Philippines takes Top Prize at the 2022 Mr & Ms Olympia

Most of you are probably wondering who it was. To your knowledge, Joven Sagabain was the only Filipino at this year's Olympia. Well, you're incorrect. Does the name Maureen Blanquisco sound familiar?

Unbeknownst to many Filipinos that follow bodybuilding, Maureen won the gold in the bikini category, THE GOLD. She won the highest award in the very category that 90% of our competitive female bodybuilders compete in but why are we not celebrating this massive achievement? Is it because she doesn't live in the Philippines? Does this make her less Filipino?

Someone commented that she is "Filipina by blood but not by heart" because she chose to represent the country where she lives. As a balikbayan that currently lives in the Philippines but was raised in North America most of my life, I'm absolutely insulted by this close-minded way of thinking.

Am I less Filipino because I lived in North America?

Is Jeremy Buendia less Filipino because he lives in California?

Is Maureen Blanquisco less Filipina because she choose to reside in the U.S?

There's a famous saying, "home is where the heart is" and I think I speak for ALL Filipinos that live outside of the Philippines, WE ARE 100% TRUE FILIPINOS. Most of us didn't have the choice to stay in the Philippines. It was our parents who had decided to sacrifice the comfort and safety of the Philippines to move to another country in hopes for a better life. Should we be condemned for their decision? And what about those who left the Philippines to seek out further opportunities to build their future, are we condemning them as well?

Congratulations to Maureen Blanquisco, Jonas Jamena, Jeremy Potvin, Jeremy Buendia, Joven Sagabain, and ALL Filipinos that recently or previously competed in the Olympia, representing their country of residence AND our motherland, the Philippines. No matter if a Filipino resides in the Philippines or another country, they will always remain Filipino by heart and we should be proud of them ALL.