Bokal Atty. JP Gozos hailed the achievement of fellow Batangeño David Matibag for winning the silver medal for the Philippines in the ASEAN University Games in Indonesia.
The student-athlete from San Beda Unversity Track and Field Team won silver in the men’s 800 meters.
Matibag is from Barangay Palanca, San Jose, Batangas and a resident of the 4th district of the province where Gozos serves as Board Member.
“Congratulations, David Matibag,” Gozos said in a Facebook post.
“Ito po ang mga kabataang gusto nating patuloy na masuportahan! Mga kabataang nagbibigay ng karangalan para sa ating bansa,” he added.
The competition in Surabaya, Indonesia was Matibag’s first international event.
“The experience will remain unforgettable.”
“For the first time, we competed internationally, and I am deeply honored to have won the silver medal and set a new personal best, improving my time from 1:52:34 to 1:52:25. The experience will remain unforgettable,” he stressed.
Matibag admits the journey to his first international game was not easy.
“‘Di man nakarating sa inaasam kong Palarong Pambansa noon pero ngayon ‘di lang paaralan ko, bayan ko, probinsya ko ang aking dala kundi bandila ng Pilipinas,” he said.
“Maraming salamat sa mga taong pinulaan ako, pinagtawanan ako dahil sa ginagawa ko. Kung wala kayo, wala ako dito. Kayo ang ginawa kong motivation para magpatulo,” Matibag stressed.
To celebrate this achievement, Gozos gave him financial assistance to support Matibag’s future endeavors.
“To all aspiring athletes, always remember that when the journey becomes more challenging, you are getting closer to your goals.”
“To all aspiring athletes, always remember that when the journey becomes more challenging, you are getting closer to your goals,” Matibag said.
“This is just the beginning. Let us now aim for even greater heights,” he concluded.
