Long before the entire nation raved about Manny Pacquiao who became a superstar in the professional boxing field, there were amateur boxers who strived and succeeded in the Olympics to bring honor to the country despite only getting paid by medals and momentary fame. At that time, these athletes had unwavering dedication and contribution in spite of the challenges they faced.
Going back in history, the Philippines won its first silver during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics through Anthony Villanueva?s boxing skills in the Featherweight division. Meanwhile, Leopoldo Serrantes brought glory to the country after 24 years when he bagged a bronze medal in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.
On account, the Philippines first joined the Olympics in the 1924 Paris Games. After 86 years of competing in the most prestigious sports event in the world, the country only has nine recorded wins with two silver and seven bronze medals. The last one, a silver medal, was won by Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco, Jr. who competed in the Men’s 48 kg category at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Five out of the nine medals were won through boxing. Certainly, it is the top-medal producing sport for the country in the Olympics.
In this episode of Krusada, ABS-CBN sports correspondent Dyan Castillejo paid a visit to Anthony Villanueva and Leopoldo Serrantes, retired boxers who were basked in the spotlight during their prime but are now confined in their homes?waiting for death to come.
Anthony suffered from stroke three times, paralyzing the right half of his body while Leopoldo has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. He brings an oxygen tank with him wherever he goes, as he can no longer breathe without it. Despite their previous heroics, they feel forgotten and neglected at a time when they most needed help.
Currently, they both receive monthly pensions from the Philippine Sports Commission. Anthony accepts seven thousand while Leopoldo gets six thousand Pesos. These are measly amounts especially when their present condition is taken into consideration.
Just last year, Dyan was able to visit them as they received assistance from the PJ Lhullier Foundation. Leopoldo was given a new oxygen tank whereas Anthony, his much-needed physical therapy. It was a grand blessing for both retired Olympic boxers, but it was also short-lived.
Anthony Villanueva
Anthony Villanueva is the country?s first Olympic silver medalist. His father, Jose ?Cely? Villanueva, was an Olympian bronze medalist who won at the 1932 Los Angeles Games. Cely gave him enough drive as well as enough reason to pursue boxing.
Most people may think that Anthony?s desire to fight in the boxing ring naturally ran in his blood. But he admits that it is not completely true, as he originally wanted to become a baseball player. Nonetheless, he had to follow the footsteps of his champion father.
After winning in Japan, Anthony returned home to a hero?s welcome. Confetti was thrown, photographs were taken?he became an instant celebrity as he made headlines in every newspaper in the country. Almost immediately afterwards, he co-starred in movies with actors like Nida Blanca and the professional boxer and celebrity, Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde. Unfortunately, as the iron inevitably cooled down, the money and fame that came along with his Olympic glory also had to end at some point.
Fourty-seven years after his win, Anthony now lives with his wife in a small government housing village at Cabuyao, Laguna. He is now 65 years old. After suffering from three strokes, he no longer has the energy to carry himself, let alone to walk. He can barely speak.
Ronnie Nathanielsz, one of the country?s veteran sports journalists, describes Anthony?s wife Liezel as ?the saving grace in Villanueva?s daily struggle?. Her love and dedication for her husband is beyond any age and measure?indisputably unconditional.
She spends her days serving and carrying Anthony, attending to his every need because he is unable to walk, even eat by himself. She travels daily to Batangas to buy vegetables and sells them at a local market to be able to sustain their household. After a day?s work, she has no time to rest as she would attend to Anthony again and at the same time, take care of their twelve year old son.
Liezel goes into detail about her daily responsibilities for Anthony.
?Magpainum ng gamot, pinaliliguan, lahat. Pag dinnadala ko siya sa CR, ilagay ko siya sa wheelchair, paupuin ko sa inidoro kasi hindi siya nakakatayo, hindi siya nakakalakad tapos araw araw ko siya minamasahe, yung katawan niya para mabuhay yung ugat para matulungan ako kasi sobrang bigat niya.?
Anthony had to stop therapy when they were resettled in Laguna. It was difficult for both him and Liezel to travel at such a long distance just by public transport.
Their troubles did not cease to build up. May of last year, Anthony almost died due to Sepsis. Liezel continues her story.
?Sabi ng doctor titignan daw kung makakaya sa gamot, i-che-check daw nila para daw hindi matuloy yung sepsis ay yung dialysis niya. Kasi nakita ko mga pasyente duon, ang hirap pala nung dina-dialysis yung iba natutuluyan kaya awang awa ako sa kanya. Sabi kong ganon bahala kahit wala kaming pera.?
When Dyan asked Anthony how much he loved his wife, his angel in Dyan?s eyes, he briefly replied: ?Super.?
Upon seeing his tarnished medal, Krusada convinced Anthony to turnover the esteemed award to the Philippine Sports Museum. He consented as PSC Commissioner Ritchie Garcia ensured looking after his Olympic silver medal.
Later that day, Krusada brought Anthony and Liezel to the Philippine Sports Museum. He was assisted by the commission?s physical therapists and carried by members of the champion Philippine Dragon Boat team.
Anthony was emotional as he viewed his mementos inside the museum. It was also his first time to see his father?s Olympic medal after a long time. His reaction was bittersweet upon seeing his name and photograph under the Hall of Fame.
Presently, Krusada received news from the PSC that Anthony has started to be given his physical therapy. But due to the distance between PSC and their home, Liezel was advised to search for a hospital within or near Cabuyao, Laguna. The PSC will shoulder the expenses afterwards.
