Spirit of Busan

If anybody ever doubted the value of sports as a unifying element in a politically fractious society, he had to be convinced otherwise after last Wednesday evening’s affair at San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo (Danding) Cojuangco’s clubhouse on Balete corner Bougainvilla in New Manila.

It was a night to remember the shining moments in Busan and a night to forget the problems of the world. It was a night to toast the victory of the Philippine equestrian team that brought back a gold and a silver from the recent 14th Asian Games. It was a night to lock arms, hold hands, and thank the Lord for His blessings.

Only Ambassador Cojuangco and his wife Gretchen could’ve pulled it off.

Politicians of different persuasions showed up. Friends and relatives who hadn’t seen each other for a while because of work and other commitments got together. Sports officials set aside their petty squabbling over turf to break bread like the family they should be. There were smiles all around.

Everywhere, the talk was how proud those five pretty equestriennes made the country. Nobody talked about the plummeting value of the peso, the rising fuel prices, the rash of terrorist bombings, the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila, the kidnappings, and the poverty problem. Not that they didn’t care.

What Ambassador and Mrs. Cojuangco made their guests realize was there is hope if there is unity.

Before the Asian Games, hardly anyone paid attention to the country’s equestrian team. In fact, Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski nearly didn’t make it to Busan because some sports officials who know nothing about equestrian questioned her qualifications. Eventually, she was accredited to go.

In Busan, the showjumping event was almost an exclusive domain of male riders. Aside from the Filipina equestriennes, there were only two female riders–one from South Korea and another from Iran. The Philippines was the only country represented by an all-female cast. In a male chauvinist society, the betting was the machos would run roughshod over the so-called weaker sex.

But it didn’t come down to a battle of hormones. It came down to a battle of nerves, skills, and heart. The Filipinas–Mikee, Toni Leviste, Danielle Cojuangco, Michelle Cojuangco Barrera, and reserve Paola Cojuangco–proved they were up to the challenge.

In the team event, the Filipinas were third after the first round then improved to second in the final reckoning. Only Japan was better. The silver finish was a blessing considering it was the Philippines’ first-ever showjumping medal in the Asian Games.

Then came Mikee’s golden performance, a crowning glory for the Queen. On the last day of the Asiad, only a few hours before the closing ceremonies, Mikee struck paydirt in the individual competition. As the country wept over the basketball team’s heartbreaking loss to South Korea in the semifinals, Mikee rose to the occasion and turned the tears of woe into tears of joy. Her victory was heaven sent and it couldn’t have come at a more timely moment.

The evening affair was the Cojuangcos’ celebration of the country’s triumphs in Busan. Appropriately, it began with a thanksgiving Mass.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Eric Buhain came. So did PSC Commissioner Cynthia Carreon, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) representative Nestor Ilagan, Putch Puyat, and Busan bowling gold medallists Paeng Nepomuceno and RJ Bautista.

In his brief after-dinner remarks, Ambassador Cojuangco congratulated the equestriennes for their victory and thanked their parents for sharing them with the country. It was a great honor for their families and countrymen, he said. Ambassador Cojuangco commented that if we keep the Spirit of Busan in our hearts, we, too, can achieve. He also noted the importance of sports as a rallying point for the nation.

That night, everyone came to realize that if a country is united, it can do wonders–it can succeed–it can overcome the toughest obstacles–it can surpass all expectations. It took five pretty equestriennes to open the country’s eyes to the fact that anything is possible if you do it right, if you work hard at it, and if you place your trust in God.