Fil-Am to carry Olympic torch

The name ‘London 2012’ is photographed with the Olympic Rings in the background outside the press conference room at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in this 2009 file photo in Lausanne. AFP

A Filipino American cancer survivor from Atlanta was chosen as one of 8,000 people to carry the Olympic torch as it makes its way to London for the opening of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Rodolfo Sebastian Carlos, a thyroid cancer survivor, originally from Paranaque City, Philippines will carry the torch and “serve as an inspiration to the youth of his birth country, the Philippines, to keep on chasing after their dreams,” the Philippine Embassy announced last week.

“Mr. Carlos’ inspiring story as a cancer survivor and passion to share his knowledge of Filipino martial arts to others in the community indeed makes him a fitting candidate for this honored pursuit,” said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr.

Carlos, an employee at the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in Atlanta, Georgia, was selected by the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) as part of the committees “Moment to Shine” campaign. The campaign encouraged members of the public to nominate someone with best personal stories or who have made a real difference in their school or local community.

According to the Philippine Embassy, Carlos, who holds graduate degrees from Boston University and Cornell, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer shortly before starting work at IHG.

As the cancer weakened him, he gained strength by practicing Filipino Martial Arts (FMA). Since then, he’s defeated his cancer and with the help of his brother has been active promoting FMA and sharing their knowledge to various branches of the military, police, and community watch volunteers.

The embassy said that Carlos hopes to not only serve as an inspiration to the youth of the Philippines, but also “bring awareness to thyroid cancer and inspire fellow survivors to give support to those who are currently battling this disease; and, promote awareness of Filipino martial arts and a lifelong physical culture lifestyle of living strong.”

Carlos will be passing on the Olympic torch in Willenhall in the United Kingdom on June 30.

Four Other Pinoy Torchbearers

Carlos is among five other Filipino torchbearers. The others include: UK residents 19-year-old Steven Cheung, an Olympic Youth Ambassador for Waltham Forest and 30-year-old Reymund Enteria, an occupational therapist. The other two are from the Philippines: 29-year-old Joven Mallo, a sales and services Assistant at Crowne Plaza Manila, and 47-year-old Marcy Reyes, an executive housekeeper of Holiday Inn.