MANILA, Philippines— Instead of bickering, Senator Manny Pacquiao urged everyone on Tuesday to unite and rally behind Filipino athletes competing for the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
“Ang panawagan ko po sa ating mga kababayan, magkaisa po tayo, suportahan natin ang mga atleta natin kasi ito ang mukha natin, ito ang karangalan nating lahat,” Pacquiao said in an interview at the Senate.
(I’m calling on our countrymen to unite, support our athletes because they are our face, this is our pride.)
“Kung ano yung problema saka natin pag usapan, after ng SEA Games (Let’s talk whatever problems after the SEA Games),” he added.
The Philippines is hosting the SEA Games, which will run from November 30 until December 11.
But even before the opening, controversies—from food to accommodation of visitors — are hounding the country’s holding of the sports competition.
One complaint was the quality and quantity of food allegedly served to some athletes like “kikiam” (popular street food in the Philippines) and eggs.
Pacquiao had a different story, however, when he went to New Clark City where most athletes are housed for the SEA Games.
“Pumunta naman ako dun, wala namang kulang,” he said. “Tinanong ko yung mga participants natin—yung Thailand, yung Indonesia. Sabi ko: ‘Hows the food?’ Sabi nila, very good. Tuwang tuwa sila so okay naman, wala namang problema.”
(I went there, and there’s no problem. I asked the participants from Thailand, Indonesia: How’s the food? And they said, “very good.” They are very happy so everything’s okay, there is no problem.)
Pacquiao could not help but suspects that the SEA Games might just have been politicized.
He then reiterated his appeal to set aside all the issues surrounding the EA Games, and instead provide encouragement and moral support to Filipino athletes.
“Saka natin pag-usapan yung mga problema. Kung ano yung mga pagkakamali natin , pag usapan natin at ituwid natin,” the senator said.
(Let’s talk about the problems later on. Let’s discuss our shortcomings and correct them.)
And to organizers of the SEA Games, Pacquiao said they should immediately address whatever problems are being encountered by the athletes and visitors participating in the event.
“May pagkakataon pa para makabawi kung may pagkukulang man. Makabawi at maipakita sa ating mga bisita na tayong mga Pilipino ay magaling pagdating sa pag estima ng mga bisita,” Paccquiao added.
(There’s still time to correct whatever shortcomings we have. We can still show that we, Filipinos, treat our visitors well.)