In a world stage if only to seemingly surprise everyone in disbelief, after the little-known underdog boxer Andy Ruiz Jr. convincingly defeated the heavy favorite unbeaten heavyweight champion of the world Anthony Joshua last June 1, the “given zero chance” underdog Toronto Raptors likewise defied the odds and proved their basketball IQ and prowess to be better than the defending NBA champions Golden State Warriors last June 14.
Yet before all these astonishments happening this June, we might as well borrow the Toronto Raptors’ tagline for some character-defining catchphrase, ‘We The North’, as “we the north” folks here in Baguio witnessed it first; a similar awakening after the May 13 local election. The deemed underdog, Ret. Gen. Benjamin Magalong convincingly won the mayoralty race against political bigwigs.
In a more familiar arena, Manila’s Isko Moreno unseated Erap Estrada. Whereas in Pasig, the 27-year reign of the Eusebios were similarly overturned by underdogs led by Vico Sotto. However, Baguio’s Mayor-elect Magalong exuded like that of Andy Ruiz Jr.’s deemed unwinnable frame. It was presumed that he was no-match for the outwardly chiseled experience of his “long-time politician” rivals. They undervalued the strength and will-power behind the nonpolitical guise much like how Ruiz didn’t appear to be anything close to a heavyweight boxing champion which he is now. Notwithstanding Ruiz’s victory likely celebrated as well being the first Mexican Heavyweight Champion, Magalong is to prove that it’s not about ethnicity but more on humanity...
Magalong as a newbie, it could be likened to the Toronto Raptors’ first trip to the finals. Though considered an underdog, should the Raptors win it, it was expected of them to have a hard time winning it down the stretch against the defending champions. Yet, on their way to winning the championship, they swept the Warriors in their home court, much like how Magalong won soundly against incumbents. Like how analysts’ assessments seemed to have dictated the odds against the Raptors, an assumed ratio dead set against Magalong emerging as winner were so high that opposing parties were bold enough to predict Magalong's non-winnability (and there were those who even upped the ante in favor of their candidate winning it against Magalong). With that over and done with, Magalong’s victory may as well represent much like the Raptors as a Canadian team with multiracial lineup (American, Cameroonian, Spaniard, Congolese, Taiwanese) winning in the NBA. It may as well outline Magalong’s call for unity.
For Ruiz and the Raptors though, they’ve proven their worth... Ruiz did it in 7 rounds. The Raptors won in 6 games. Magalong however has 3 years, at least, to answer “Why you?” To Magalong’s credit nonetheless, prior to the June 30 turnover even, he has already started proving his worth via unifying gestures through promising yet workable programs and plans for the betterment of Baguio... It is to initially answer that “Why you?” question. Because ‘why you?’ might as well be founded on “Y U” (Year of the Underdogs). Considering that among the opposition, his political rivals, his detractors, his doubters, et al., Magalong will always be an underdog to a “bigger name and agenda” they prefer... and Magalong will always be subjected to proving he’s more than an underdog.
As ‘One Baguio’, we have to prove that “We The North” amidst our multicultural background is one with the Mayor and fight as one for the betterment of Baguio because we are also “warriors”. We may be champions winning the election, yet we are still “underdogs” in proving our would-be worthwhile contribution against other “opposing heavyweight warriors”... Thus, as we join hands on June 30 as we “team up” with the likes of the “June underdogs” (Ruiz and the Raptors) in all of us, in hopefully reintroducing Baguio in a world stage, remember that this is our year, the Year of the Underdogs! Then ‘We The North’ should UNSELFISHLY WORK with Mayor Magalong like the champion (of hope and a better Baguio) that he is proving himself to be thus far...
Yet before all these astonishments happening this June, we might as well borrow the Toronto Raptors’ tagline for some character-defining catchphrase, ‘We The North’, as “we the north” folks here in Baguio witnessed it first; a similar awakening after the May 13 local election. The deemed underdog, Ret. Gen. Benjamin Magalong convincingly won the mayoralty race against political bigwigs.
In a more familiar arena, Manila’s Isko Moreno unseated Erap Estrada. Whereas in Pasig, the 27-year reign of the Eusebios were similarly overturned by underdogs led by Vico Sotto. However, Baguio’s Mayor-elect Magalong exuded like that of Andy Ruiz Jr.’s deemed unwinnable frame. It was presumed that he was no-match for the outwardly chiseled experience of his “long-time politician” rivals. They undervalued the strength and will-power behind the nonpolitical guise much like how Ruiz didn’t appear to be anything close to a heavyweight boxing champion which he is now. Notwithstanding Ruiz’s victory likely celebrated as well being the first Mexican Heavyweight Champion, Magalong is to prove that it’s not about ethnicity but more on humanity...
Magalong as a newbie, it could be likened to the Toronto Raptors’ first trip to the finals. Though considered an underdog, should the Raptors win it, it was expected of them to have a hard time winning it down the stretch against the defending champions. Yet, on their way to winning the championship, they swept the Warriors in their home court, much like how Magalong won soundly against incumbents. Like how analysts’ assessments seemed to have dictated the odds against the Raptors, an assumed ratio dead set against Magalong emerging as winner were so high that opposing parties were bold enough to predict Magalong's non-winnability (and there were those who even upped the ante in favor of their candidate winning it against Magalong). With that over and done with, Magalong’s victory may as well represent much like the Raptors as a Canadian team with multiracial lineup (American, Cameroonian, Spaniard, Congolese, Taiwanese) winning in the NBA. It may as well outline Magalong’s call for unity.
For Ruiz and the Raptors though, they’ve proven their worth... Ruiz did it in 7 rounds. The Raptors won in 6 games. Magalong however has 3 years, at least, to answer “Why you?” To Magalong’s credit nonetheless, prior to the June 30 turnover even, he has already started proving his worth via unifying gestures through promising yet workable programs and plans for the betterment of Baguio... It is to initially answer that “Why you?” question. Because ‘why you?’ might as well be founded on “Y U” (Year of the Underdogs). Considering that among the opposition, his political rivals, his detractors, his doubters, et al., Magalong will always be an underdog to a “bigger name and agenda” they prefer... and Magalong will always be subjected to proving he’s more than an underdog.
As ‘One Baguio’, we have to prove that “We The North” amidst our multicultural background is one with the Mayor and fight as one for the betterment of Baguio because we are also “warriors”. We may be champions winning the election, yet we are still “underdogs” in proving our would-be worthwhile contribution against other “opposing heavyweight warriors”... Thus, as we join hands on June 30 as we “team up” with the likes of the “June underdogs” (Ruiz and the Raptors) in all of us, in hopefully reintroducing Baguio in a world stage, remember that this is our year, the Year of the Underdogs! Then ‘We The North’ should UNSELFISHLY WORK with Mayor Magalong like the champion (of hope and a better Baguio) that he is proving himself to be thus far...