2022 has been filled with ups and downs for the Philippines. Several Filipino athletes made feats that will go down in Philippine history. However, some events also caused sadness among the Filipino people.
HIDILYN DIAZ BECOMES A WORLD CHAMPION
2020 Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz also brought pride to the Philippines in 2022.
The Filipina weightlifter won three gold medals in the World Championships held in Bogota, Colombia from December 5 to December 16. Diaz ruled the women's 55-kilogram category after registering a total lift of 207 kilograms. Diaz managed to lift 93 kilograms and 114 kilograms in the clean and jerk category.
"Muli na namang nagpamalas ng natatanging galing ang kauna-unahan nating Olympic gold medalist na si Hidilyn Diaz sa kanyang pagkapanalo ng mga gintong medalya sa 2022 World Weightlifting Championships," President Marcos said in Twitter post.
"Kaisa ko ang buong bansa sa pagbibigay pugay sa iyo, Hidilyn, sa patuloy mong pagsusumikap upang magsilbing inspirasyon sa maraming Pilipino, at makapag-uwi ng karangalan para sa ating bayan," the Chief Executive added.
Aside from the Weightlifting Championships, Diaz also bagged a gold medal in the 31st SEA Games. She recorded a total lift of 206 kilograms, 92 kilograms in the snatch, and 114 kilograms in clean and jerk, to rule the women's 55 kilograms event.
THE 2022 OF EJ OBIENA
No other Filipino had a roller coaster in 2022 other than pole vaulter EJ Obiena. The athlete started the year as a pariah of his own national sports association but ended the year as one of the most bemedaled athletes in the country during the year.
In January, the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) announced the plans for the organization to remove Obiena from the national team and file estafa charges against the athlete.
The charges stemmed from the alleged failure of Obiena to pay the coaching fees of Ukrainian coach Vitaliy Petrov on time.
During his conflict with PATAFA, Obiena received support from the Philippine Olympic Committee, which declared PATAFA chief Philip Ella Juico as 'persona non grata, and several lawmakers.
The row between Obiena and PATAFA came to an end following a mediation spearheaded by the Philippine Sports Commission. Following the mediation, PATAFA included Obiena to the line-up of the Philippines in the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam. During the height of the row, PATAFA excluded Obiena from the line-up.
"It is with much joy that we announce that both parties have agreed to a settlement and the proceedings ended successfully," PSC said in a statement.
"PSC Chairman William Ramirez who served as the sole mediator in the proceedings expressed his happiness that the first-ever sports mediation conducted by the PSC successfully assisted both parties to arrive at a settlement," the sports body added.
The end of the conflict also prompted the POC to lift the resolution declaring Juico as 'persona non grata'.
During the SEA Games last May, Obiena served as the flag-bearer of the Philippines in the opening ceremony. The athlete also contributed to the gold medal haul of the country after clearing 5.46 meters and ruling the men's pole vault event.
In July, Obiena made history by becoming the first Filipino to win a medal in the World Athletics Championships. Obiena cleared 5.94 meters to place third in the 2022 edition of the athletics meet held in Oregon, United States and set a new Asian record. The achievement also pushed Obiena to the third spot in the world rankings.
Obiena has also struck gold in the 2022 True Athletes Classic, 26th Internationales Stabhochsprung-Meeting, the St. Wendel City, and the Memorial van Damme Wanda Diamond League, and the Galà€ dei Castelli before the year ended.
FILIPINAS MAKE HISTORY IN PHILIPPINE FOOTBALL
Amidst the downs experienced by the Philippines in the world of sports in 2022, the accomplishments of the national women's football team became one of the causes of celebration for the country.
The Filipinas sealed the first appearance of the country in the FIFA Women's World Cup after defeating Chinese Taipei, 4-3, in the quarterfinals of the AFC Women's Asian Cup held in India. While the Philippines failed to secure the FC Women's Asian Cup title after losing to South Korea, 2-0, in the semifinals, the World Cup ticket already brought glee to the hearts of many Filipinos.
As a reward for their achievement, the Philippine Sports Commission approved the awarding of Php 1.25 million worth of special incentives to the members of the Philippine National Women's Football team. PSC said that the 23 players including the two reserves will receive Php 50,000.
The Filipinas brought further pride to the country after winning the 2022 ASEAN Football Federation Women's Championship. The Filipinas claimed the crown after beating four-time defending champion Thailand, 3-0, in the finals at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The victory marked the first championship of the Philippines in any AFF-sanctioned international tournament.
ALEX EALA SNAGS US OPEN JUNIOR SINGLES CROWN
The Philippines also had something to celebrate in the world of tennis. Alex Eala became the first Filipina to lift the US Open Junior trophy. The 17-year-old Filipina tennis player best Lucie Havlickova of the Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-4, to claim her first junior Grand Slam singles title.
