18 November 2016 – Fifteen (15) players composed of seven girls and eight boys from the Philippine Taekwondo Juniors Team are participating in the 2016 World Taekwondo Junior Championships at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre in Burnaby, British Columbia. More than 800 players from 102 countries are competing in the tournament from November 16 to 20.
Congressman Manuel Monsour T. Del Rosario III of the First District of Makati, himself a 6th Dan black-belt, is heading the Philippine delegation. Cong. Del Rosario led the members of the Philippine team in paying a courtesy call and visit to the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver on November 15. Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer welcomed them to the Consulate and wished them well on the competition.
The members of the Juniors team, aged between 15 to 17 years, have been chosen from all over the Philippines, many of whom are medalists from the Palarong Pambansa competitions. They have won a number of national and international competitions before coming to Canada.
Congressman Del Rosario said that the Filipino players will face tough competition from erstwhile favorite Korea and bigger players from other countries, but remains hopeful about the chances of the team. Consul General Ferrer has encouraged the Filipino-Canadian community to rally behind and support the Philippine team throughout the tournament.
The Philippine Team is composed of Dindo Simpao and Napoleon Dagdagan Jr, coaches, and the following players: Gabriel Lamarca, Raymundo Alombro III, Carlo Dionisio, Gian Gutierrez, Harley Santos, Sal Luigi Estrada, Gabriel Soria, Alvaro Aranton, Ezra Balingit, Abigail Valdez, Veronica Garces, Jessica Lanabal, Beatrice Gaerlan, Florence Mae Chavez and Laila Delo. END
