One arises in every crisis.

With the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games a mere eight months away, things are not looking good as far as preparation for the hosting is concerned.

The major problem is funding.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is having a tough time procuring equipment and building facilities without a single cent in its war chest. As of press time, Congress and the Senate have just ended a deadlock in the approval of the 2019 national budget in which the P5-billion SEA Games funding is part of.

Deputy Speaker Prospero Pichay, who is also a member of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) executive board, said if the fund will not be released in March, our hosting is already in critical condition as the PSC would need at least six to seven months to procure sports equipment in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit.

But March is over in a few days and there is still no hint that the fund would be released in a week's time.

Pichay changed his stand. He said we could still host it if the fund would be released around April, but the situation would be really, really tight.

But what if the fund would still not be released in April? Well, just forget it.

This development is what is being monitored by the SEA Games Federation Council, the powerful assembly composed of 11 countries that organizes the staging of the biennial meet.

Reports said if the Philippines couldn't really host due to funding concerns, it should take the initiative of giving it up to give the next host ample time to prepare.

Based on previous reports, Indonesia and Thailand are interested in taking charge. After all, the Indonesians have refurbished the massive Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta when it hosted the 18th Asian Games last year while the Thais can easily hold it either in Bangkok or in other cities like Korat.

Another problem is the legality of Phisgoc's existence.

It was reported that Pichay revealed that the POC executive board didn't issue a board resolution or a memorandum of agreement assigning the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee as the official organizer of the Games.

POC president Ricky Vargas said it was the previous administration of Jose "Peping" Cojuangco that authorized it.

But in the general assembly meeting last Thursday, Cojuangco strongly denied that they issued a board resolution to the group of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to run the SEA Games.

Then, Vargas stressed that there is a memorandum circular from no less than President Duterte informing all government agencies and owned and controlled corporations — including the PSC — to support Phisgoc in organizing the Games.

Still, it doesn't hold water. The POC is a non-government organization and is not covered by the memorandum circular.

Are we going to face it or simply run away?

Pichay, who is deeply concerned by Vargas' decision to advance P7.2 million to Phisgoc without a POC board resolution, said they are willing to help the POC chief untangle the mess if the matter would be discussed in the next POC executive council meeting on Friday.

"We're putting everything in perspective because we don't want Mr. Vargas to commit a major mistake," Pichay said in a phone conversation.

"If something happens, POC will be liable. So we might as well discuss how we can legalize the existence of Phisgoc in our next board meeting."

These two major problems — or harsh realities, if I may say — are staring at us as we enter the crucial stretch of our preparation for our hosting of the SEA Games.

First, we have no money.

Second, our organizing body has no mandate.

Are we going to face it or simply run away?

But as I've said, in every crisis, there is a golden opportunity to shine. So instead of bickering, instead of spotting coup plotters, instead of brandishing reports that call our attention to act as "fake news," why don't we hold hands and show the world that we can rise to this challenge?

There's no such thing as a perfect hosting. It all depends on how we react and carry ourselves amid all these setbacks.

We only have eight months left.

The powerful SEA Games Council is on notice and the Indonesians and Thais are breathing down our necks.

Let's show them that we can pull it off and win as one.