The Philippines has had a bad habit of only believing in you once you make it. For a country enraptured by the underdog story, there’s only so much support going around. Where would Rocky be without Coach Mikey? Who would Daniel be without Mr. Miyagi? For a country so in love with rags-to-riches, why fixate on where they’re bound to be and not where they are now? But most importantly, athletes are more than just a means to an end.

Two-time Olympic and recent 20th Asian Games Gold Medalist Carlos Yulo can only ever celebrate his accomplishments so much without Filipino netizens reminding him of his troubles back home. 

In a feud with his mother, Angelica Porquiz-Yulo, over the mishandling of his prize winnings back in 2022, the story has never left the athlete’s rearview. On the other hand, Angelica Yulo has only benefited from their exchange. Currently sitting on 200,000 followers on Facebook, she utilizes her platform as an online seller and endorser for local brands and shops.

4 years later, and among the hundreds of comments, users still mention the issue, long after it eclipsed what should have been the memory of the Philippines’ first two-time Olympic Gold medalist. Spun into a story of an ungrateful child and a misunderstood Mother. Leveraging that sympathy into sales as she parades the goose that left and the golden egg she hid. 

The tragic passing of 21-year-old sophomore Chukwuemeka Divine Adili and 18-year-old incoming freshman Rene Baterbonia in April of 2026 had sparked mass interest and a call to action in the college traditions of Hazing and Student-Athlete Safety. 

What should have been a national wake-up call to the unsafe conditions and predatory nature of fraternization had instead been overshadowed in the public memory, with tragedy turned into capitalization of grief.

From reprints of the athlete’s old jerseys, commemorative t-shirts, to notebooks, fridge magnets, keychains, perfume, and photo albums sold at ₱2,000 featuring AI designs, a physical museum, and a store located right at the tombstone of the athlete. Taking advantage of the great local pride, Rovelyn Baterbonia, following the passing of her son, has used the opportunity to open a business. Garnering 1.5 million followers on Facebook but, most importantly, a collection of mixed reactions amongst the public eye. 

Many have stated that the business is morally okay, while others claim it to be disrespectful. What’s missed, however, in the discussions of morality is the systems in which a family can even consider turning their situation into one that’s financially beneficial to them. Considering that Rene Batterbonia was one of the leading talents of his generation and would most likely be a provider for his family given the athlete’s career track. Now, veering off path finds a family that has to find other ways to provide what was a huge financial facet of their plan moving forward. Batterbonia had become a goose, and the story of the golden egg it never laid overcame the goose itself. 

On September 16th, Senator Erwin Tulfo made headlines as he recommended the Government assist rising Filipina star Alex Eala in paying a $10,000 fine. To an equivalent of ₱624,965 – many criticized the statement with ongoing calls for Government action and aid amidst the country's many issues. 

The move was to politically bolster Senator Erwin Tulfo’s political image. With the general public reception of Alex Eala being completely positive, leveraging the disadvantage the star athlete was facing in order to gain face with the public was almost immediately called out. 

Tulfos who have capitalized on the Filipino tendency to vote for TV personalities. Tulfos who have had a long history in the media limelight as anchors and radio show hosts. The most recent example of a Goose. Presented as hapless and to be saved by a folk hero.

Aesop’s Fable of the Goose and the Golden Egg teaches readers that what can assuredly provide for us day to day must be nurtured, and cannot be rushed. That the apparent value of something cannot be deconstructed or retooled. For once the countryman opened up the Goose, they only found that it didn’t differ from any other Goose.

In support of athletes and the growth of sports as a community in the Philippines is something that takes effort. Genuine love and a disregard for potential personal gain. To reach the heights of nations that turn athletes into champions, you have to have a strong foundational support system that allows players to be seen, supported, and provided a chance to shine. The countryman had only ever thought to bring the eggs to market, but never thought to move the Goose to nest in a farm.

“Those who have plenty want more and so lose all they have” 

-Aesop