Mindanao Land Of Filipino Champions
When an outsider puts Mindanao on a subject, they’ll be asking if it is safe in Mindanao. Mindanao would always be tagged with war and violence, as this region became a battleground for our military against the rebels and terrorists.
Mindanao was the region where the Zamboanga Siege, Ipil Massacre, Davao Bombings, Bombing of the coffee shop in Cagayan de Oro, and the Bukidnon Bus Bombing had taken place. It was at this region where rebel groups had lived and had fought for whatever ideals and independence they had thought was good for Mindanaoans.
But today, Mindanaoans fought back to regain its good name and are now trying to bring back its former glory of what was once the “Land of Promise” for Filipinos.
New Olympic Medalists
In Zamboanga City alone, we have Hidilyn Diaz who fought our country’s drought for an Olympic Gold since 2008. And just a few weeks ago, Hidilyn snatched the country’s first Gold, a victory not just for Zamboangueños, but also for Mindanaoans and Filipinos as a whole.
Then there’s the Davaoeña Pride Nesthy Petecio, Kagay-anon Fighter Carlo Paalam, and another Zamboangueño who won the silver medal during the Tokyo Olympics 2020 for the Philippines. While Boxer Eumir Marcial, bring the Bronze Medal for us. These new four heroes are currently showcasing their talent to get the Gold for Filipinos, and coincidentally are coming from this Land of Promise, Mindanao.
Honestly, these Mindanaoan athletes are promising. And if there’s one thing we can say about them, it is that Mindanaoans are proven as fighters and winners.
Now is the time that we must prove to outsiders that Mindanao is the true land of champions. Let’s end the stigma that Mindanao is a troublesome land in the southern part of the Philippines. Let’s admit now that Mindanao Land of Filipino Champions.
And by the time they go home soon from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, let us welcome them with all our hearts as one true Filipino spirit, and let us all remember that these athletes shall make everyone forget about the worst image we had in this region.
List of Names Who Bring Pride to Mindanao.
Sports
- Hidilyn Diaz – The pride of Zamboanga City who just won the Gold Medal during the Tokyo Olympic 2020 (Weightlifting).
- Eumir Marcial – A pride of Zamboanga City also who brought the Bronze Medal during the Tokyo Olympic 2020 in Men’s middleweight·Boxing.
- Carlo Paalam – The pride of Cagayan de Oro who just won the Silver medal during the Tokyo Olympic 2020 in Men’s flyweight·Boxing.
- Nesthy Petecio – The Davaoeña Pride who took the Silver Medal during the Tokyo Olympic 2020 in Women’s Featherweight ·Boxing.
- Senator Manny Pacquiao – The only boxer in the world to win major titles in the 8th different weight division. (General Santos City)
- Ian Lariba – She is from Cagayan de Oro and the 1st ever Filipino Olympian Table Tennis Player to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. (Cagayan de Oro City)
- Alvin Teng – Teng carried the national colors that won the gold medal in the 1985 Southeast Asian Games held in Brunei and fourth place in the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, Japan. (Davao City)
- Annie Mana-ay And Josephine Malinao – Pinay power athletes in the Basketball Category. Mana-ay and Malinao were teammates of the Region 11 team that won the gold in the 1984 Palarong Pambansa and later in the RP women’s national team that played in the 1984 Jones Cup in Taipei, 1985 SEA Games Thailand, 1986 Asian Games in China, and 1986 Hong Kong Goodwill Games. (Davao City)
Mindanaoans Beauty And Brains
- Pia Wurtzbach – After 42 years Pia Wurtzbach returned the crown and was crowned Miss Universe 2015. (Cagayan de Oro)
- Mary Jean “MJ” Lastimosa Ms. Universe-Philippines – MJ is the perfect example of perseverance. After she failed to get the Binibining Universe crown in two tries, her patience and hard work paid off when she won the crown in 2014. (Davao City)
- Lourenz Grace Salibay Remetillo – Ms. Supranational Philippines and Supranational. Born in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Lourenz Remetillo holds the distinction of being the first Ms. Supranational Philippines, then later on as Ms. Supranational. (Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte)
- Shamcey Gurrea Supsup – Binibining Pilipinas 2011 and 3rd runner-up Miss Universe. Shamcey hails from General Santos City. She topped the board examination for architects in June 2011 with a board rating of 86.60%. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines Diliman. (General Santos City)
- Nadia Lee Cien Shami – Binibining Pilipinas International 2007. Nadia hails from North Cotabato. After winning the crown in 2007, she went home to Mindanao and finished her studies at the Ateneo de Davao University. (North Cotabato)
- Lia Andrea Ramos – Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2006. No one could be more proud of Davao City’s Lia Ramos than the Davaoeños when she won the Binibining Pilipinas Universe title in 2006. She also won the Ms. Photogenic Special Award in the same pageant. (Davao City)
- Elizabeth Garcia Berroya – Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1992. Liza Berroya is also a proud Kagay-anon. She worked as a newscaster with ANC Channel 21 after the fame she received and married Dennis Salud in 2001. (Cagayan de Oro)
- Maria Isabel Pagunsan Lopez – Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1982. Maria Isabel Lopez is the pride of the Kagay-anons, she was born in Cagayan de Oro and is also a multi-awarded television actress. (Cagayan de Oro)
- Maria Caroline “Maricar” de Vera Mendoza – Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1981. This lovely Filipina was born in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. (Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental)
- Maria Margarita Moran – Ms. Universe 1973. Universe 1973 Maria Margarita Moran married a businessman from Mindanao Tony Boy Floirendo. She was not born in The Land of Promise but after her marriage she adopted the land and became an advocate for tourism, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, and promoting peace throughout Mindanao. She is the president of Ballet Philippines.
Politics
- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte – 16th President of the Philippines (Davao City)
- Emmanuel Pelaez – The 7th Vice President of the Philippines. He comes from Misamis Oriental and almost became the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Pelaez served as congressman and senator before being tapped by Diosdado Macapagal as his running mate in 1961. (Medina, Misamis Oriental)
Forgive me if I missed other Mindanaoans who are not on this list. Please put it in the comment so that I can include them in this Pride of Mindanaoans. Mindanao is now the place where you can find the Champions and legends.