Image: Instagram/@jedmadelaofficial
2005 World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) Grand Champion and Hall of Famer Jed Madela unleashed his anger on social media after an unpleasant experience at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on Wednesday, July 25.
Earlier Madela and the delegates from WCOPA Team Philippines flew to Long Beach, California, in the United States in the first week of July for the annual international competition.
The young delegates’ hard work blossomed into sweet victory as their performances won almost 300 medals in the prestigious bout, and were just about the epitome of Pinoy pride.
Madela kept their fans updated on Twitter regarding their latest goings-on, and after about two weeks of being away for the WCOPA, the team and Madela finally made it home in Manila on Wednesday.
But it seems their victory was momentarily dampened when Madela revealed on his Twitter that the delegates’ luggage were broken into and their valuables and pasalubong stolen.
“Yes, we are back home! And we are happy! Except for one thing,” Madela wrote. “Whoever broke into the luggages [sic] of our delegates and stole their ‘pasalubongs’ for their families, SHAME ON YOU!”
Yes, we are back home! And we are happy!
Except for one thing. Whoever broke into the luggages of our delegates and stole their “pasalubongs” for their families, SHAME ON YOU!— jedmadela ⁷ (@jedmadela) July 25, 2018
Madela shared that even though the delegates’ barely had enough on their own, they still saved their money just so they can buy treats and gifts for their loved ones back home.
“These kids barely have enough at tinabi nila pera nila para mabilhan [ng] pasalubong mga mahal nila sa buhay dito sa Pinas,” Madela continued to write. “Tapos nanakawin lang sa airport. Nakakahiya. I don’t know how these people can do such a heartless thing.”
These kids barely have enough at tinabi nila pera nila para mabilhan nga pasalubong mga mahal nila sa buhay dito sa Pinas. Tapos nanakawin lang sa airport. Nakakahiya. I don’t know how these people can do such a heartless thing.
— jedmadela ⁷ (@jedmadela) July 25, 2018
Madela also said in another tweet that the locks in the delegates’ luggage were found broken. “Bagahe ng ilang delegates sira na ang lock at madami na nawala sa mga laman.”
Oo. Bagahe ng ilang delegates sira na ang lock at madami na nawala sa mga laman. https://t.co/yIKVB6HcVs
— jedmadela ⁷ (@jedmadela) July 25, 2018
Madela wondered out loud, too, about what the thieves could be thinking after doing such a heinous thing.
“Ano kaya ang nasa isip ng mga magnanakaw na kumuha ng mga pasalubong ng mga delegates sa maleta nila?” Madela said. “Gamit gamit na kaya nila ngayon? Di kaya sila nako-konsensya?”
Ano kaya ang nasa isip ng mga magnanakaw na kumuha ng mga pasalubong ng mga delegates sa maleta nila? Gamit gamit na kaya nila ngayon? Di kaya sila nako-konsensya?
— jedmadela ⁷ (@jedmadela) July 26, 2018
Madela also issued a warning to the thieves on Thursday, July 26, and told them to prepare themselves. “Naku. Humanda na kayo diyan. Kung sino man kayo ang nagnakaw dun, good luck nalang sa inyo.”
Okay. So, the news is now picking up the story about what happened at the airport. Naku. Humanda na kayo dyan. Kung sino man kayo ang nagnakaw dun, good luck na lang sa inyo.
— jedmadela ⁷ (@jedmadela) July 26, 2018
Meanwhile, the WCOPA Team Philippines shared in their Facebook page on the same day, July 26, a video of their delegates’ arrival in Manila. Despite having some of their valuables stolen, the delegates waved and smiled for the cameras while wearing their medals, looking happy and proud for having represented the country well. /ra
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