ILOILO – “Sa isa ko ka libo nga paminsaron, wala ko gid mapinsar nga amo ni sia. Wala gid ako maghuna-huna nga mag-record-breaker gid sia.”
These were the words of a doting mother who did all she could to send her son to the recent 2023 Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City.
According to Noemi Paclibar of Barangay Bay-ang, Ajuy town, her son’s feat filled her with so much joy and pride.
The 13-year-old Wennie John Paclibar bagged three gold medals in elementary level athletics — 4×100-meter relay, 4×400-meter relay, and a record-breaking javelin throw of 53.06 meters.
Hoping to finish his studies and bring honor to his family, school and the entire Region 6, the resolute Wennie went to the national games without any of his family members as they could not afford the trip to see him play.
His mother, Noemi, said she entrusted her son to coaches Joe Marie O. Sandoy and Anecito Feranco Jr.
The Paclibar family relies on fishing for their livelihood. But they could not set out to sea recently due to the inclement weather.
“Nagakadto ina sia sa Concepcion maskin wala sia balon. Ginapangayoan ina sia namon sang maestra sang balon para may ipabalon man ako sa iya sa training,” said Noemi.
She added that hard work at an early age helped her son win gold medals.
The mother described Winnie as good-natured, dedicated to his studies and has no vices. As such, the Paclibar family did everything to ensure Winnie could continue his studies.
Winnie told Panay News he was frugal with the Palaro allowance his coach gave him to buy food for his family.
“Handum ko nga maka-Palaro para mabuligan ko akon ginikanan,” Winnie said.
As the opening of another school year nears, Winnie took the opportunity to knock on the door of the kindhearted.
“I-grab ko na ni ang opportunity, ma’am, basi ma’am may pwede dira mapangayuan sponsor para sa akon mga school supplies kay wala gid kami di subong, pigado gid. Gusto ko gid makatapos pag-eskwela,” he said.
Before reaching the national games, Winnie won five gold medals in the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet in Aklan in April 2023. He received P25,000 in cash from the local government unit of Ajuy headed by Mayor Jett Rojas and an additional P5,000 in cash from the officials of Barangay Bay-ang.
According to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., the Iloilo provincial government will also be giving out cash incentives.
Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-217 states that the incentives are a way of recognizing Iloilo provincial athletes, coaches, assistant coaches, trainers, and chaperones who excel in sports competitions sanctioned by the Department of Education, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
For athletes
* Gold – P8,000
* Silver – P6,000
* Bronze – P4,000
For coaches
* Gold – P8,000
* Silver – P6,000
* Bronze – P4,000
For assistant coaches
* Gold – P5,000
* SIlver – P4,000
* Bronze – P2,500
For trainers
* Gold – P8,000
* Silver – P6,000
* Bronze – P4,000
For chaperones
* Gold – P3,000
* Silver – P2,000
* Bronze – P1,000./PN
