Mark Barriga's Olympic Journey

(Photo by Murad Sezer, Reuters)

The evening of July 31 (Philippine time) marks the first step of lone Filipino boxer Mark Anthony Barriga in his quest for glory in the 2012 London Olympic.

The hope of the country where the best pound-for-pound boxer lives rest on the shoulder of this 19-year old fighter who seeks to accomplished what no Pinoy athlete has ever reached--- the elusive Olympic Gold medal.

Fighting in front of a full-house crowd that included his parents Edgar and Melita who flew in to London with the help of Procter and Gamble, Mark connected with a flurry of shots in the opening round, landing a solid straight in the last seven seconds that prompted a standing 8-count against the much taller Italian slugger Manuel Cappai. He continued his dominance en route to a 17-7 win.

Mark stepped on the ring once again on the evening of August 4 (Philippine time) to slug it out againts Birshan Zhakypov of Kazakhstan for the right to enter the Round of 8.

The young Pinoy boxer gave his all and led the match 10-8 entering the 3rd round.  But the table turns against the Philippine side when Barriga was penalized twice within the final salvo thus deducting 2 points from the judges score card.  The damage was so huge that he end up losing the bout in a close 16-17 decision.

Mark may have love his quest for gold this time but with more training and patience to achieve his dream, who knows, 2016 might be the right time for him to get another crack for glory and finally win the top prize for his country.

Momsky Goes to the 2012 London Olympic Games

Momsky (third from left) beside Popsky taking time for this group shot with P&G officials and other guests including yours truly in a London-inspired hat and beer belly

When I was a child, I had this fantasy of standing on stage during the Olympic games and being proclaimed as the first Filipino Olympian to get a gold medal.  I had a lot of versions--- I was a swimmer, boxer, wrestler, fencer, and a karate kid.

Two decades later, I did not become any of the athletes that I mention. I failed but I never stopped dreaming that someday a Pinoy will finally get the spotlight and we will finally hear our national anthem being played in the “biggest sports spectacle in the world.”

I have this good feeling that this year could be the time that the most awaited moment of every sports-loving Filipino will happen. It may be againts all odds for our country’s lone boxing hope Mark Barriga but millions of his kababayan will definitely be praying for his success all the way.

Mark and other members of the Philippine team need every cheer and prayer they can get.  The young boxer is just a little luckier than the rest because his biggest fan will be watching his every move during the 2012 Olympics because the kind-hearted people behind Procter & Gamble, Proud Sponsor of Moms, flew in his mom Melita Barriga, together with husband Edgar Barriga, to London to enable her to show her love and support to her 18-year old son.

To prepare her for the London where she will see her son’s bouts, Procter & Gamble held an intimate party over Afternoon Tea at the Manila Peninsula with the participation of the British Council.  The setting of the place emanated the culture of elegance that London is known for, and Anama Dimapilis, Procter & Gamble Corporate Communications Manager, balanced it with her lively hosting as she emulated the variety of accents to be heard in the bustling city.

I was one of the invited bloggers who personally wished “Momsky”, as Melita is lovingly called by her children, good luck to her and her son for what could be the most exciting week of their lives.

Momsky and the rest of the participants learned more general information and some key details about London to get her ready. With the briefing conducted by Mike Cabigon of the British Council, she and husband “Popsky” learned about the London weather, what to wear, the nuances in culture, how to interact with the locals and a crash course on geography and how to get around in the city. Toward the end of the program, Procter & Gamble presented them with their passport with UK Visa, jackets, and a care package to help them during their first trip outside of the country. Finally, the British Council gave them a book of games about London and the Olympics to help while their time while on the plane.

Momsky will also be bringing the hopes of those who yearn for the first gold medal for the Philippines, as well as the faith of those who wish that her son fares well. The most important thing that Momsky is bringing to London, however, is the support that she has always provided for Mark--- the love she has always had for her son, the boy that she raised to be an Olympic athlete, through her own rather Olympic feat.

I will be posting updates about Mark’s journey to greatness and Momsky’s adventures in UK as well. just click HERE from time to time for such exciting news and information.

Thank You Mom

The month of May is one of busiest time of the year. While some are preparing for their town fiestas and the many activities it brings (basketball tournaments, sagala, beauty contests, etc), others engage in road trips and out-of-town adventures before the back-to-school season hit the scene.

