Who forgets Tim Lincecum’s World Series performance helping the San Francisco Giants win another series after 60 years? He was magnificent on the mound as the world watched him pitching. Filipinos and Filipino-Americans (Fil-Am) in the Bay Area and around the US were so proud when the Giants clinched the title knowing that Fil-Am Lincecum is the hero of the Giants-Rangers square off. Here at home, there was a story in the dailies chronicling his ancestry and reminding us the feat of a great pitcher of Filipinos descent. Filipinos who are constantly searching for heroes tip their cap for the achievement of “one of their own”.
Now that the smoke of the World Series has settled down, the flame of incinerated Filipino pride glimmers.
Or do we only have the so-called “Filipino pride” when a Fil-Am or a hyphenated Filipino is at the top of his/her game or winning a championship?
Are we intentionally leaving behind Coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat who is the first Fil-Am coach of the NBA and the first Fil-Am head coach of any North American professional sports team simply because his guys are struggling on the court?
We read pleasant and unpleasant (mostly unpleasant) opinions about the beleaguered Spoelstra from international sources. A number of basketball officionados and followers believe Miami Heat is a very strong or invincible team because of the unparalleled trio talent of James, Wade and Bosh. Despite high expectations, the reverse makes more sense at this time.
The possibility of the legendary Pat Riley firing Spoelstra to pave his return to the floor to coach even cropped up but a number of game analysts believe that Erik is good in directing the game. Some have a no nonsense suggestion that Riley should support his young coach instead.
Now, where is Erik’s support from Fil-Ams in the Bay Area, Miami or in Chicago area where he was born and back here at home where his roots come from? The more popular basketball than baseball sports in the country should be a rallying point for us to support Erik. Sadly, we either don’t care or refuse to spark once more the Filipino pride simply because the Miami Heat under Spoelstra's eye is currently underachieving.
If time strikes that luck turns 360 degrees and the Heats are in the play off or finals to say the most, probably that will be the time when Fil-Ams abroad and us here at home will be proud again.
The childish mentality that we only know someone when he is at the top is uncharacteristically Filipino and the opposite of our traditional spirit of camaraderie that "Walang iwanan, sa hirap man o ginhawa." (No one should be left behind in victory or in defeat.)
Finally, that opportunistic and selective attitude reflects the true meaning of Filipino pride which is sometimes shameful if not trash. -30-
Photo Credit:
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=490921&publicationSubCategoryId=69
See related post at:
http://sapientiaaedificat.blogspot.com/2011/05/dallas-vs-miami-mavericks-in-7-or-7.html
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