Hi my name is Cliff Parks, Co-Head Gymnastics Coach at Leading Edge Gymnastics Academy in Everett WA. I also coach for the Philippine National Gymnastics Team, who my daughter Mya competes for! I've had the honor to represent the Philippines in the last Asian Championships, and South East Asian Games.
Since then, all of us in the gymnastics community have been struck hard with Covid-19 closures. The Philippines has endured some of the worst of it with gymnastic clubs still being closed! Sadly their athletes have not stepped foot in a gym in almost 8 months. Of course, these closures also create an economic ripple effect of adversities experienced by Philippine coaches and their families. The impact on my good friend, and fellow Philipinne National Team Coach Van Talingting, Head Coach of Club Gymnastica Pasig, has been especially difficult. Coach Van has helped produce champions like Tammy DeGuzman and her daughter, Kaitlin DeGuzman, as well as reigning World Champion, Carlos Yulo.
Because of the Covid-related closure, his gym has taken a bad hit financially. This is made more serious because this gym has been the primary source of income to provide care for his brother Vener Talingting, who has Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease.
I'm appealing to our international gymnastics community for donations to help support Coach Van's brother, Vener, in order to continue his treatment. Vener needs to receive his treatment 3 times a week, and no longer has a reliable source of income to cover his treatment. 100% of our donations will help Vener recieve his treatments without interruption until he is eventually deemed well enough to undergo his kidney transplant.
As a global gymnastics community, we have always stood by our fellow teammates and coaches around the world. We are asking you to stand strong with the Philippine National Team, and Coach Van, by supporting his brother Vener today!
Any amount helps. We are so grateful!!