But we should not forget that a special day is celebrated worldwide in the midst of the festivities and madness that the hot air of summer gives. Every second Sunday of May is recognized as the day of appreciation to the greatest women in our lives. I am not talking of our wives and girlfriends. It’s your mama, mommy, mom, nanay, ma, inay, mudra, inang, mum and whatever unique name you call her.

A few days ago, I was watching a video over Youtube when I saw a thumbnail of a video on the sidebar of the screen with the title, “Best Job.”  In the next two minutes, I felt a pinch in my heart and was just moved with the images and message of the short yet inspiring clip. After viewing it, I told myself that I want to do something special for my Nanay Conchit this coming Mother’s day.

I plan to cook tinola for her. Something that she always does for me every time I am down, with sickness or due to a sad episode in my life, and every sip of her wonder soup lifts up my spirit and brings a smile on my face. I also wrote her a letter which I want to share to you guys. Why?  You’ll find out when you read the note below. I decided to do it in tagalog and you’ll also know the reason for this in the letter.

Dear Nanay,

Huwag ka sanang magtaka kung bakit sinulatan kita. Wala po akong mabigat na problema, uunahan ko na po  kayo.  Magpi-pitong taon na yata ang nakalipas ng huli kitang sinulatan noong nagta-trabaho pa ko sa ibang bansa.

May mga bagay lang kasi akong gustong aminin sa inyo na dapat ay matagal ko nang nasabi. Ito na siguro ang tamang pagkakataon dahil malapit na ang Mother’s day.

Nay, hindi mo alam ito pero nung elementary po ako, tinanong ako ng teacher ko kung ano ang trabaho mo. Ang sabi ko isa kang businesswoman pero di ko binanggit na pagtatahi ng basahan ang negosyo mo. Mayabang kasi yung katabi ko at palagi sinasabi manager sa pagawaan ng kotse yung mommy niya. E tuwing Christmas party, mas maganda naman ang suot kong damit kesa sa kanya.

Tapos nung high school, napag-usapan naming magkaka-klase kung ano mga natapos ng mga nanay namin. Ang sabi ko undergrad ka pero di ko na binanggit na hanggang grade 5 lang inabot mo. Ako kasi nag-top sa buong batch namin sa National College Entrance Examination (NCEE). Baka sabihin nila nangodiko lang ako o tsamba lang yun.  E, magaling naman talaga kayong mag-review sa akin, diba?

Nung college ko naman, may naghahanap sa inyo kung kelan daw kayo makikilala ng mga barkada ko kasi hindi ko daw kayo iniimbitahan sa awarding ceremonies ng mga essay contest na aking pinagwagian. Kayo na din kasi nagsabi na baka pagsalitain kayo sa stage ng ingles e bilang lang kamo sa daliri ang English words na alam nyo.  Binabati ko naman kayo sa mga acceptance speeches ko bilang inspirasyon sa aking mga gawa.

Aminin ko man o hindi, pero hindi ko po kayo naibida sa ibang tao sa ilang bagay bilang aking ina. Ngunit nais kong linawin na hindi ito nangangahulugan na ikinakahiya ko kayo. Marahil noong mga panahong iyon ay inaakala kong nararapat lang ang aking mga ginawa sa mga nasabing sitwasyon.  Ngayon po ay nais kong isigaw sa buong mundo ang lubos kong pasasalamat sa inyo!

Salamat po na mula sa pagtatahi ng basahan ay nagawa n’yong bilhan at bihisan ako at ang aking mga kapatid ng maaayos na kasuotan.

Salamat po na kahit di ka nakatapos ng elementarya ay nakagawa kayo ng paraan at nairaos n’yo akong mapagtapos sa kolehiyo.

Salamat po at kahit hindi kayo magaling mag-ingles ay naituro nyo sa akin ng wasto ang ABC na siyang naging pundasyon ko bilang isang manunulat.

Nanay... nais kong lagi n’yong isaisip at isapuso ang mga salitang ingles na ito na hindi mo man madalas marinig sa akin ay alam kong maiintindihan ninyo, I love you so much, Nanay Conchit!

Lubos na gumagalang,

Richard

My nanay might shed some tears reading this letter.  I just know. She cries over sad movies and soap operas. So just to lighten up the mode, I prepared some original pick-up lines especially dedicated to my ever dearest mother. I’ll be using some products that I see in my nanay’s small sari-sari store so she can easily relate with my pa-cute messages. Here goes...

Find out how you too can show your appreciation to your mom.  Discover why the hardest job in the world is also the best job in the world.  Visit the official Thank You Mom Facebook page and be part of the celebration of love to the greatest women of our lives!