Essence of victory

THE essence of sports is winning through fair play.

Sadly, some competitions in the Southeast Asian Games currently happening in Phnom Penh, Cambodia is not the best example of this notion.

The Filipino coaches raised a video protest.

For nearly an hour they were pleading their case and insisted on getting the point. Some of the technical committee members, composed mainly of Vietnamese, of course, didn’t budge.

But the coaches, claiming any martial artist worth his salt know it was a scoring punch.

Philippines’ video protest and a succeeding formal written protest.

And here’s the catch.

The gold was awarded to the Vietnamese via raffle draw.

Sheer luck.

would overlap; that is, state coastal baselines are less than 400 nmi (740 km) apart.

When an overlap occurs, it is up to the states to delineate the actual maritime boundary.

Generally, any point within an overlapping area defaults to the nearest state.

A state’s EEZ starts at the seaward edge of its territorial sea and extends outward to a distance of 200 nmi (370 km) from the baseline.

The EEZ stretches much farther into sea than the territorial waters, which end at 12 nmi (22 km) from the coastal baseline (if following the rules set out in the UNCLOS.

Thus, the EEZ includes the contiguous zone.

States also have rights to the seabed of what is called the continental shelf up to 350 nmi (650 km) from the coastal baseline, beyond the EEZ but such areas are not part of their EEZ.

The legal definition of the continental shelf does not directly correspond to the geological meaning of the term, as it also includes the continental rise and slope, and the entire seabed within the EEZ.

Countries that have no littoral right in the SCS should not be accorded the right/privilege to be a member or conduct navigation in the identified area.

They are considered geographically alien or intruder to the SCS. They have no littoral right to the sea, so to speak.

The insistence by the Philippines to ratify the Code of Conduct is rather misplaced.

First, the US is not a member of the ASEAN or is geographically located in the SCS.

Second, its claim of securing the territorial integrity and security of Taiwan is rather a political act of the US or an exercise of hegemony in this part of the globe.

Third, the Philippines has long become independent and is not obligated or duty-bound to defend a foreign county.

The Philippines’ position of insisting in giving equal rights and privileges to countries and foreign ships to exercise its code of conduct for navigation right inside the heartland of South China Sea is akin to giving them right authority to conduct, guide, and give direction to their navies to enjoy such right to enforce its own rules of navigation within the SCS.

Such would only intensity competition and exacerbate conflict among navies allowed to operate in the SCS.

Surely, the US navy or even of its allies from the West would never submit themselves to jurisdiction and be placed under the command of foreign navies indigenously allowed to operate in the SCS.

Our President is therefore advised to drop his grand ambition for a greater Code of Conduct for navies operating in the SCS.

Such ambition might just qualitatively be developed to one of a rules-based principle wholly advantageous to the US which many countries see as rather suspicious and laden with selfish motivations.

The young Marcos should never allow himself as subaltern promoting US hegemonism and unilateralism in guise of promoting peace, freedom and democracy.

The US, as it insists, conducts its foreign relations based on what it calls rules-based principles of international law.

US commitment to Taiwan will not bind the Philippines under EDCA nor such is allowed by the Constitution to have the bases leased or rented to foreign countries.

Moreover, our country’s seemingly closer ties with the US now may destabilize the ASEAN as it could lead to polarization, and the pitting of US and China against each other.

The objective of ASEAN is to remain nonaligned.

BBM’s leaning on the US foreign policy will cause harm to the relationship between the Philippines and other ASEAN countries.

(rpkapunan@gmail.com)

One story that touched the hearts was that of a Filipina athlete who lost what could have been the Philippines’ first ever SEA Games gold in vovinam, a martial art sport that originated in Vietnam more than 70 years ago. Hergie Bacyadan, a former national wushu and boxing player, participated for the first time in vovinam, after learning and training in the sport for three months. She didn’t disappoint as she handily won her first match in the semifinals over a Thai foe. Then it was the final battle against a bet from powerhouse team Vietnam.

Using her sheer power and gifted fighting skills, Hergie matched up well with the Vietnamese and ended the bout, including the extra round at 6-6. But in the final seconds, there was a clear punch that should have been scored and made the difference in favor of Hergie.

