BANGKOK. – For the first time in the history of the Southeast Asian Games, and any international sports meet for that matter, a Filipino crew of cheerleaders is giving Pinoy athletes in the Thailand Games here a big and loud boost.
The cheerleading crew is composed of four members of the Tagaytay City Drum and Bugle Corps — Felix Jr. Florendo, Lee Daniel Isla, Jayson Ongray, and Jolo Ebrada.
Their presence here is through the initiative of Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino with the help of Philippine Sports Commission chairman John Patrick Gregorio,.
The four are employees of the Tagaytay Local Government Unit and have been working part-time as cheerleaders for the Cavite Patriots (Tagaytay Patriots). The Patriots is a women’s basketball team participating in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
To say they are excited is an understatement.
“At first, I didn’t believe it until I had a plane ticket. When we finally got tickets, I almost did a jumping jack,” said Ongray, 29, a father of one.
Isla, 28, was incredibly happy but also a little nervous because she’ll be interacting with more people than she had done during her time with the Patriots.
“Proud! We’re cheering the Philippines from Tagaytay,” said Ebrada, 30.
Florendo promised to make the most of the cheers, shouts, and applause to repay the trust of the POC and PSC and encourage the athletes to do their best.
During the start of their cheerleading duty last Wednesday, Filipino athletes racked up a 2-2-9 gold-silver-bronze haul. Last Thursday, they had a 3-5-12 harvest.
