By Lester Cavestany, Contributor
INQUIRER.net
Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger).
-- Olympic motto
THERE is a growing online movement to support Marco Torres in his goal of being chosen as one of eight foreigners/expatriates in China who will carry the torch for the Olympic torch relay. I think that with the growing number of bloggers and Internet users in the Philippines, we can all help make this happen. Click here to vote for him.
If you didn’t click the link above, you’re probably wondering why we should support Marco Torres. You’re probably asking, “I don’t know him so why should I support him?”
Good question!
For most of us, the simple answer, “Because our countryman needs our support so that he can best all the other hopeful expatriates in China,” would suffice. But there are those who need more explanations before they give their support. So read on and I hope that after reading this post, you would be more than willing to support Marco Torres.
What’s it all about?
The 2008 Beijing Olympics is just around the corner. One of the most powerful ceremonies of the Olympic Games is the lighting of the Olympic Flame during the opening ceremonies. This tradition has been in place since the ancient Olympics in Greece and it has its roots in Greek mythology. The ritual was given a new twist in the 1936 Berlin Olympics when Carl Diem introduced the torch relay.
Carl Diem was in charge of the organizing committee of the 1936 Olympics in Germany. He came up with the idea of the torch relay as a way of promoting the Games. His idea was magnificent: Use the ancient Greek tradition of the torch relay as a way of creating interest in the Olympic Games in Berlin. And so in 1936, a torch was lit at the site of the temples of the Olympic gods in Athens, Greece. In true ancient fashion, a “priestess” used mirrors to focus the rays of the sun to light the torch. Then, she passed it on to a torchbearer who would begin the relay. The torch was carried on foot within cities, and by other means of transportation between several cities in seven countries. After the relay, the torch was used to light the Olympic Flame to kick off the opening ceremonies of the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
After the success of its introduction, the succeeding Olympics carried on the tradition of the torch relay, with more cities and torchbearers getting involved. For the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the torch will be lit in March 2008 and will be carried by about 15,000 torchbearers from around the world in 28 cities of five continents and over 70 cities of China. The organizers are also planning to take the torch to the peak of Mt. Everest (aka Mt. Qomolangma). Finally, the last torchbearer will use the torch to light the flames on the opening day of the Beijing Olympiad on August 8, 2008.
The Olympic spirit
If you enjoy watching sports and if you’re a fan of sporting events, then you probably know what the Olympics is all about. It is definitely the biggest sporting event in the world. Today, there are two Olympics -- the Winter Olympics and the Summer Olympics. Growing up in the beautiful tropics of the Philippines, I am more familiar with the highlights of the Summer Olympics. I mean, who can forget the valiant efforts of Onyok Velasco in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics? He was so close to winning the first Olympic gold medal for the Philippines. But it wasn’t meant to be. Nevertheless, we still rejoiced at his silver medal victory and we gave him a hero’s welcome as soon as he landed on Philippine soil after the Olympics. Many of us caught the Olympic spirit after Onyok’s heroic attempt. And we are still hoping that someday soon, we will strike gold in the Olympics.
Twelve years down the road, the Olympic spirit is still burning in our hearts. And Marco Torres is definitely stoking the fire. He is truly an Olympics fan. In another weblog, he recounts the trials and tribulations of getting tickets for The Games in Beijing. He also joined the Lenovo-sponsored contest called Olympic torchbearer nominee selection among foreigners living in China.
The contest
The Torchbearer contest is open to all foreigners in China who have lived there for at least a year. Each participant has to meet the criteria set by the organizing committee and they have to submit an essay on why they should be chosen as one of the eight foreign torchbearers. The profile of the contestants and their essays are posted online on the China Daily website and the public is encouraged to vote. (Only one vote per IP address will be counted)
By the end of November, the judges’ panel will announce the eight winners based on the number of votes received and their evaluation of the participants.
Every vote counts so please vote for Marco.
After voting, spread the word. You can also forward this post to your friends so they too can be convinced to vote for their countryman.
The Real contest
And as we support Marco Torres in his dream of becoming an Olympic torchbearer, let’s also extend our prayers and support to our Filipino athletes and their hopes of Olympic glory. Could this be the year that the Philippines will bag our first Olympic gold? I certainly hope so. However, it has to be said that winning medals is definitely not the be-all and end-all of the Olympic Games. It’s obvious that our society puts a premium on winning and being the best. But this is not what the Olympics is all about. In fact, the Olympic Creed says that
The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.
As a school teacher, it brings me great joy to know that the value of participation is given its rightful place in a highly competitive event such as the Olympics. This is something we teach at our school too. We say to each student, “As long as you are participating and doing your best, then you’re already a winner!”
