PUB: The Urban Guide to Manila Living

Pinoys took to the streets once again, but this time it was not to stage a protest rally against a government fiasco. Snap-happy bystanders, clueless hangers on, office executives, corporate slaves and sidewalk “dibidi” vendors flocked to Ayala Avenue yesterday to celebrate the Philippines’ victory as over-all champion in the recently-concluded 23rd Southeast Asian Games and to meet the country’s medal-clad sporting heroes as they paraded on the central business disctrict’s main thoroughfare. The Makati leg of yesterday’s parade culminated with a ceremony in front of the Ninoy Aquino monument at the Ayala-Paseo de Roxas junction. Other members of the Philippine team toured other major venues of Metro Manila, such as Meralco Avenue, C5, Commonwealth, Katipunan, Araneta Center and Fort Bonifacio.

And the band played on for the Philippine Team

Philippine Wrestling Team

Champs Sailing Team

The Rowing Team rowed for the gold

Giving in to the crowd’s request, members of Philippine Judokas showed their winning moves

They cycled their way to the 1st place. Gold-winning Cycling Team

Enterworks employees posing with the Philippine Wushu Team…

…and Taekwondo Team.

Team Philippines won a total of 113 gold, 86 silver and 91 bronze medals, making the country overall champion of the Southeast Asian Games for the first time since it joined in 1977.

L Studio gave Fossil, Nike and Bench watches to gold and silver medalists, while the Muntinlupa City government gave cash prizes to gymnasts Roel, Ronnie and Al Ramirez, Danica Calapatan and Bonnie Sy; judokas Karen Solomon, Estie Liwanen, taekwondo-jin Criselda Roxas and arnis master Reginald Sanchez. To top it off, First Gentleman Miguel Arroyo will treat the gold medalists with a two-day holiday in Hong Kong on December 19 and 20.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave a thanksgiving dinner at the Ninoy Aquino stadium.

Photos by Candy Gutierrez of Team Enterworks

Related posts:

1. SEA Games Final Medal Tally The 23rd South East Asian (SEA) Games official closed yesterday...

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 8th, 2005 at 4:29 pm and is filed under Events & Happenings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.