Timor Leste’s national flag. INQUIRER.net stock photo
While the Philippine team continues to win gold medal after gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, a number of Filipinos have exhibited the spirit of true sportsmanship online.
In particular, Filipino netizens have expressed their support for Timor Leste’s athletes who have yet to win any medal.
A certain Avriel Anne Pediongco showed her support by sharing the post of one Timor Leste athlete named David Espirito Santo Morais on Facebook earlier today, Dec. 3. Morais’ post featured photos of him alongside other teammates during the opening ceremony of the games.
“Philippines, let us all support our beloved brothers and sisters from Timor-Leste by encouraging them to train here in the country with our highly motivated athletes even after the #30thSEAGames,” she said.
“Let us cheer for Timor Leste! [Timor Leste’s flag emoji],” she added. “You can do it our brothers and sisters in East Timor.”
She explained that she wants the team to return to their country “with a smile and something to celebrate,” and hoped they win medals.
Meanwhile, another netizen, Ves Garcia, expressed her backing for the Timor Leste team on Twitter.
“[Philippines] lead in the SEA Games really made us proud,” she said, “but we will be happier if Timor-Leste would also win medals to bring with them as the SEAG ends.”
PH lead in the SEA Games really made us proud, but we will be happier if Timor-Leste would also win medals to bring with them as the SEAG ends. 🥺
It's not just about the competition. It's about compassion. Let us cheer for Timor-Leste!🥰 #SEAGames2019#WeWinAsOne
— Ves Garcia 🌻 (@vesahgee) December 3, 2019
Garcia added that the games are “not just about the competition,” but are also “about compassion.”
Amid the support other Filipinos are showing for Timor Leste, another netizen @HashtagRonald, expressed how it was “nice to see” his fellow countrymen cheer for the other team.
“[T]hat is indeed the real spirit of the [Southeast Asian Games] #TimorLeste,” he stated. He accompanied his post with a GIF of the country’s flag.
Its nice to see my fellow kababayans cheering for East Timor ❤ that is indeed the real spirit of the southeast asian games #TimorLeste pic.twitter.com/TKRFWIL1WC
— Ronald (@HashtagRonald) December 3, 2019
A certain Lee Andres (@leencredible) echoed @HashtagRonald’s sentiments, saying she was “touched” by her fellow Filipinos who are cheering for Timor Leste.
“I stan the [sportsmanship]!” she added. “Hopefully all countries would get a Gold!”
I'm touched with my fellow Filipinos who's cheering for #TimorLeste to win medal(s) for #SEAGames 🏆🎖🏅🥇🥈🥉
I stan the sportmanship! Hopefully all countries would get a Gold! ✨💕
— Lee Andres (@leencredible) December 3, 2019
The Timor Leste team managed to win three bronze medals in taekwondo in the 2017 SEA Games held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The said country was only admitted into the SEA Games in 2003. JB
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