Prior to her triumph, Eala won two double Junior titles. Eala and Priska Madelyn Nugroho of Indonesia ruled the 2020 Australian Open. The Filipina tennis player also won the title in the 2021 French Open alongside Oksana Selekhmeteva of Russia.
"It is with an immense sense of pride and joy that I congratulate Alex Eala on her historic win at the US Open Junior Girls’ Singles Championship. Another Filipina has raised our flag, and made our nation proud," President Marcos said in a Facebook post.
"To Alex, thank you, for the honor you brought us, and we, your kababayans (countrymen), wish you all the best in your journey up ahead,” the Chief Executive added.
Philippine Sports Commission chairperson Noli Eala also congratulated his niece for her achievement and described her win as a testament to the Filipino spirit as well as strength of character.
"Alex worked long hours and days and sacrificed being away from home to pursue her dream and achieve this milestone in her career. She has proven that the Filipino can be at par with anyone if given a genuine pathway for success. Truly a proud moment for the country," the PSC official said.
GILAS PILIPINAS DETHRONED IN SEA GAMES
Basketball fans all over the Philippines also suffered heartbreak when Gilas Pilipinas, the national men's basketball team, lose to Indonesia, 85-81, on May 22 at the 31st Southeast Asian Games held in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The defeat effectively relegated the Philippines, which finished with a 5-1 win-loss record, to a silver medal finish in the 5x5 men's basketball tournament, an event that the country ruled since 1989. Indonesia, coached by the former, claimed the gold medal after winning all six of their games.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) apologized for the failure of the national team to win the 14th straight championship of the country in the SEA Games 5x5 men's basketball tournament. SBP president Al Panlilio said that the organization shares the disappointment of Filipino basketball fans and takes full responsibility.
"We apologize we fell short and were not able to give our teams better support that they needed to retain the gold," Panlilio said in a statement.
Gilas Pilipinas suffered another heartbreak after failing to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Philippines dropped out of contention in the tournament after losing to Japan, 102-81, on July 19. The defeat also marked the first time that the Philippines failed to reach the FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals since 2007.
The losses caused members of the Filipino basketball community to call for the resignation of Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes and called for the reinstatement of his predecessor, Coach Tab Baldwin.
Critics further pushed for Reyes to step down after TNT Tropang Giga fell short of defending the PBA Philippine Cup crown against San Miguel Beer. Reyes, the coach of Tropang Giga, missed two games of the best-of-seven finals series due to his coaching duties for Gilas Pilipinas. During his absence, TNT suffered back-to-back defeats.
Filipino basketball fans gained something to celebrate when Gilas Pilipinas, led by NBA star Jordan Clarkson, routed Saudi Arabia, 84-46, during the August window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers. The game happened at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The audience included President Marcos.
The Philippines already assured a spot in the World Cup as one of the host countries, and also secured back-to-back wins against Jordan and Saudi Arabia in the November window of the qualifiers. The three-game winning streak quieted down calls for Reyes to step down.
THE PASSING OF LYDIA DE VEGA
The Philippines entered a period of mourning in 2022 due to the passing of Filipina sprinter Lydia De Vega-Mercado on August 10 at the age of 57-years old. Stephanie Mercado De Koenigswarter, the daughter of De Vega-Mercado, confirmed the passing of the woman known as Asia's Sprint Queen during the 1980s.
Prior to her passing, the family of De Vega-Mercado said that she has been confined at the Makati Medical Center due to Stage 4 Breast Cancer.
De Vega Mercardo retired from competing in tournaments in 1994. Prior to her retirement, the two-time Olympian won nine gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games, ruled four Asian Championships, and topped two Asian Games.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joined the country in mourning the passing of De Vega-Mercado and said the athlete placed the Philippines on the map of international athletics.
"I join the entire nation in mourning the untimely demise of former Asian sprint queen Lydia de Vega, after a four-year battle with breast cancer. My sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones," President Marcos said in a Facebook post.
"Lydia de Vega has run her last race. She has finished her contest. She has fought a good fight. Let us pray for her peace," the Chief Executive added.
Rep. Abraham Tolentino, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, promised to immortalize the achievements of De Vega-Mercado at the planned POC Museum in Capas, Tarlac.
Tolentino made the promise when he visited the wake of De Vega at the Heritage Park in Taguig City.
“Her achievements in the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Championships, and Asian Games, among others, will be immortalized there in the museum,” Tolentino said.
Tolentino said that Filipina sprinter will serve as an inspiration to all aspiring athletes.
