Transcript Interview with Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri by PTV4

I'm honored to be the Honorary Chairman of the Karate-do Foundation. I was nine years old when I first learned Karate-do. After two years, I shifted to Taekwondo.

My original sport was Karate. I credit my discipline and skills to Karate. It's like going full circle. Noong bata ako, I was into Karate and now I'm only returning what good I learned.

I hope na pagandahin pa nating mabuti. I congratulate them for doing very well. When I was tasked to lead the hosting of the SEA Games in 2019, I was very happy to be part of the team.

My two children, my 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son, are learning Taekwondo under Sensei David Lay. My kids are yellow belters and are excited to go up the next ranks. So I became active in martial arts because mga anak ko pumapasok sa kanila.

I learned na hindi pala kasama ang Karate sa Palarong Pambansa. Karate-do is present thoughout the country. May Karate clubs sa Davao, Bukidnon and Cebu. Marami din sa Manila. Kakausapin ko si (Secretary) Briones na sa next Palaro sa 2018, isama na natin ang Karate. It is one of the sports where we have medal standing in Palarong Pambansa.

Ngayon nga, sa 2017 SEA Games sa Malaysia, I will do whatever I can contribute to help makapanalo ng medals sa Kuala Lumpur.

Sana masweep natin ang 2019 with our hosting of the SEA Games.

Napakahirap. Yes, I'm honored to accept the challenge and responsibility of helping organize the SEA Games in 2019. Mabigat ang responsibilidad dahil kailangan nating ipagsama ang POC at PSC. May tampuhan sila. Gagamitan ko na lang ng ice cream diplomacy, gaya ng ginagawa ko sa Senado.

Mahalaga na magkaisa sa layunin, that we will hold the best ever games in the Philippines. The best hosting that we've ever had. In the 2019 SEA Games, we should ensure (the quality of) venues, sports facilities, hotels and other facilities. Sa bagay, may dalawang taon pa tayo.

Yes, I'm excited to go to Kuala Lumpur to see the 2017 Games.