By CARRIE T. ASPA | 

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The first day is a wild one here in Subic Bay, as Philippine athletes harvested gold after gold after gold.

A total of five, in fact, as the day ended. The first one was from John ‘Rambo’ Chicano in men’s triathlon, followed by Kim Mangrobang in the women’s class. Then in women’s and men’s sepak takraw, and finally in online chess.

Adrenaline is still high even as the evening begins soothing weary muscles. So spectators drop by the Fun Zone in front of the Subic Gym where a fiesta of food and music entertain visitors, athletes, and SEA Games workers.

The Fun Zone features a Wii booth, a Milo hoop plaza, a bazaar of local souvenirs and pasalubongs, and food stalls.

Organizers thought of putting up the Fun Zone to provide people a place to relax and wind down after a hectic day. But tonight that purpose is defeated.

Grouped in tables, or queuing for food, people could not stop talking about how the local athletes fared. Or about how Olongapo’s hometown hero John “Rambo” made a record of Olympic standards today.

The amplified music of the band playing onstage does not drown the loud chatter of Pinoy pride.

In the street, people show off their selfies with the winning athletes.  They greet each other with fist bumps, hugs and joyous cries of “Yesss! Panalo!”

And there are a million self-congratulations: “Ang galing natin!” “Wagi ang Pinoy!” Everyone is a winner.

Even Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Amy Eisma is overwhelmed by the outcome of the day.

“I have no words for this,” she says. “We started the day with the first Philippine gold and I was already a very proud venue host for that. And then the news continue to arrive: we have another gold in triathlon, we have two more in sepak takraw, and  just when we were ready to call it a day, there’s another one in online chess. Five golds in Subic in just a day!”

The evening wears on. People would trickle back to their homes at last.

But we know that upon reaching home, they would still be talking about the games.  To share the good news to those who were not able to watch. And they would talk about the wins even as they lay down to rest.

Spirits are high in Subic today. Hearts are full. It would be difficult to find sleep.   ▼