National disaster

Howdy!

As the 26th Southeast Asian Games comes to a close, the winning ability of our athletes was put in question as Team Philippines languishes at sixth place – its ugliest finish since joining the region's most prestigious athletic conclave in 1977.

But in this war of friendship and camaraderie, sports officials – not the athletes – should be put on the blaming end of the spectrum. From the shortage of fund by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to the selection of athletes by the Philippine Olympic Committee-formed SEA Games Task Force, and the questionable decisions made by the POC leadership, everything was wrong.

Team Philippines' participation in the SEA Games was a disaster waiting to happen.

It was a time bomb ready to explode.

And that motivated our letter-senders to voice out their reflection on what went wrong during the 11-day affair. They expressed fear for the possible backlash back home as well as the security of their job now that their federation performed miserably in what was perceived as the world's lowest level athletic gathering.

Another letter-sender is also wondering what the future holds now that he is finally ready to step down from the sport that he dominated for nine straight editions, while a topnotch official was asking the odds of him winning another term, especially now that people realize that sports and politics do not sleep on the same bed.

All these and more in this week's action-packed edition of Dear Brutus.

(As always, the answers were real, the questions were fabricated)

***

Dear Brutus,

 I am sick and tired of people branding our SEA Games stint a debacle.

As you can see, all our athletes have performed hard. They have given so much of their time – the countless hours of training, taking good care of their body and living away from home – only for the sake of representing the Philippines in the international arena. They performed with soldier-like mentality – obey first before you complain.

Things were not rosy as expected, however. With the host country Indonesia fielding in its entire archipelago, and other regional powerhouses like Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia sending its finest athletes, our bets fared miserably like a bunch of school kids being bullied by the big boys.

But don't get me wrong: Our athletes played well. They represented the country well, and for me, that's the most important thing in joining a tournament like this.

Now, this is my question: What do you think went wrong in our participation? Is my position safe now that we are encountering a series of "unfortunate events" starting by the time I got elected for a second consecutive term? Is everybody happy with our performance, especially that familiar man sitting in Malacanang?

Please shed light.

Cheers,

JCJ of Paniqui, Tarlac

Dear JCJ of Paniqui, Tarlac,

As far as our participation in the SEA Games is concerned, everything was wrong, Mr. Jose "Peping" Cojuangco. Nothing went right.

Okay listen; when you and your allies were laying the foundation of our team headed for Indonesia, some national sports associations hitched a ride, thinking that the conclave could be their training ground for bigger competition. Of course, they were claiming that they have deep-pocketed sponsors to back them up, but basically, the wisdom of drafting a criteria of who should go and who should stay was greatly devastated.

In the end, our delegation was bloated to more than 500, making it very difficult to manage.

Then, when the team was finalized, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced that it has no fund to support the bloated delegation. Of course, everybody knows that you also control the leadership of the PSC so it won't object to whatever you wish. Good thing, Manny Pangilinan was there to chip in to our athletes' empty war chest.

Also, you failed to recognize those events where we have a bigger chance of winning. For instance, you allowed the – as Mark Joseph put it, "young and raw" swimmers – to compete without thinking that the SEA Games is a regional Games, not a high school intramurals. Instead of giving your nod to the youthful swimmers, you should have allowed more slots to performing NSAs like taekwondo, billiards, cycling or even athletics. Unfortunately, the leaders of those NSAs are not members of your inner circle, making that decision terrible for you to make.

Again, politics played a significant role in our campaign.

And it doomed us right from the start.

To tell you frankly, Mr. Cojuangco, leadership in sports is incomparable to your leadership in the House. As House Speaker during the post-Edsa Revolution era, you carved a niche as a great political operator. You were well-loved and controversial because you kept your friends close and your enemies closer.

It is also not the same way as managing your family's Hacienda Luisita. The athletes are not your sacadas. They need constant attention, tender love and affection. You should not bully your way around and impose yourself like an abusive landlord. Otherwise, they will not perform their best. And it will reflect on their performance in international competitions.

Mr. Cojuangco, please open your heart to criticisms. If your constituents, the NSA leaders, do not give you another term after the London Olympics, please step down and accept it with an open heart. You no longer have a brilliant political operator like Go Teng Kok to campaign for you when the going gets tough. What you have on your roster is a shallow bench of officials who act like parrots – saying and doing whatever you please.

Seriously, I fear that you might not be given another term. This could be your last SEA Games. The sports-crazy Filipinos have had enough.

Truly yours,

Brutus

***

Dear Brutus,

The thought of retiring with a losing mark never fails to terrify me.

