Digital trends emerge from SEA Games 2019 DIGITAL CORNER

While the inaugural Esports competition allowed our athletes to get additional medals from the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, there were other stories that became popular on various social media platforms here in the country and abroad.

The first of the online trends was when Filipinos rallied on Twitter to cheer for Timor-Leste. It all started when netizens recalled that the country became independent only in 1999 after a United Nations-sponsored referendum.

East Timor’s separation from Indonesia was not easy following violent clashes between citizens and the police during the latter part of the 1990s.

Even Filipino athletes were impressed with local netizens who participated in the online campaign, as they saw the spirit of sportsmanship that we willingly shared with our Southeast Asian neighbor.

Timor-Leste has a silver and five bronze medals as we went to press.

In Singapore, Christina Tham finally got her first SEA Games gold medal after 38 years of participation. The BBC reported that Tham started competing at the age of 12 when she bagged silver in swimming. Now 50 years old, Tham won two golds in underwater hockey team events 4 on 4 and 6 on 6, scoring one goal each.

Incidentally, her first SEA Games stint in 1981 was in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Indonesian wushu artist Edgar Xavier Marvelo won two gold medals but later learned that his father passed away while he was competing, reducing him to tears after he stepped down from the podium.

Back in Philippine cyberspace, a funny interview with billiards legend Efren “Bata” Reyes was widely shared after his frank response to a reporter’s question.

Asked what advice he would give to the young generation who want to follow in his footsteps, the “Magician” said students should stay in school and do well in their studies. Playing billiards, according to the 65-yer-old cue artist, should be balanced with getting good education.

He also laughed at hints that he could still win a championship, saying he thinks his time is up and it’s time to pass the baton to younger, better players.

Finally, the best online discussion from the SEA Games, in my opinion, was the surfer who sacrificed a gold medal to save a competitor from drowning.

Roger Casugay was on course to get the top prize on 6 December when he noticed his Indonesian counterpart has been dislodged from the surfing board.

Casugay rescued the Indonesian and shared his board with his fellow athlete on their way back to the shore. The event was reset.

When the longboard event resumed two days later, Casugay still got the gold.

The selfless act meant more than all the golds in the world and I congratulate Casugay for his bravery. It also turned out that he and his Dutch partner have a knack for saving and helping stray and injured animals as well.

Truly, Casugay embodies the hashtag #WeWinAsOne.

“The selfless act of surfer Roger Casugay to save a fellow athlete meant more than all the golds in the world.

“Efren 'Bata' Reyes thinks his time is up and it’s time to pass the baton to younger, better players.