In Shining Medals and Buckets of Support: Day 1389: 5 Minute Freewrite: Tuesday

Image from CNN Philippines

History was made last week, and it's something I'm personally proud of. The Philippines emptied its buckets -- its many buckets of support, energy, and prayers for the wellbeing and victories of its Olympians; surely the country's efforts were not in vain. A Filipina weightlifter by the name of Hidilyn Diaz bringing home the Philippines' first gold Olympic medal after nearly a century of competing in the Olympic games.

"Bayang magiliw, perlas ng silanganan... Alab ng puso, sa dibdib mo'y buhay... Lupang hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting... sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil......"

Tears rolled down my eyes. And it wasn't a waste of tears, I tell you.

Come to think of it, it's about time... actually, long overdue. The Philippines is finally setting itself at par with the world's greatest athletes. The Pearl of the Orient Seas is finally raising itself up from beneath the waters and has begun to shine its rays on the global sports stage. To Diaz, Didal, Paalam, Petecio, Marcial, Magno, Pagunsan, Pagdanganan, Saso, Obiena, Knott, Yulo, Watanabe, Niervaez, Valdez, Gebbie, Rule, Ando -- the whole Philippine Olympic team: you know very well how proud our nation is of you.

Mabuhay ang Pilipino at ang Republika ng Pilipinas!