But the other day, under the bright lights of the SEA Games, with millions watching every move, my long reign finally came to an end. It was bitter. Finally, there was somebody worthy to inherit my throne.

Brutus, could you please tell me what the future holds? What's next as far as my career is concerned? Is the sport that was dear to my heart ready to let me go?

Please advice.

Regards,

JB of Pasay City

Dear JB of Pasay City,

You know what, John Baylon, my nephew, Karl, is so much into judo. Whenever he ippons his opponent, he always unleashes a wild scream, saying that he is and will be John Baylon, the greatest Filipino judoka ever to step on the mat.

To make it sweet and straight to the point, there are so many kids like Karl whom you influenced with your winning ways. Look at around. Try to visit the UAAP. Almost all of the kids there have the same playing style – your style.

You have done so many good things for judo. Philippine judo is John Baylon and John Baylon is Philippine judo.

Simply put: You have left a legacy.

So please, do not walk away from the sport. If I were you, try hatching an army of young John Baylons by becoming a coach, or perhaps occupy a special position in the leadership of your good buddy, Dave Carter. Share your wisdom. Judo still needs you.

All the best,

Brutus

***

Dear Brutus,

What awaits me in the upcoming year following our so-so performance in the Southeast Asian Games? As you know, the Philippine Sports Commission is merely a funding agency. We have no say in the training of our athletes, much so in the politics in the national sports associations and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

We don't have any involvement in any kind of mess.

Our hands are clean.

That's why I'm asking you, Brutus, if you know anything that would implicate me in the highly-anticipated government revamp. I know we're at the mercy of the President, But do I still have a job before Christmas? Or will the administration issue my walking papers after the SEA Games?

I'm terribly confused.

With tears in my eyes,

RG of Bacolod City

Dear RG of Bacolod City,

There must be a valid reason for this kind of paranoia, Richie Garcia.

I totally agree when you said that the PSC has nothing to do with the political bickering in various NSAs or even in the POC. But aren't you also an appointee of POC president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco? If that's the case, then I'm sure your hands are not clean as what you have been claiming and you have already dipped your fingers in the boiling waters of POC politics.

Look, Mr. Garcia, some athletes and even PSC employees were restless during your reign. Some athletes claim that the fund they were getting were not enough while a score of employees were unjustly terminated, only because they were appointees of previous PSC chairmen. I know it wasn't your call. Your hands were tied.

I also totally understand where you're coming from because you are no longer a greenhorn in the government's funding arm for sports. You were a sports commissioner during the Estrada administration and made a grand comeback as part of the leadership of former PSC chairman William "Butch" Ramirez. So perhaps you know that there's really no job security in the government, especially in the PSC.

So to make this long litany short and sweet, I advise you to focus on bouncing back and pray that Cojuangco and his nephew, President Aquino, would not replace you with a more competent official. Remember, Cojuangco's son-in-law, Robert Jaworski Jr., has been wildly rumored to be the next PSC chairman, especially now that he doesn't hold any government position.

Yes, Dudot is a rookie, but if your backer is Cojuangco, there's no reason to worry.

Keep your fingers crossed. And pray – it works.

Cheers,

Brutus

***

Dear Brutus,

When Miguel Molina took a plunge into the pool of retirement, we lost not only a leader, but also an easy three to five gold medals. And from being awarded as the Most Outstanding NSA by the Philippine Sportswriters Association in 2008, our federation crashed, turning from a national pride into a national disappointment in a span of three years.

What do you think went wrong? As far as I am concerned, we are one of the few NSAs who scouts Filipino-foreign players abroad and our grassroots program is at its best. I have to admit, we have a little bickering within the organization as some sectors wanted me out, but it's just a petty quarrel, something that can be resolved overnight.

Our campaign is in the dark. Please shed some light.

Waiting for another Molina,

MJ of Makati

Dear MJ of Makati,

Mark Joseph, Miguel Molina is like a supernova; he's one in a million, he crashes at the most unexpected place and time. Do not cry a river of tears with his retirement. Instead, work doubly hard in unearthing another gem like him.

If I were you, I would mend fences with former Senator Nikki Coseteng, Susan Papa and all other critics who challenge your leadership. Try to achieve unity by holding a national tryout where only the best of the best would be tapped – regardless of political affiliation.

There a million Miguel Molinas around. If you cure the cancer swelling within your federation, I'm pretty sure that you could easily find them to bring glory back to your federation. Just keep your heart open, even to your critics.

Keep on smiling,

Brutus