If there is one thing about Filipino Americans, it's that they are loud and proud when it comes to representing the country. I have seen Fil-Am parade materials over the years to accentuate this fact. From wearing the country's colors in their hoodies to doing their interpretation of whatever food fusion they want to achieve, Filipino Americans crave for sense of belonging and feel proud of what they achieved for the country.
So yeah, if Levi Jung-Ruivivar had known that there was going to be a Malacanang meet-and-greet, she, Aleah Finnegan, and Emma Malabuyo would have come, even if it's short notice, and regardless of whatever the hell they are doing. The three gymnasts, alongside golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina, were absent from the heroes' welcome.
At first glance, I think it's scary that our golfers were missing. Of the five, they are the ones who could have given the Philippines another medal, and they did this while patching the flag with double adhesive tape. Of all the athletes, these two are livewires that may or may not say anything positive about their hardships leading to the event.
On the other hand, the gymnasts had the support but they were just outmatched by the world's best. Carlos Yulo is an anomaly, just like Simone Biles and Nadia Comaneci. Nadia's perfect ten is the reason why Romania is a powerhouse in the sport while Biles is the reason for Team USA's continued dominance. For Jung-Ruivivar, Malabuyo, and Finnegan to rise above these challenges, they would have to dig deep and train like hell.
Still, they are a part of the Philippine contingent, and I bet the other athletes and the other sports commissions pulled a lot of strings for their athletes to be there. The mere fact that they are meeting the president and he said that they are going to get money for representing the country with pride and joy is enough reason for athletes to give it their all.
Snubbing them and not defending them is one of the reasons why Yuka Saso is now representing Japan in golf and Maxine Esteban is representing Ivory Coast in fencing. It's the same reason why Jake Jarman is with Great Britain, Leylah Fernandez is playing for Canada, and Lee F'N Kiefer is for the United States.
Jarman won a bronze medal in the same floor exercise event in which Yulo won his first gold medal. Lee Kiefer, whose mom is from Capiz, won gold medals in the same event as Sam Catantan and the team foil tournament for Team USA.
LEE KIEFER IS AWESOME!!!!
Take out the team foil, the Philippines could have finished with three gold medals, three bronzes, and three what-ifs from the gameplays of Pagdanganan, Carlo Paalam, and EJ Obiena.
I don't know if Jarman is serious about what he said, but I don't think this is good PR if they want him to switch allegiances. I can understand if these were the previous administrations but ever since Hidilyn Diaz's win in 2016, Philippine sports has been on a tear.
It's a bad idea if an old chief thinks she can screw around the athletes.