MANILA, Philippines - Let me first say that I have never been a big sports fan. When I was growing up, it was my older sister Liaa who was into competitive bowling. Mikee was obsessed with equestrian. Mai Mai and China played football. I was, therefore, the unlikely choice to accompany my dad (José ?Peping? Cojuangco, Philippine Olympics Committee chair) to Beijing to attend the just-concluded Summer Games.

I have to admit I was a bit reluctant to leave my family behind and deal with the fear of in-flight turbulence. But, as soon as I got to Beijing, I knew it would be an experience I would treasure forever.

Item one on our agenda was to find Arthur and Rebecca, our liaison officers. They were English-speaking university students, our guides.

We then met up with our constant companions for the next 19 days, Steve Hontiveros and Art Macapagal.

Beijing was abuzz with activity as the opening ceremonies neared. The energy was infectious.

Once the games began, timetables were tight and schedules rigid, mostly because I wanted to watch everything? the Philippine athletes in trap, archery, swimming, diving and boxing. I didn?t want to miss the tennis and basketball, too.

I was so star-struck seeing so many athletes in various venues. I was so impressed with their dedication, focus and performance.

The whole experience ran like clockwork. Since I?m no athlete, this was all so new to me. I could feel the intensity in all the venues. The Olympic spirit permeated the proceedings.

We visited the Olympic Village where Team Philippines was billeted. Wow! It was an awesome complex. But why shouldn?t it be? The people staying there were the best athletes, along with their coaches, trainers, doctors etc. They had to be comfortable!

Some of the athletes were just hanging out by the garden, others strolling or biking around, some exercising, jogging, while some were conserving their energy by riding the shuttle bus to get from one place to another.

Village shopping

Just as I was very overwhelmed already, Mark Joseph and Martin Camara took me to other areas in the village.

First stop was the souvenir shop. Yes! Shopping! Then there was the dining area where all kinds of food were served 24/7. It was so big that the McDonalds inside looked small. Unbelievable!

But as I entered, I didn?t care about the food. I was looking for Federer, Nadal, Ivanovic, the US Basketball team, etc. Too bad they weren?t there.

Maybe in the gym. Again, amazing! It was fully equipped with all the newest state-of-the-art equipment, and good-looking athletes.

The entertainment area had video games, fusbol, air hockey, and DVD movie stations, plus a live band. I heard there was even a parlor where athletes got their hair and nails done.

The Beijing Olympic committee really did a great job. Everything in the village was pretty, comfortable, clean, and most important, free!

For the duration of the games, all athletes were regarded as equals. Respect was given to all those who participated. It did not matter where one hailed from. Everyone was an Olympian, an Olympian who deserved to share the stage with the Michael Phelps?s and the Usain Bolt?s of the world. Just competing was reason enough to be filled with personal and national pride.

Simply put, I was given a glimpse of what the Olympics are all about. As cliché as it may sound, it did not matter if one won or lost. What mattered most is how one played the game.

Team Philippines may not have garnered medals, (except for Wushu, an exhibition sport) but the lives of the Filipino Olympians have been forever changed by this experience.

So was mine. Now I look at everybody, most especially my kids, and hope that one day they will have the same, or even a portion, of an athlete?s passion.

The extraordinary lengths China went to in preparing for the games truly overwhelmed me. But beyond all that, I came away from the Beijing Games with a deeper understanding of the message of the games. One World, One Dream. In the arena that is sports, we are equals among peers.