After triumph in Paris, Tolentino pushes for 'House of POC' anew | ABS-CBN
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After triumph in Paris, Tolentino pushes for 'House of POC' anew
After triumph in Paris, Tolentino pushes for 'House of POC' anew
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 17, 2024 01:39 PM PHT

President Ferdinand R. Marcos poses with Philippine Olympic delegation head Bambol Tolentino during the Philippine Olympic team's courtesy call at Malacanang Palace on August 13, 2024. Yummie Dingding, PPA poolMANILA -- There remains a need for a "home" for the Philippine Olympic Committee that can also house a museum for the country's sporting memorabilia, its chief said on Friday.

POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said in a media forum that the POC "still needs to have its own home" where the achievements of Filipino athletes can be immortalized.
POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said in a media forum that the POC "still needs to have its own home" where the achievements of Filipino athletes can be immortalized.
"My vision about the House of POC includes a museum where the memorabilia of our great athletes, including those of Caloy [Carlos Yulo] and Hidilyn [Diaz-Naranjo], could be viewed by Filipinos," Tolentino said.
"My vision about the House of POC includes a museum where the memorabilia of our great athletes, including those of Caloy [Carlos Yulo] and Hidilyn [Diaz-Naranjo], could be viewed by Filipinos," Tolentino said.
Tolentino first advocated for a House of POC after the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where iconic weightlifter Diaz-Naranjo won the country's first-ever gold medal, while boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam also got silvers and Eumir Felix Marcia bagged bronze.
Tolentino first advocated for a House of POC after the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where iconic weightlifter Diaz-Naranjo won the country's first-ever gold medal, while boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam also got silvers and Eumir Felix Marcia bagged bronze.
He sought Malacañang's help then for the project which he recommended to be within the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex, but his request was shelved.
He sought Malacañang's help then for the project which he recommended to be within the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex, but his request was shelved.
"It would be ideal for the House of POC to be close to the airport for accessibility of foreign sports dignitaries who will come for official functions or for a visit," said Tolentino.
"It would be ideal for the House of POC to be close to the airport for accessibility of foreign sports dignitaries who will come for official functions or for a visit," said Tolentino.
Tolentino said he already aired his request to President Ferdinand R. Marcos during the welcome dinner for the Filipino Olympians from Paris led by double gold medalist gymnast Carlos Yulo on Tuesday night in Malacañang.
Tolentino said he already aired his request to President Ferdinand R. Marcos during the welcome dinner for the Filipino Olympians from Paris led by double gold medalist gymnast Carlos Yulo on Tuesday night in Malacañang.
"The President was receptive to the proposal and I'm hopeful our vision would be realized this time," he said.
"The President was receptive to the proposal and I'm hopeful our vision would be realized this time," he said.
The POC, for the longest time since the country started participating in the Olympics in 1924 in Paris, doesn't have its own permanent office or headquarters.
The POC, for the longest time since the country started participating in the Olympics in 1924 in Paris, doesn't have its own permanent office or headquarters.
"Call it pathetic but after a hundred years in the Olympics, we still don't have a house of our own," he said. "Timor Leste, the smallest among Southeast Asian countries, in fact, has a national Olympic committee headquarters complete with all amenities … the works."
"Call it pathetic but after a hundred years in the Olympics, we still don't have a house of our own," he said. "Timor Leste, the smallest among Southeast Asian countries, in fact, has a national Olympic committee headquarters complete with all amenities … the works."
By amenities, Tolentino meant a museum, multi-purpose hall, office rooms, gym and even a laboratory.
By amenities, Tolentino meant a museum, multi-purpose hall, office rooms, gym and even a laboratory.
The POC has held a small office at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for decades before transferring to the PhilSports Complex (formerly Ultra) which is controlled by the Department of Education.
The POC has held a small office at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for decades before transferring to the PhilSports Complex (formerly Ultra) which is controlled by the Department of Education.
"Many don't even know that there's a POC office at the DepEd complex in Pasig," Tolentino said.
"Many don't even know that there's a POC office at the DepEd complex in Pasig," Tolentino said.
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