Leopoldo Serrantes
After a brief success in the 1980s, Olympic bronze medalist and retired Master Sergeant Leopoldo Serrantes fell into hard times. Now at age 48, he is a prisoner in his home found in a narrow alley in Cavite.
He lives with his wife Divina and seven children, all of which still depend on him to whatever he could afford for food and basic necessities. Both husband and wife are unemployed, with no stable income to support the family. He cannot find work despite still being relatively young. Evidently, Leopoldo is unable to walk even at short distances as he finds difficulty in breathing due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. He needs constant assistance from his wife or son.
?Pag laos ka na, pag wala ka na, nakakalimutan ka na ng tao eh. Ganun ang Pilipino kung san ka nandun, nandun din ang pilipino pero kung bumagsak ka na ganun din sila wala na rin.?
In spite of his disabilities, he still strives to fulfill his duties as a father. He struggles to bring food on the table, to the extent that he sold his medals (?pina-kilo?) to buy egg and rice for the family?s dinner one day. As he lost his medals, what remains are certificates and photographs that hold no value to him anymore.
?Ang pinagsisisihan ko nga kung bakit nga, sabi ko nga bakit kumuha pa ko ng mga medalya eh, bakit ko pa binigyan ng karangalan ang Pilipinas kung alam ko lang ganito dahil ang alam ko noon ang karangalan ay mahalaga, pero ngayon nakikita ko ang karangalan ay para lang sa mayaman.?
Fortunately, he turned over his Olympic bronze medal to the Philippine Sports Commission in 2008. He was ready to give it up for a measly amount just so he could feed his family. He did not even consider spending it for his health as he uses expired nebulizers and medicine. The commission granted him a 30 Thousand Peso donation in return.
Leopoldo?s Olympic bronze medal can now be found at the Philippine Sports Museum.
As previously mentioned, Leopoldo is also a retired Master Sergeant of the Philippine Army. Because of his 27 years in service, he is entitled to receive a commutation pay that amounts to P932,000.00.
Previously, Divina had to constantly borrow money to be able to finish the requirements and papers needed. After months of going back and forth to Manila, they were still unsuccessful.
With the help of Dyan and Krusada/Sports Unlimited?s segment producer Jackie Aspiras, Leopoldo was able to get the money he desperately needed.
Krusada brought Leopoldo, together with his wife and youngest son, to the Philippine Army Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio. Liutenant General Arturo Ortiz, who is also the current Commanding General of the Philippine Army, personally granted Leopoldo?s check. He promised to help more Filipino soldiers like Master Sergeant Serrantes.
?Dito sa headquarters we exist because of our soldiers in the field. Sila yung nagbibigay ng accomplishments natin.?
The Philippine Army extended their service to Leopoldo when they had the Landbank opened for him to encash his check. The team saw great joy in his eyes as he withdrew his money at an ATM. Receiving his commutation pay is a great blessing for his whole family.
Nevertheless, Leopoldo is an athlete more than a soldier. He is entiled to benefits by the PSC especially because of his medical condition. Krusada aided Leopoldo in seeking medical subsidy from the PSC. The executive board instantaneously approved of his request. However, they are still waiting for the medicines as of this time.
Krusada continues to keep in touch with Divina through phone calls. At a recent conversation, she discloses that their lives have changed so much?and for the better. Out of Leopoldo?s commutation pay, they bought a new home that is currently being renovated. In addition, they now have an active source of income as Divina decided to buy two tricycles to be driven by her daughter?s husbands. Previously, their small ?sari-sari? store was empty, now they have goods to sell. Divina boasts of a piggery as well, buying 20 pigs to start off the business. Above everything else, Leopoldo now has the money to buy medicine as waits for the PSC?s subsidy.
Dyan?s Lifetime Crusade
As an athlete herself, Dyan has made it her crusade to educate active and retired athletes about their financial and medical benefits. She also hopes to push for bigger and more appropriate benefits for the athletes that make our country proud.
Presently, the PSC has 20 pensioners. Among those are Leopoldo and Anthony who receive six and seven thousand Pesos per month. But a major problem is the lack of information dissemination among athletes?including Dyan.
There is also clamor to augment the incentives being given to athletes upon winning in events. Currently, winning an Olympic gold entitles the athlete to five million Pesos. The silver medal is worth 2.5 million, while the bronze medal, one million Pesos.
More than the incentives being granted at their prime, Dyan believes that there is a need for stronger programs for Filipino athletes as they retire. While there are provisions that support this cause in the Sports Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001, the implementing rules are still in question.
Boxing analyst Ed Tolentino affirms the Dyan?s standpoint.
?I thought that the government could?ve come up with a better program hindi dun sa kasagsagan ng kasikatan ng atleta. Hindi naman niya kailangan ng extra money pag sikat siya eh. Ang kailangan niya pag tapos na. Pag hindi niyo nako pinakikinabangan.?
He further believes that retired athletes are always worth helping.
?Kahit na sabihin natin they could have taken better care? these are national treasures. They gave us unparalleled honor. Ang sabi ko nga ang tao na hindi marunong tumingin sa pinanggalingan, either may stiff neck o walang utang na loob. We must allow ourselves to look backwards to these people who helped us appreciate sports better.?
More than the honor they have brought to the country, Anthony and Leopoldo gives inspiration to other Filipino athletes. Their stories are meant to be learned from and their mistakes are not meant to be committed again. January 20, 2011
