During the 9th PGAA S.TY International Gymnastics Cup last weekend, a total of 749 gymnasts from all over the Philippines and across Asia gathered at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex to take part in potentially the biggest international gymnastics meet in the country.

The three-day event saw gymnastics clubs from Davao, Ifugao, Cebu, Antipolo, Bataan, Bulacan, Bicol, Nueva Ecija, Bacolod, and Muntinlupa City shine bright against a competitive pool of athletes from Indonesia, Hongkong, Vietnam, and India. 

In a conversation with Normita ‘Boots’ Ty, the tournament’s head convenor and the founder of PGAA S.TY Sports Center, she talks about the power of developing the gymnastics culture in the regions, and why investing in the grassroots programs in talent-rich but equipment-deprived areas improve the overall state of gymnastics in the Philippines. 

ON PGAA S.TY’S OBJECTIVE OF BRINGING MORE ATHLETES FROM REGIONS
Every year, meron kaming goal. This year, the goal was to give chances to the provinces here in the Philippines to come so that they will be able to experience this, at least. So the thrust of the tournament this year is to bring in those who want to experience and see the community of gymnastics. 
We have competitors from Ifugao, Davao, Bulacan, Bataan, Bicol, and more. Magandang opportunity yan, because this is a developmental kind of competition for beginners na ina-adopt actually ng Australia para makarating ng Olympics. 

It's attainable. Even if you don't have these kinds of equipment, it is still possible. 

ON THE CURRENT STATE OF GYMNASTICS IN THE REGIONS
At the moment, we can see developments. 

Especially– and I will be bragging about this– we are reaching out instead of them reaching out to us. Let us give them the chance. It is never too late. There are so many 3 year olds and 4 year olds in the Philippines. I'm so happy we brought them here, and they are so thankful, because honestly hirap sila, kasi walang funding. Pero nagawan ng paraan, natuloy. 

ON BOOSTING THE POTENTIAL OF ATHLETES
There is no doubt. Alam mo naman ang probinsya eh, kung lakas at lakas lang ang pag-uusapan. Everything is there, ang problema ay wala silang gamit. 

You look at the team of Quezon (Province), alam mo ang balance beam nila? Alam mo yung dos-por-dos na parang bench. Ang ganda ipakita, for people to realize that it is possible to begin that way para yung mga pwede at gusto mag-sponsor– mayayamang tao, LGUs, DepEd– magtulong-tulong ang communities. 

Kung pagalingan at pagalingan lang, at meron silang mga equipment– NCR will have a run for their money. Sigurado ako diyan. Why? Ang Pilipino may talent, may beauty, may rhythm. We love to dance, to sing. Sana mabigyan sila ng fair grounds, that is why PGAA brought them here in this competition. 

ON ENCOURAGING REGIONAL CLUBS TO PARTICIPATE
Ninth year na namin (S.TY Cup) ito and siguro may mileage na ako because I have a 40-year experience in myself as a coach, so most of them know me. I go to the Palarong Pambansa. I've been the coach of the national rhythmic team for 29 years. I gave seminars all over the Philippines when I was younger. I hop from one place to another so I can help them. 

So walang struggle. I just have to explain to them kasi minsan takot sila na they’re gonna spend money, but what do you get? So I explain to them–  me as a head coach and as an owner of a club, I know the plights of gymnastics eh. I've been coaching for 40 years. So I want them to experience what we wanted to experience before. Now that we have a place or a venue, diba? Here in this competition we have the best clubs in the Philippines.

And I mean, the competitors here are really gearing towards being champions of the Palaro, some are even Palaro champions. Some are competing in Hongkong, Thailand, Singapore. It's a good place for them to realize, and for the LGUs to realize that it is possible.