With this in mind, I would like to congratulate Marco Torres for participating in this contest. I hope our kababayans will go online and support you all the way. I’m sure that the same online community that lambasted Malu Fernandez for bashing the OFWs will once again unite. But this time, we will unite for a more positive cause. We will rally behind Marco Torres for he is proudly representing not just the OFW’s, but the Filipino people!
Half the battle is won. Now we just have to “Jedi Mind Trick” the judges. That’s something that we need to lift up to the Higher Power.
Editor's note: You may visit Lester Cavestany's blog at www.lestercavestany.com
Suportahan ta ka (Vote for Marco Torres as torchbearer in 2008 Beijing Olympics)
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[...] Marcos Antonio Torres was picked from among 262 applicants in a contest organized by Chinese computer maker Lenovo Group, an Olympic sponsor, and the government newspaper China Daily. Each will carry the torch for 200 meters on Chinese soil. [...]----- PING: TITLE: INQUIRER.net Blogs » Mac-A-Doodle, Mazinger Z and Maggie Q URL: http://inquirerbloggers.net/home/2007/10/01/mac-a-doodle-mazinger-z-and-maggie-q/ DATE: 10/01/2007 10:18:04 AM IP: 208.113.187.102 [...] Sports Aficionado : Suportahan ta ka (Vote for Marco Torres as torchbearer in 2008 Beijing Olympics) [...]----- PING: TITLE: INQUIRER.net Blogs » Martin’s mom, reporting and PDI URL: http://inquirerbloggers.net/home/2007/09/30/martins-mom-reporting-and-pdi/ DATE: 09/30/2007 09:58:26 PM IP: 208.113.187.102 [...] Sports Aficionado : Suportahan ta ka (Vote for Marco Torres as torchbearer in 2008 Beijing Olympics) [...]----- PING: TITLE: INQUIRER.net Blogs » Quo vadis, Olympic torchbearer and Iron Man URL: http://inquirerbloggers.net/home/2007/09/29/quo-vadis-olympic-torchbearer-and-iron-man/ DATE: 09/29/2007 09:38:02 AM IP: 208.113.187.102 [...] Lester Cavestany blogs about the Filipino dreaming of becoming an Olympic torchbearer in Sports [...]----- -------- Read More
another pinoy vying is vlad reyes, support him too
Calling all champions of sports trivia, we need more information about the Olympic torch relay that happened in Manila on Sep 3, 1964 for the Tokyo Olympics. Who were the torchbearers and organizers of this historic event in Manila?
I was thinking that we can spark more interest in this "Pinoy for Olympic Torchbearer" campaign for Marco and Vlad if we give it some historical background.
(Big thanks to Mr Joey Alarilla, multimedia editor of Inquirer.net, for posting this entry and helping the "Pinoy for Olympic Torchbearer" campaign)
Hi Mon! True. Another Pinoy is vying. The other one is Pinoy-Chinese American though and as per his point no. 9, he carries an American passport. Because of this, if he is chosen, is it the US or the Philippines he is representing...
Anyway, Pinoys lets be one in fighting for a Filipino to be an Olympic torchbearer for the 1st time since the 1964 Olympics. Spread the word to everyone.
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Marco is now at no. 11 and seems on the way there thanks to our being one and united. Go for GOLD!
This blog should have been published 6 days ago when we could have gotten a lot more people to be aware and vote for Marcos. The voting should have ended this week and the list of torch bearers should have been finalized by this time as well. I sent a suggestion to gmatv news august 24 but nobody paid attention... Oh well...
http://olympicblogger.blogspot.com/2007/09/marcos-antonio-torres-filipno-olympic.html
Peeps,
Vote lang and forward....use YM, emails, Facebook, Friendster, Multiply, fax, DHL, Fedex, etc. etc lahat na... Let's make sure a Pinoy makes it.
Kung sa Miss Universe nga chaka American Idol, Pinoy lahat ng bumoboto, dito pa kayo.
Mon, true, there is another Filipino-Chinese American. But he carries an American passport as per his point no. 9. Anyway, maybe the Americans vill vote for him instead. I believe the Pinoys will have better chances having a unified single vote.
Mga kababayan ko! Please keep voting Marco and forward to all your friends.
Good luck to Vlad on his quest as well.
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
The Olympic Blogger,
The voting will not end TILL END OCTOBER. Only, the accepting of new applications ended September 30. We have an entire month to go.
Let's keep the fire, or in this case, the OLYMPIC TORCH burning!
Game pa!
Dear Fellow-Filipinos,
Thank you for making a stand and exercising your rights of suffrage...Let us not let this golden opportunity pass us by...Vote Marco Torres! Our most eligible candidate to represent us in the Beijing Olympics...We can make this happen!
A toast to Marco! We believe in you. May God's mighty hand uphold you... Godspeed!
Peace and unity to us all!
Kathy
Mga kababayan ko!
