The Philippine Senate recently formally commended Mindanaoan Francis Casey “Niño” Alcantara, the first Filipino Australian Open champ, via a resolution. Just this week, the senators unanimously adopted Senate Resolution Number 860 authored by Senator Pia Cayetano commending the country’s newest sports phenomenon. Alcantara recently nabbed the Junior Boys Doubles crown of the Australian Open Tennis Championships. Alcantara played alongside partner Cheng-Peng Hsiehtoi of Taiwan.

Alcantara, 17 years old, is a student of Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan University) in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao.

The son of a Bukidnon native (his mother Sarah is from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Mindanao), this young Mindanaoan is the very first Filipino to win a “Grand Slam” tennis tournament. * Nino, by the way, lost his father 6 years ago to cardiac arrest. *

“Niño’s hard work, dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship sets a good example and is an inspiration for the Filipino people,” Sen. Pia Cayetano said in her resolution.

“The distinction that Alcantara brings home is a source of national pride and inspiration for our people and our nation, especially the youth.”

Because of his recent Australian Open victory, Nino has raised his International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior rankings from No. 29 to No. 18. Plus what’s really very commendable is the fact that this Mindanaoan achieved this victory even while being a full-time senior high school student in Xavier University.

Nino is the only junior player in the world’s top 30 still in school. Amazing feat indeed!

CONGRATULATIONS NINO!

Below is the full text of Sen. Cayetano’s resolution, which she read before the chambers last February 3, 2009:

FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )

OF THE PHILIPPINES )

Second Regular Session )

S E N A T E

P.S. RES NO. 860

Introduced by SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO

A RESOLUTION

COMMENDING FRANCIS CASEY “NIÑO” ALCANTARA FOR BEING THE FIRST FILIPINO TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT (JUNIORS BOYS DOUBLES)

WHEREAS, Francis Casey “Niño” Alcantara, 17 years old, from Cagayan de Oro City, competed in the Australian Open Tennis Championships (Junior Boys Doubles) held last January 19 to February 1, 2009;

WHEREAS, the Australian Open is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments held every January in Melbourne, Australia, attracting the top tennis players all over the world;

WHEREAS, Alcantara made the country proud when he became the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam tennis tournament when he won the title for the Junior Boys Doubles in said Australian Open;

WHEREAS, Alcantara paired with 17-year-old Cheng-Peng Hsieh of Taiwan and together, they demolished Mikhal Biryukov of Russia and Yasutaka Uchiyama of Japan, 6-4, 6-2 to win the above-mentioned championship;

WHEREAS, Alcantara is the Philippines’ top-ranked junior player and is now No. 20 in the world in the 18-and-under circuit;

WHEREAS, Alcantara achieved this status even while being a full-time senior high school student in Xavier University, thus being the only junior player in the world’s top 30 still in school;

WHEREAS, his hard work, dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship sets a good example and is an inspiration for the Filipino people, especially the youth;

WHEREAS, this distinction that Alcantara brings home is a source of national pride and inspiration for our people and our nation, especially the youth.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that that the Senate of the Philippines commend Francis Casey “Niño” Alcantara for being the first Filipino to win the championship of the Australian Open Tennis Tournament (Junior Boys Doubles).

Adopted,

(signed)

PIA S. CAYETANO

Senator

All photos in this post were sent to Mindanaoan and are courtesy of the Office of Sen. Pia Cayetano

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