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In the Philippines, gold is not basketball. It does not make an audience curse on TV and patiently wait who conquers the holes in the least number of strokes. Not in the Philippines anyway. But when Dorothy Delasin made a classy victory at the 2000 Grand Eagle Classic in the Ladies Professional Golf Association, golf makes itself a part of the Filipino sporting mind-map.
Indeed, Dorothy has changed the way some of us in this country look at this quite passive game, for a spectator anyway. Not only because she is an excellent player but because this lady is - a Filipino.
 At nineteen, Dorothy made history for advancing as the youngest LPGA winner in 25 years. Her breakthrough was also made significant by the fact that it was her debut to the professional ranks. Against her were the celebrated South Korean Se Ri Pak and Pat Hurst, a gold veteran. The odds were very formidable for Dorothy but this young Fil-Am knew that if she did her best, it didn't matter whether she would win or not. This made all the difference. True to her promise, Dorothy never wavered. Even when she lagged behind by four strokes from the game leaders, she made consistent strokes and eventually tamed Hurst whose previous performances were fabled.
When the LGPA victory became clear, she embraced her caddy - who happens to be her father - Arsenio. That poignant scene, appropriately captured in a picture, found itself in newspapers here and abroad and captured the hearts of the Filipino as well.
This year, to prove that hers was not an overnight fame, she once again prevailed in the 2001 Giant Eagle LPGA Classic. Just like the previous year she was trailing the leader Se Ri Pak by four shots. But just like in the last two or three minutes in a basketball game, a four-stroke difference does not assure victory. The game is still anybody's until the last putt is made. Delasin finished with a 54-hole total of 13-under 203, chalking up a career best round of seven under par 65. She beat 1997 winner Tammie Green and 1998 winner SE Ri Pak by one and two strokes respectively.
Delasin epitomizes the indomitable spirit of an athlete. Philippine Sports Commission Butch Tuason calls her the "Filipino fighting spirit shining through," adding that the Filipino will always have the determination to handle the toughest of situations. In these hard times, the kind of determination Delasin displayed to achieve her goal proffers an inspiration for her countrymen," Tuason eulogizes.
Delasin is more than the accolades afforded her. She is the Filipino fighting spirit itself braving the challenges our times and generation face. Her example will always remind us that amidst all the crises, if we do our best, nothing can be between us from victory.
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