THE reading during the Sixth Sunday of Easter, is taken from the Gospel of John, where Jesus assures His disciples that if they love Him, they will obey His commandments.

This statement highlights the inseparable connection between love for Jesus and obedience to His commandments.

Jesus is expressing that genuine love for Him is intimately linked to obedience to His teachings. It implies that love for Jesus should manifest itself through the disciples’ actions and adherence to His instructions.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus promises to ask the Father to send them the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will be with them always.

Jesus also promises to reveal Himself to those who love Him and keep His word, assuring them of the Father’s love and their eternal dwelling with Him.

During the 40 days between His Resurrection and Ascension, Jesus gradually prepares His disciples for His departure.

He helps them understand that His presence will not be the same as before. Although He will always be with them, even until the end of time, He will not physically be by their side to guide them or converse with them face-to-face.

However, God, through the Holy Spirit, will make Jesus Christ present in a new way.

This is the essence of the Easter Season, leading up to Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is not merely the 50th day of celebrating Jesus’ Resurrection; it signifies the culmination of the Easter Season.

Pentecost represents the joyous celebration of the Holy Spirit’s manifestation, making Jesus present in the world in a new way— through the Church.

The Gospel reading reminds us that God is always with us, caring for us, regardless of our circumstances or location.

In the Gospel, Jesus reassures us that He has not abandoned us but has sent the Holy Spirit to be our eternal companion.

The promise of the Holy Spirit is

When the Vietnamese coach was called, he claimed there was a counter punch that should be scored for his wars.

In an instant, the committee heard and agreed with him, even if it looked like it was just a glancing blow--and a committee member also said it was a blow by the palm.

Both are not scoring hits.

In the end, the committee denied the significant, as Jesus assures His disciples that the Spirit will remain with them forever. or destroyed by distance or death. In fact, the Church extends beyond those currently living on earth (the Church Militant) and encompasses those in Purgatory (the Church Suffering) and Heaven (the Church Triumphant).

Everyone in the venue cheered the Filipino, knowing she should have won. The Philippines did not take it sitting down as they pursued the case. Again, they were denied.

Other participating counties also complained of the inefficient scoring of referees and judges.

Thailand said it will not allow unfair judging when they turn host in the next SEA Games in 2025.

Vietnamese officials of the sport are trying to grow and propagate the sport of vovinam globally.

It should begin with a more efficient scoring system to prevent misjudgment and perception of favoritism so that other countries can be lured to join.

Athletes train for long hours with sweat and blood.

It would be a big injustice to let them lose due to incompetence -- if not undue bias-- of officials.

A gold medal should be won in the battlefield fair and square.

This gospel emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. The Spirit serves as a guide and empowers us to live out our faith, keeping us connected to Christ.

The promise of the Holy Spirit and the revelation of Jesus to those who love Him are interconnected.

The Holy Spirit serves as the bridge between Jesus and His disciples, making their connection and relationship with Him possible.

The Spirit’s presence empowers believers to love and obey Jesus, facilitating a genuine experience of His presence and the Father’s love.

Even more challenging than physical barriers are the divisions among us. The Holy Spirit helps us love others, even when it seems difficult.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can love others as God the Father loves them, inviting them into His embrace in Heaven.

If we were to encounter our worst enemy at the gates of Heaven, would we refuse to enter due to our lack of love for them? Is our animosity stronger than our desire to be with God?

Likewise, the Holy Spirit empowers us to love others as God the Son loves them.

Specifically, the Spirit helps us love others as Jesus did on Good Friday when He willingly endured crucifixion out of love for all humanity.

This promise of the Holy Spirit and the revelation of Jesus holds great significance for Christians.

It assures them that they are not alone in their journey of faith.

The Holy Spirit, as the Advocate, provides guidance, wisdom, and strength to navigate life’s challenges and remain faithful to Christ’s teachings.

The revelation of Jesus brings comfort and assurance of His love, assuring believers that they are known and cherished by the divine.

Similar to how ligaments hold our physical bodies together, the Holy Spirit binds us together, making us one body in Christ.

Even when physically separated from our loved ones, or when faced with death, the Holy Spirit sustains our relationships.

The Body of Christ cannot be diminished