I would like to thank you for the support. Of 349 candidates, we are now at no. 14 with about 2,500 votes. We are getting closer to making the Beijing Olympics even more special to Filipinos. After all, bihira lang naman umabot sa Asia ang Olympics.
We have until the END OF OCTOBER TO VOTE. Please forward to all your friends, relatives and countrymen.
Kung magkakaisa ang mga Pinoy, there is no limit to what we can achieve. Maraming salamat muli. Let us keep the Olympic torch burning in our hearts!
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Go for Gold!
We, the Pinoys in Sacramento, are all out to support Marco Torres!!! We are very proud to have a Filipino carry that Olympic torch and hope to see it happen again in this lifetime.
Go Marco! The strong Filipino community in Sacramento, California and the US are with you in your quest.
GO PHILIPPINES!
People,
Check out the video ad on the search created by Zhang Yimou (Director of Hero and House of Flying Daggers) himself. Its way too cool! Will really inspire you to have a Filipino carry that glorious torch!
http://lightthetorch.net/
Anyway, Marco has the vote of everyone in Dubai!
Go Marco! Go Philippines!
Hello fellow kababayans! I have also made it a mission to get our fellow kabayan Marco Torres to bear the torch for us for the Beijing Olympics 2008. He gets about 15 votes a day from my blog but I think it's not enough. The competition is really strong yet we got him to the TOP 14. We need to aim higher kabayans.. I placed the voting link on my index page for any visitors to vote. GO GO GO Marco - we can do it!
http://chuvachienes.com
Please take time out to read my blog regarding Marco's bid for the Beijing Olympics. Maraming salamat po.
http://ricocalma.multiply.com/journal/item/5/THE_FIRE_BURNS_WITHIN
supportahan taka marco!!!!!!
pinoy tayo..........astig......
te,..suportahan ta ka ei!!!!!!
proud to be pinoy.......wheww
taas noo poh khit kanino.....
GO marco torres!!!! support him as pinoy olympic torchbearer in 2008 beijing olympics. Proud to be pinoy!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go marco torres......
We are one with Marco Torress. Go Pinoy!
Show the world that we can!
More Power!
were proud! of you marco! gud luck!
flag the philippines and the entire filipino race through your dream of becoming a toarchbearer. sure you can, you have my vote and prayers!
gO for the gOLd!! we aRe prOud of you!!
Go, Marcz!!!We will support U.
GO noypi!
PLEASE NOTE KABAYAN - IMPORTANT UPDATE. VOTING WILL END IN 24 HOURS - OCTOBER 14TH 2007 - "NOT" OCTOBER 31ST. SO, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES TODAY!!! MARCO TORRES HAS CATAPULTED TO NUMBER 3 - - HUWAG TAYONG MAG-PASULOT NG MGA LAST MINUTE VOTERS NG OTHER CANDIDATES. LET'S RAISE OUR FLAG HIGH WITH MARCO TORRES!
http://chuvachienes.com
ang masasabi ko lang po go! go! go! para sa ating bansa...maraming salamat po,,,,god bless you!
go! sir marco
handa po kami supporahan para sa bansang pilipinas,,,,salamat po...and u always pray!!!
Go for it, MARCO Itayo natin bantayog ng Pilipino
kabayan!!!! go for it man
I will support you.though i don't know you, i know you deserve to win 'coz you are a filipino, and Filipinos are great!
marc, i don't know you... you don't know me but it really does not matter. this is your dream. if it will make you happy, i am just as happy to help... besides this is something that will make us proud.
Go!!! marc now pa lng we're proud of you and we know kaya mo yan that's the spirit of true pinoy!!!
go!!!!
pinoys are the best...
we have to fight....
goodluck hope you win...
filipino!
go philippines! kaya natin to!
go MARCO! we are here to support you..... mabuhay!
Sa wakas may chance na naman ang mga pinoy na magkaroon nang representative as torchbearer s olympics...I support all filipinos na oragon!
marco ur the best...... di ba ang pinoy ay astig at may tiwala sa sarili..... dapat hwag trayong susuko........ sulong mga pinoy....... we must fight... now... i vote for you........ try your best..... good luck...............
Isulong mo ang galing ng pinoy! Dapat po galingan niyo para maipakita sa buong mundo na magagaling ang pinoy! Di po ba sa ngayon binabastos ng ibang bansa ang kakayahan ng mga Pilipino? Kaya this is the time para makaganti tayo sa kanila kasi I'm a concern high school student naman po. Basta susuportahan ka ng Sta. Peregrina High School at Sina Montano Aquino & Family!
Go for my 100% support!
We are a Filipino!
PROUD TO BE PINOY
go for a win kaya ng pinoy from canada
Thank you for your wonderful web site and this guest page
This is a one super duper site
Your site has made me smile :-)