By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Philippines will not only be represented by athletes in the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, but also in the field of volunteerism.
This, after nine Filipinos including two persons with disabilities (PWDs) will leave for France on May 8 as part of the 45,000 people that will be part of the backbone for the successful staging of the world’s biggest sporting event.
“Nakaka-proud kasi we all know that volunteerism is part of our DNA. Ito yung chance kung paano natin ipakita yon at ipakita din na hindi lang tayo ang recipient of aid, we can do so much in a global field,” said Nanette Repalpa, national representative for France Volontaires Philippines.
As part of the volunteers’ preparations, the Philippine Sports Commission, in partnership with the French embassy and the France Volontaires-Philippines, conducted a volunteer training course last April 25 to 26.
Volunteers were taught about French culture as part of their preparation as Committee Assistants and Sports Facilitators in different sports associations, and what can be expected not only during the Olympics and Paralympics but also during the eight- to 10-month duration of their volunteering.
Among the participants in the two-day training course were former PSC commissioner Akiko Thomson-Guevera, and Olympians Stephen Fernandez, Elaine Alora and Jenny Guerrero.
“Being a PWD volunteering in the grandest sporting event, isang malaking opportunity and inspiration kasi makikita yung mga PWDs na goal-oriented sa Olympics. Sana ma-inspire din yung mga kagaya ko, especially the Filipinos PWDs, na kahit PWD ka, you’re more than capable of volunteering in this event,” said Brylle Samgel Arombo, one of the two PWDs joining the program along with Daisy Jane Ortega.
The rest of the volunteers are Romina Manahan, Ezra Balingit, Isaac Jefferson Coloma, John Vincent Balawen, Marie Gabrielle Faro, Monica Laura Chavez and Ma. Jeneca Rombaon.
Application for the volunteering program started in August 2022 with 112 applicants trimmed down to nine as announced on July 14 last year.
Selected volunteers were given prior immersions in major sporting and volunteering events including FIBA Draw Festival, Sports First-Aid Training, French Language class and French Volunteering Day.
