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
November 8th, 2007 at 1:06 am
go for a win kaya ng pinoy from canada
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:05 am
[...] 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. [...]
October 24th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Go for my 100% support!
We are a Filipino!
PROUD TO BE PINOY
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:00 am
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!
October 16th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
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……………
October 14th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Sa wakas may chance na naman ang mga pinoy na magkaroon nang representative as torchbearer s olympics…I support all filipinos na oragon!
October 13th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
go MARCO! we are here to support you….. mabuhay!
October 13th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
filipino!
go philippines! kaya natin to!
October 13th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
goodluck hope you win…
October 13th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
go!!!!
pinoys are the best…
we have to fight….
October 13th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Go!!! marc now pa lng we’re proud of you and we know kaya mo yan that’s the spirit of true pinoy!!!
October 13th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
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.
October 13th, 2007 at 11:34 am
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!
October 13th, 2007 at 11:02 am
kabayan!!!! go for it man
October 13th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Go for it, MARCO Itayo natin bantayog ng Pilipino
October 13th, 2007 at 4:25 am
go! sir marco
handa po kami supporahan para sa bansang pilipinas,,,,salamat po…and u always pray!!!
October 13th, 2007 at 4:11 am
ang masasabi ko lang po go! go! go! para sa ating bansa…maraming salamat po,,,,god bless you!
October 13th, 2007 at 2:02 am
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
October 13th, 2007 at 1:53 am
GO noypi!
October 13th, 2007 at 1:15 am
Go, Marcz!!!We will support U.
October 13th, 2007 at 12:44 am
gO for the gOLd!! we aRe prOud of you!!
October 12th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
flag the philippines and the entire filipino race through your dream of becoming a toarchbearer. sure you can, you have my vote and prayers!
October 12th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
were proud! of you marco! gud luck!
October 12th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
We are one with Marco Torress. Go Pinoy!
Show the world that we can!
More Power!
October 12th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
GO marco torres!!!! support him as pinoy olympic torchbearer in 2008 beijing olympics. Proud to be pinoy!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go marco torres……
October 12th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
te,..suportahan ta ka ei!!!!!!
proud to be pinoy…….wheww
taas noo poh khit kanino…..
October 12th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
supportahan taka marco!!!!!!
pinoy tayo……….astig……
October 8th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
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
October 7th, 2007 at 10:33 am
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
October 5th, 2007 at 11:08 am
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!
October 4th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
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!
October 4th, 2007 at 11:50 am
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!
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:51 am
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
October 1st, 2007 at 10:18 am
[...] Sports Aficionado : Suportahan ta ka (Vote for Marco Torres as torchbearer in 2008 Beijing Olympics) [...]
October 1st, 2007 at 8:42 am
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!
September 30th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
[...] Sports Aficionado : Suportahan ta ka (Vote for Marco Torres as torchbearer in 2008 Beijing Olympics) [...]
September 30th, 2007 at 7:33 am
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!
September 30th, 2007 at 7:28 am
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.
September 30th, 2007 at 2:00 am
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
September 30th, 2007 at 12:45 am
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!
September 29th, 2007 at 9:38 am
[...] Lester Cavestany blogs about the Filipino dreaming of becoming an Olympic torchbearer in Sports [...]
September 29th, 2007 at 9:33 am
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)
September 29th, 2007 at 7:42 am
another pinoy vying is vlad reyes, support him too