SEA Games silver medalist asks OFWs' help in setting up break dancing fed

In behalf of her fellow athletes during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, silver medalist Debbie Mahinay is calling for financial support from overseas Filipino workers for the training of break dancers for future world competitions through setting up a federation.

Debbie Mahinay won silver medal during the first day of the SEA Games 2019.

Photos courtesy of Debbie Mahinay

“I would like to ask for help not only for me but for my fellow athletes. The financial support of the government isn’t enough for us,” Mahinay told GMA News online in an email interview last December.

“Until now, I’m still waiting for my allowance. We trained for the games at our own expense.

And not sure if I have incentives since breaking is new to SEA Games and Olympics,” she added.

Mahinay had learned to do break dance from her group, the "Critical Breakdown Crew."

“I learned it from the Critical Breakdown Crew. Almost 10 years na rin ako into break-dancing. I’ve joined battles internationally and won, but no recognition was given until the SEA Games.”

So while waiting for government support, Mahinay is going to establish a federation of break dancers in Bacolod “to train and give them the chance to compete and be part of the national team,” she said.

“Since breaking will be in the Olympics, first movement namin dito is to have free workshop every Friday. Then gonna talk to the officials for the support this January. Lots of potential breakers dito but don’t have enough money to continue their passion. And it’s hard for us to join competition kasi lahat ng opportunities ay nasa Manila.

“Like sa experience ko before the SEA Games, meron qualifying rounds sa Manila eh Bacolod ako so hard for me. I have to compete in March, July, and October kasi ito-total yung mga scores dun tapos kung sino yung magta-top 1, siya yung magre-represent sa SEA Games,” she said. —LBG, GMA News