MANILA — Senator Joel Villanueva has initiated a resolution urging commendation for the bronze medal achievement of Alas Pilipinas in the recent 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup held in Manila from May 22-29.

In Senate Resolution No. 1042, Villanueva underscored the historic significance of Alas Pilipinas’ success, marking the nation’s inaugural podium finish since its AVC inception in 1961.

“Despite their brief preparation period, Alas Pilipinas demonstrated exceptional talent, passion, and resilience throughout the arduous week-long tournament, securing victories in all but one of their matches on the path to claiming the bronze medal,” expressed the senator.

“This triumph is a testament to their diligence, dedication, and unwavering spirit, exhibited by our athletes, coaches, and the entire support team,” Villanueva added.

Leading Alas Pilipinas is team captain Julia Melissa Morado-De Guzman, alongside notable players Cherry Ann Rondina, Eya Laure, Vanessa Gandler, Faith Janine Shirley Nisperos, Angel Anne Canino, Arah Ellah Panique, Thea Allison Gagate, Mereophe Aevangeline Sharma, Dell Palomata, Cherry Rose Nunag, Julia Cyrille Coronel, Dawn Nicole Macandili-Catindig, and Jennifer Nierva.

Meanwhile, the coaching staff comprises head coach Jorge Souza de Brito and assistant coaches Ed Ortega and Ronwald Dimaculangan.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano also extended congratulations to Alas Pilipinas despite their loss to Kazakhstan in the semifinals.

“I salute Alas Pilipinas for bringing honor to the country, joy to the volleyball community, and fostering unity among Filipinos,” remarked Cayetano, the chairperson emeritus of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.

He also voiced support for the upcoming participation of the Alas Pilipinas Men’s National Volleyball Team in Bahrain next month.

National Artist Eddie Romero

In a separate development, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has submitted a resolution commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of national artist for film and acclaimed director Eddie Romero.

Romero, renowned for his contributions to Philippine cinema as a director, producer, and screenwriter, crafted thought-provoking masterpieces exploring the nation’s history and politics.

“The enduring legacy of Romero as a prolific writer and visionary artist warrants acknowledgment and celebration, especially on July 7, 2024, marking the centennial of his birth,” stated Estrada in Senate Resolution 1039.

A stalwart in Philippine cinema, Romero’s oeuvre includes celebrated works such as “Ganito Kami Noon… Paano Kayo Ngayon?,” “Kamakalawa,” “Banta ng Kahapon,” and the seminal 13-part series “Noli Me Tangere,” which reintroduced national hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel to contemporary audiences.

Born on July 7, 1924, Romero was conferred the title of National Artist in 2023.

Romero, whose cinematic journey began in the 1940s amidst the Philippines’ post-World War II recovery, passed away on May 28, 2013, at the age of 88.

His 1980 film “Agila,” both written and directed by Romero, stands as a monumental achievement in Philippine cinema history, garnering numerous FAMAS Awards and Gawad Urian Awards that year.

Romero’s films, as cited in his National Artist citation, “embrace a distinctly simple yet profound style – minimalist yet never devoid of substance, always deliberate, precise, and functional, yet never predictable.”

(el Amigo/MNM)