Newsletter: Filipinos relish hard work behind Paris Olympic glory

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PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), in collaboration with Shangri-La Plaza, exclusively screened ‘Puso in Paris 2024’ at the newly renovated Red Carpet Cinema 1 in Mandaluyong for free. Produced by Smart Sports, the four-part documentary series looks into the training and other preparations of Filipino Olympians for the recently concluded Olympic Games Paris 2024.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to give Filipinos the real behind-the-scenes look at what our national athletes go through, what their mindset is, what they feel. And to be able understand those experiences to the result afterwards is really rewarding. We’re very proud of what our Paris Olympians have done,” said Jude Turcuato, FVP and Head of Sports at PLDT and Smart, and one of the executive producers of the series. “We would like to thank again Shangri-La Plaza for hosting the special screening of our Puso in Paris 2024 with the same goal of appreciating and honoring our Filipino sports heroes”, he added.

‘Puso in Paris 2024’ features Carlos Edriel Yulo, the country’s golden boy of gymnastics who headlined the Philippine campaign in Paris with two gold medals. The series also followed Paris bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas together with fellow boxers Carlos Paalam, Eumir Marcial and Hergie Bacyadan in their training a few months before the Olympics. Weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando and John Ceniza shared their stories as they build on the triumph of Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist. Asia’s top pole vault champion Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena also talked about his beginnings and his dedication to become one of the world’s elite athletes.

Jeanette Obiena, EJ Obiena’s mother, attended the screening together with EJ’s sister, Emily. She said she has witnessed her son’s perseverance to compete at the world’s biggest sports event, “With what EJ had done at the Paris Olympics, I know he had given his best and fought the good fight. I’m very, very proud of him for that.”

PLDT High Speed Hitter Kim Kianna Dy, who has donned the national colors in volleyball, was beaming with pride for our Paris Olympians after watching ‘Puso in Paris 2024’. “It’s a big honor to represent the country and it’s a dream of every athlete to be part of the national team or delegation. It’s been very inspiring to see how they prepared especially for something as big as the Olympics which is the highest level of competition. Just being a part of it, win or lose, is such a big achievement already,” she said.

The Smart Omega Empress esports team and the Smart Omega management also graced the special screening. Celebrated Filipino designer Francis Libiran, who created the ‘Sinag’ barong that Filipino Olympians wore at the opening ceremony of the Paris games, also watched ‘Puso in Paris 2024’ on the big screen.

Smart served as official broadcast partner of the Paris Olympics. Subscribers of all networks may download the Smart LiveStream App on Google Play Store and App Store to watch ‘Puso in Paris 2024’ as well as highlights of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 for free. ‘Puso in Paris 2024’ can also be viewed on Smart Sports and Puso Pilipinas official YouTube and Facebook pages.

Staunch supporters of sports development, companies led by PLDT and Smart Chairman and CEO Manuel V Pangilinan and the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) have launched many initiatives to help discover, develop, and train Filipino athletes and teams from the grassroots to collegiate, amateur, and professional levels. From basketball to boxing to esports and many others, the MVPSF and the MVP Group have been investing in and empowering 20 National Sports Associations, backing hundreds of athletes, and contributing to nation-building through sports development, fueling the Filipino dream of producing more Olympic gold medals for the Philippines.

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