MANILA, Philippines – Throughout history, the Filipino fighting spirit has won the world over for being resilient and unrelenting, especially in the face of great adversity. Today, this is best showcased in the sports arena where Filipino athletes are generally considered handicapped in some aspects, yet more than makes up for it through sheer heart and determination.
This Pusong Palaban (courageous heart) spirit is never more evident than in the proudest moments of Filipino athleticism, where our sportsmen showed their warrior’s heart in defying great odds and overcoming challenges — from the country’s attaining of the legendary bronze medal in the 1954 FIBA World Basketball Championships led by hoops great Caloy Lozaga, track and field queen Lydia de Vega-Mercado sprinting to Asian athletics glory and diminutive boxers Onyok Velasco and Anthony Villanueva bagging silver medals in separate Olympic competitions, to Guinness world-record holder Paeng Nepomuceno winning 4 Bowling World Cups in 3 different decades, and people’s champ Manny Pacquiao stopping formidable opponents in eight different divisions.
Even modern-day sporting heroes continue to be fueled by this same indomitable Pusong Palaban spirit. Millions of audiences around the world who watched the Sochi Winter Olympics were thrilled with the captivating and highly-emotional performances of a determined young Filipino figure skater. Most of them were oblivious of the fact that it took the Filipino Winter Olympian years of hard work and relentless training at a mall skating rink in his tropical country to be able to realize his dream of setting his skates on the world’s grandest skating rink. In the end, Southeast Asia’s first Olympic figure skater fell short of getting any medal but got more than what he asked for, capturing the attention and gaining the respect of the world, including his countrymen.
The Pusong Palaban spirit can also be considered the driving force behind the frenzied and impressive run of the country’s men’s basketball team in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships, especially in their heart-stopping win against South Korea, whom the Filipinos have not defeated since the 1985 Asian Basketball Championships. With their spirits powered by the prayers and thunderous cheers of an entire nation hungry for redemption, the Filipinos relied on their fighting hearts and drew on each other’s physical and emotional strengths to power the national team to a historic triumph over their long-time nemesis, finally ending a 28-year curse and earning a ticket to this year’s FIBA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain.
A true fighter in both mind and body
Exemplary in every aspect, Manny Pacquiao is the epitome of the sportsman who never gives up. His usual training regimen includes running, cardio training, lifting weights, and sparring with other highly-talented boxers. Going toe-to-toe with some of the most vicious fighters, outwitting them through the most intense rounds of boxing, along with the pressure of being the country’s pound-for-pound king can take its toll on the Pambansang Kamao. But only with solid faith and determination in winning and constantly improving his boxing skills does Manny Pacquiao manage to come out victorious in the extremely physical sport.
Manny’s training style involves managing pain effectively. The iconic sportsman has the strong fighting spirit that can carry him through any challenge, but there are times when the body must catch up with the mind, especially when dealing with pain. To overcome this, the Filipino boxer follows a strict diet and guards his body against too much pain. Throughout the years, the Pambansang Kamao has shared his discipline with every hard-working Filipino, inspiring them to do their best in their respective field of endeavor.
Pusong Palaban, Katawang Alaxan
Giving its salute and support to the Filipino in their quest for honor and glory in their everyday work is Alaxan FR, bringing back body strength during trying times. Whether it’s heavy physical work, stressful long office hours or intense workout sessions, Alaxan FR backs up the Filipino’s overflowing Pusong Palaban with the much-needed fighting body to make every goal within their reach.
True to its new slogan Pusong Palaban, Katawang Alaxan, every Filipino becomes invincible in spirit and enduring in body with relief from pain by Alaxan FR.