‘Winning Still’
There’s a recently published book entitled “Winning Still” that’s a collection of essays written by over 20 prominent Filipino sports figures about their insights, hopes and apprehensions in the first 100 days of the pandemic. Among the writers are Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, Philippine Olympians Association president Akiko Thomson, 2018 world jiujitsu champion Meggie Ochoa, former POC legal counsel Atty. Toto Africa, UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag, Philippine Rugby Football Union president Ada Milby, Muay Thai Association of the Philippines secretary-general Pearl Managuelod, Ateneo women’s volleyball coach Oliver Almadro, nine-time PBA champion coach Joseph Uichico, Gilas/TNT/Ateneo assistant basketball coach Sandy Arespacochaga, two-time women’s world 10-ball champion Rubilen Amit and William Jessup University (Rocklin, California) women’s basketball coach Hernando Planells.
Publisher Gang Capati of Rock Ed Publishing wrote an intriguing introduction, starting off with the statement that “I think the tragedy of this country is that there aren’t enough athletes in government” and continued by saying “the athlete knows there is genius in repetition, wisdom in teamwork, humility in victory and pride despite defeat … how can an individual shaped by sweat, rules, lines, speed, strength, solitude and crowds not be a good leader? If an athlete is true, an athlete can lead.”
Gang and Ateneo de Davao University athletics director Noli Ayo conspired to produce the book. When the pandemic broke out, Ayo and the late Cebu journalist/broadcast Rico Navarro organized a forum through Zoom every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to exchange ideas with sports personalities as a way to learn from each other and keep the spirit of the game alive. The so-called MWF Sessions went on for three months. Then, the idea of producing a book based on those gatherings came up. Unfortunately, in the process of editing the first draft of the book, Rico passed away. “’Winning Still’ is the experience of Filipino coaches and athletes who were touched by the lockdowns and found the strength to look deep into their psyche for strength,” said Ayo.
Ayo, whose cousin Aldin is an NCAA and UAAP champion hoops coach, remains active in online conferences. He’s the chief facilitator of a six-session Sports and Mental Health Online Certification Program organized by Atty. Al Agra’s Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation in partnership with Adrenaline Solutions. Dr. Elesa Zehndorfer will deliver her third talk on sports and mental health tomorrow at 3 p.m. while health/well-being coordinator Jennifer Blackman will speak on Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. Previous speakers were Owen Southgate on creating a positive environment for athletes and Deborah Spink on fitness and sports towards a healthy community. Agra will end the program on Feb. 21. Ayo also hosts a Zoom for “Winning Still” writers and friends with guest speakers and I was honored to attend last week. He was in a Zoom meeting yesterday with Dr. Zehndorfer while she conducted an executive MBA faceto-face class in Romania. Dr. Zehndorfer, whose father Rod Argent is the keyboards player of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame British Invasion band The Zombies, will be the keynote speaker in the Online Sports Leadership Program National Summit that Ayo is staging face-to-face at the Palawan State University in Puerto Princesa in October.
The National Summit will be the culmination of 10 batches of 12 to 16 participants each with Ayo presiding in online discussions. He expects at least 50 to join the three-day Palawan convention which will focus on networking, sharing of experiences and systems thinking. “In the heart of the program are the stories of our Olympians,” said Ayo, known as the founding convenor of the Mindanao Peace Games. “By these stories, we hope to create a strong network of Filipino sports leaders, outside Manila and beyond NSAs, to be active in nurturing a transformative and empowered sports culture.” For those interested to join the National Summit and/or order the book “Winning Still,” please contact Ayo at this email address noliayo@gmail.com.