world,” he said. “I am certain they also provided a boost to Team Philippines just as competitions are about to start and the curtain is set to be raised on the London 2012 Olympic Games.”

Meanwhile, the Philippine Olympic team was feted by Ambassador Manalo at an evening reception at the chancery.

The team was led by chef de mission Manny Lopez and National Olympic Committee (NOC) administrative coordinator Arsenio Lacson Jr., and included nine of the 11 athletes competing in the Olympics.

“This is an exciting time for the Filipino nation and an even bigger thrill for the Filipino community in Britain. I know that each and every Filipino will be solidly behind you. You are already winners in our eyes,” said Manalo.

Gracing the event was Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Minister of State Jeremy Browne and FCO Asia Pacific director Peter Wilson. It was the first Olympic-related reception attended by Browne.

“The Philippines is a real partner country for Britain in Asia, and we hope that you will also see Britain as a partner country in Europe. The Olympics is another opportunity to further build and develop the friendship. To all of the Filipino athletes and coaches, you are so welcome here and I wish you so much luck,” said Browne.