Still fighting: Typhoon-hit Catanduanes soldiers on in Batang Pinoy

PALAWAN, Philippines – With their hometown hit by a string of calamities, members of the small but motivated Catanduanes delegation still aim to make their mark in the 2024 Batang Pinoy competition.

Five student-athletes — four boxers and one track and field bet — vie to do their best to uplift a community battered by recent typhoons.

“We are more inspired to represent our island and show something [good],”  Catanduanes delegation head Edwin Gianan said in Filipino.

“We want to go out and participate since we want to show the whole country that even though we were hit by typhoon, we’re still here to fight,” he added.

Catanduanes trackster Jireh Alcantara had to literally hurdle over toppled trees strewn on highways just to make it to the provincial capital Virac.

With many towns in the northern part affected, Gianan rallied his athletes and decided to push through the grassroots tournament in Puerto Princesa from November 24 to 28. 

“I hesitated whether we were pushing through to play, but I told my team to continue competing,” said Gianan.

According to reports, Catanduanes was among the hardest hit provinces, with around 4,000 houses damaged.

Eleven out of 16 Catanduanes municipalities were also affected by Super Typhoon Pepito, which first made landfall in the municipality of Panganiban last November 16. 

“We want to give hope to our fellow Catanduanes residents since there is widespread damage,” said Gianan. “This is what we could give right now — fighting using our talent.” – Rappler.com