Memories of Manila

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Continuing from the Memory Holder series...

This would remain my most memorable meet in all my years as a sports-person. At 14, we were the the youngest team members of the group to houl in a gold medal for the country tally of the SEA Games. All that hardwork, long hours, enduring the pains and injuries, scoldings from the coaches and lots of personal sacrifices were all well worth it for that one moment on the podium. As we watched our flag being raised, the national anthem played and the stadium's full crowd standing in support of us, the feeling is beyond description.

I've been back to Manila twice 14 years after that memorable moment and I somehow don't recognize the place anymore. What did seem familiar were the body searches everywhere we went, whether at malls or hotels. Back then during the games, I remember we had personal guards boarding the bus with us and even chaperoned us when we went shopping. It was thrilling to us then. Now it's probably a different story.

Next one: Memories of Beijing

4 comments:

FooDcrazEE said...

u make as though as u r ancient...

Eternity said...

quite ancient la, approaching the big-three-oh...

Anonymous said...

manila .... woooo.. one place i would love to revisit ! Eternity coming with me next ?? I will not make you eat "balot" (7 days old duck embryo)

hehehehehehehhe... yummy !

Eternity said...

growing old with you...oh yeah! =) eat anything but balot. so when you buying the tickets?