00:00The best part of having this interview experience especially, I've heard that you've given to these young gymnasts.
00:06I would definitely say meeting the young gymnasts and getting to talk to them and getting to know them.
00:12And also just being able to give them some of my videos.
00:15It was just really exciting to be able to finally give back something to the Olympic community
00:20because they've given me so much and they've poured so much into me.
00:24The PSC, the PSC, President Cynthia, just everyone's been so generous with me.
00:31So finally being able to give, even if it's just tiny, something back to them.
00:35And feeling the support and the energy in their room was just amazing.
00:39What was the best part from this very short video for you?
00:44I unfortunately did not get to see almost anything in the Philippines other than driving around and going to different events.
00:51But I have to say just the way everyone was so welcoming.
00:56And I feel like there's a very predominant culture in the Philippines where everyone's very supportive of one another.
01:03Someone's always willing to help out.
01:07And I feel like that's something that's very unique about the Philippines and the Filipino people.
01:12So just the generosity, the kindness, the respect to which each person speaks to one another means a lot to me.
01:19And I've noticed that since I got here.
01:22So what does this mean to you?
01:24Most especially, you're carrying a responsibility.
01:26Or do you take it more as a pressure that the Filipino people are all eyes on you right now for the upcoming 2020 Olympics?
01:35Obviously, I always feel pressure, but that's kind of part of the sport.
01:39So I tend to try to use pressure and navigate in a way that helps me and helps motivate me.
01:44But at the same time, I feel the support of everyone.
01:48So it's a little bit of both, but there's always going to be that pressure there.
01:53So instead of viewing it as pressure, I do feel like it's the support of the community trying to get behind me and just wishing me the best.
02:01Everyone's sending their prayers.
02:03It's just so generous, and I really appreciate it.
02:06And it's really amazing to have so many supporters.
02:12Was it difficult for you, or did you have come to the point to decide on whether I will represent the USA, I will represent PHO?
02:19How did you decide on that?
02:21I always wanted to represent the Philippines since I was young.
02:24And I just had no bridge to connect with the Philippines because my Lolo came to the US.
02:32And we didn't have a connection to the gymnastics side of the Philippines.
02:38So once I was able to get in contact with someone connected to the Philippines Gymnastics Association,
02:45then immediately I wanted to switch over.
02:48And I was planning on exploring how to transition to the Philippines for the 2028 Olympics,
02:56but the opportunity was bigger than that.
02:59So the second the opportunity was there, I just thought, I have to do it.
03:04Are you already living your Olympic dreams, or is this just the start of your whole career?
03:10It's both. I feel that I am living my dream, qualifying to the Olympics,
03:14and it's something I've been thinking about since I was a baby.
03:17But at the same time, I'm really looking to the future and all the opportunities that are for me in the future.
03:22I'll be going to Stanford University in the fall,
03:25and there I'll be competing for Stanford as well as continuing to compete for the Philippines.
03:30I plan on doing a lot of international assignments next year for the Philippines.
03:34I'm really, really excited to do that, and the 2028 Olympics.
03:38So it just feels like the beginning of a long journey to me,
03:41and I just can't wait to continue to grow with the Philippines behind me.
03:45The countdown has already started. It feels like it's been starting since I was born.
03:50But it does feel like because the time is ticking down,
03:56it gives me more motivation to just know that there's only a few weeks left of the hard push,
04:01and I just have to get myself through that and do everything I can to give my all,
04:06because this is the time that matters. So that's what I'm going to do.
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