Uhh… yey?
ICYMI, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) was allegedly recognized as the ‘Best SEA Games Organizer’ by the Sports Industry Awards (SPIA) Asia.
This news was broken by the PH government’s very own, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) and went on to be shared by multiple publications.
Per PNA, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who also serves as PHISGOC chairman, received the honor from SPIA, which describes itself as ‘Asia’s leading sports business conference and awards platform’.
Cayetano’s official FB page, which live-streamed the event, seconded the nod, writing:
‘Thank you Sports Industry Awards (SPIA) Asia for awarding the 30th South East Asian Games as the best SEAG organizer.’
SPIA ASIA 2019: Recognition for sports personalities of the Year and Recognizing PHISGOC for its Outstanding Achievements in Organizing the best SEA Games Thank you Sports Industry Awards (SPIA) Asia for awarding the 30th South East Asian Games as the best SEAG organizer. The awarding was held during the SPIA conference held on December 3 at Grand Hyatt Manila. Speaker Cayetano was joined by CEO of SPIA Eric Gottschalk, Rep. Abraham Tolentino (POC Chair), PHISGOC COO Ramon Suzara, International Football Legend Ronaldo Nazario and USA Track and Field Olympian Dr. Edwin Moses. The SPIA Asia Awards is one of the very prestigious awards platform in Asia, focused on recognizing and celebrating the achievements of the Asian Sports Industry.Again Special Thanks to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for giving the go signal and making The Philippines Hosting of D 30th SEA Games Possible. Thank You PSC, POC and everyone who worked and is working to make this the biggest and best hosted SEA Games ever. GOD Bless The Philippines! #WeWinAsOne #2019SEAGames #PHforOne
Posted by Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Now, we’re all for supporting the glory of the country. We want the SEA Games to be seen as a success, more than anything, as it serves as a reflection of who we are as Filipinos.
But things just don’t add up.
People are on the fence with the nod’s credibility, considering that 2019’s SPIA Asia is supported by both the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines and PHISGOC itself.
Then there’s the question of the nod’s existence. As many have pointed out, no such award is currently listed on the SPIA Asia Awards website, going against the claim of both PNA and Cayetano’s official page. Further research shows that the recognition also didn’t exist in years prior.
And EVEN IF such an award existed, it would be futile to award PHISGOC as ‘Best Organizer’, considering that a) the SEA Games is still due to run for at least a full week and b) they will literally be the only candidate in the category.
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But why will u award best organizer if ndi pa tapos ung event na inorganize? What if (hoping not) may malaking aberya until closing, babawiin ba ung award? Does this mean past 29 SEA Games, eto ung best?! And sana kung ndi sponsored ng PH ung awards this year. ugh https://t.co/PH7x0bsnDm
— Yow (@j0w_sef) December 5, 2019
mutuals who liked this yesterday listen UPPP!!
1) there never existed a "Best SEA Games Organizer Award" ever until just now
2) Sports Industry Awards is sponsored by PHISGOC itself. ergo they gave themselves their own award.
the lowest is WHAT???? https://t.co/IfFGfDTQCf
— merry jegmas 🎄 (@diegs_valencia) December 5, 2019
u just made urselves desperate lol what the fuck is "Best SEA Games Organizer" sino ibang contenders, may time frame ba to, every 20 years? pakiklaro ng guidelines kasi this sounds bullshit to me https://t.co/IONAjcxPi8
— Jackie (@jackieserite) December 4, 2019
Congratulations PHISGOC for winning best SEAGames organizers over another Phisgoc sponsored by Phisgoc organized by Phisgoc #SEAGames2019fail https://t.co/8iZVxMjwLJ
— MGB (@mgb819) December 4, 2019
The Sports Industry Awards Asia named the Philippine Southeast Asia Games Organising Committee as the 'Best SEA Games organiser'.
It's only Day 4 of #SEAGames2019 and the committee is named best organiser? Am I missing something?https://t.co/Uw0QVqvsXp— Haresh Deol 🇲🇾 (@HareshDeol) December 4, 2019
It just doesn’t make sense
