‘GO FOR GOLD!’

SURAKARTA, Indonesia – “Let’s go for the gold!”

Ito ang hamon ni Buenaflor Cruz, ang cultural attaché ng Philippine embassy sa Indonesia, sa mga atleta ng bansa sa 11th ASEAN Para Games na opisyal na nagbukas nitong Sabado.

“Our para-athletes are quite admirable because despite their physical disabilities, they compete and strive to excel. It is not only a personal accomplishment to themselves but a huge source of pride and inspiration to our country that they are here,” sabi ni Cruz.

Si Cruz ay lumipad mula sa Jakarta upang makasama ang PH delegation at binigyan ng welcome dinner noong Biyernes ng gabi ng mga opisyal ng Philippine Paralympic Committee na pinangungunahan ni PPC president Mike Barredo at ng Philippine Sports Commission, sa pangunguna ni NSA affairs chief Annie Ruiz.

“We are pleased by the presence of Philippine embassy cultural attache’ Buenaflor Cruz before our country’s campaigners see action in the ASEAN Para Games. It is a sign of awareness that our embassy desires to see our athletes, who are all goodwill sports ambassadors, to fare well,” sabi ni Barredo.

Si Cruz, na siyang overall coordinator ng embahada para sa Philippine team na sumabak sa 2018 Asian Games, ay binigyan ng official tracksuit ng national team bilang pagpapalikita ng appreciation sa okasyon.

Pinanood ng Philippine embassy official ang wheelchair basketball event sa Sritex Arena Sabado ng umaga at sinamahan ang iba pang Filipino fans sa pagtsi-cheer sa men’s wheelchair squad, na ginulantan ang Indonesia, 15-0.