SEA Games Gold medalist Francine Padios eyes 19th World Championship

KALIBO, Aklan- Francine Padios, an 18-year-old SEA Games Gold Medalist is eyeing the 19th World Pencak Silat Championship to be held July 26-31 in Malaysia this year.

In a press conference at the Starglow Center for Academic and Arts here, Padios said that she went home to take a brief respite. Padios, considered as the youngest gold medalist at the SEA Games was welcomed by her family, classmates and friends at the Kalibo International Airport Thursday noon.

She then proceeded with a motorcade having courtesy calls with Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores and Kalibo Mayor Emerson Lachica.

“All of my allowances and the P300,000 incentives will be going to my dad who is in comatose right now at the Iloilo Medical City. I am asking everyone who have money to spare to help me to pay for the hospital bills which has alreadyr eached millions of pesos,” she told the local media here.”, Francine said.

Padios’ father, Atty Jerome Padios, suffered in a freak car accident on December 23, 2021, at the height of Padios’ training. Unknown to many, her father has been serving as an urban poor lawyer for many poor residents in Boracay.

Padios won the gold medal recently in 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam in the field of Pencak Silat. She defeated the pencak silat player in Indonesia known as the powerhouse of Pencak Silat.

Freddie Jizmundo Sr., her mentor, said also during the press conference that Padios has tried to quit her training upon learning of her father’s ordeal.

“It was a divine intervention. I decided to visit Padios’ home at Barangay Old Buswang out of nowhere. As soon as I reached their home, Francine called her mom asking if she could quit. Right there, I advised her not to quit and finish what she started,” Jizmundo said.

Helena Golez, Starglow Directress said that Padios was exceptional in her school since despite her rigid training, she was able to still hold online classes and do her academic work.

Padios is a graduating student of Starglow.

“The school is supportive of in all the endeavors of our students. Padios knew that we had a strict standard that we should follow, and she did it well. We are proud of her,” said Golez.

Ronald So, a sports psychologist affiliated with the Philippine Sports Commission said in a separate interview that she considered it laudable for Padios to win the gold medal especially since it is her great comeback from a Silver finish during the 30th SEA Games, Padios is considered to have a home court advantage given that the Philippines hosted the 30th SEA Games.

“Padios underwent several disruptions and challenges to which includes not only the car accident of her dad but also the COVID-19 pandemic which really affected her preparations and routines. But one thing that is very evident is that in-spite and despite these disruptions, Francine is very focused and gave her very best, not only for herself but for her family and our beloved country,” he said.