My #50preciouswords entry this year is inspired by Carlo Paalam, a men’s flyweight boxer from the Philippines who won the Silver Medal during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. His story touched my heart and reminded me of similar endeavors as a young girl with my Lola.
FROM SCAVENGER TO SILVER MEDALIST
By
Christine Alemshah
[WC: 50, MG]
The air buzzed.
Music blasted.
Crowds cheered.
But Carlo Paalam’s razor-sharp eyes focused on one thing:
his Olympic silver medal,
melded from recycled gadgets —
an ode to his former life as a scavenger.
With parries,
punches,
and perseverance,
Carlo freed his family from poverty.
And proved no dream is impossible.