SPORTS

CUMLAUDE — ATHLETE:

Road to the #Unexpectedchampionship

BY RACHELLE PAJA

Despite the expectations on her shoulders and the initial plan of doing what a typical student-athlete would do — attend a class, pass the subjects, train, and compete — this 22-year-old future educator is able to secure the Latin honors that she was not aiming for in the first place.

Krizzia Jana Potencio Molina is a Bachelor of Physical Education graduate from Batch Banyuhay 2022 who received numerous awards, including 2nd Honors (72nd and 74th Recognition Day), Satisfactory Academic Performance Awardee as a Varsity Scholar (2020), Special Recognition Awardee (2019), and, of course, the Cum Laude, which made her even more grateful for all the recognition given. ■ IT RUNS IN THE BLOOD

“My parents were also athletes when they were young kaya siguro it runs in our blood, na halos lahat kami into sports (volleyball).”

While watching her siblings train for a volleyball tournament and becoming a sudden substitute for her sister, Molina’s passion and love for volleyball began without her realizing it would last a lifetime. “Nanunuod lang po talaga ako palagi sa gilid since my older brother and sister were playing volleyball that time…Then, unfortunately my sister’s birth certificate had a little bit of a problem back then, so my lola (a teacher) asked me if I wanted to play and be part of the team as a replacement for my sister.”

She was a majorette before starting her career in sports, particularly volleyball. She is taking care of her skin tone because she does not want to have tanned skin, which led her to a challenging decision but was considered the best decision she made. ■ JUGGLING THE STUDENT-ATHLETE LIFE

Similar to what those student-athletes experienced, she did not have an easy ride; she started from scratch— sitting at the bench for a whole game and being a water girl, but these steered her motivation to always attend training, improve, and become better every day.

As time passed, her parents became anxious about her academic performance and sent her to a school with no volleyball because her training had become daily and she needed to compete outside the school. They were concerned about her being distracted due to multiple responsibilities.

Despite her parents’ concerns, she remained motivated and eager to prove to them how she could excel academically by being either Top 1 or Top 2 in class during recognition while also enjoying her greatest love, volleyball. “Pinatunayan ko naman po na yung paglaro ko does and will not affect my academics…”

As an athlete, she is always eager to learn and dedicated as she believes that nobody is perfect, so she always attends practice. Eventually, the sport was not just about the sport itself but the sisterhood they made in the long run. ■ HOW TO BE YOU PO?

People have wondered, “How did she do that?” Being a student is already exhausting enough, but she graduated Cum Laude while bringing honor to the university as an athlete. Training after classes, tournaments during final exams, and many tasks that she survived.

It is simply a matter of managing your time, as she advised. “I managed to balance my academics and training because I know how to prioritize things, and I know how to manage my time properly. I think that’s my advice, learn how to properly manage your time so you can juggle everything--- your academics, training, even your nightlife” ■ WORDS OF GRATITUDE

With all of these wonderful blessings, one thing is certain: she is happy and fulfilled. “I am honored that I could deliver such success to my family. I set aside those expectations thrown at me so that I could enjoy my college days, especially playing volleyball wholeheartedly.”

In addition to that, she is also grateful to her coaches, teammates, and the entire UNC community for the opportunity. “Nakapag aral po ako nang libre, sa magandang institution pa po because of volleyball. Kaya I am very grateful.”

From kindergarten to senior high school, only her father went on stage with her because her mother once told her that she would only accompany her once she graduated and received her college diploma, which motivated her to do well and graduate.

“I am very thankful po sa parents ko for the support and love since day 0. I know I made huge mistakes, but they were still there for me, rooting for me. Mama & Papa, I love you!” ■ ONWARD

The 22-year-old Cum Laude is preparing for the next step of her life. While applying for any opportunity that arises, she is planning to review, take and pass the LET 2023 and is looking forward to being of service in the coming years. “I am looking forward to share and teach everything that I know to my future students. I know that we will be having so much fun and learning.”

UNC Taekwondo Team prevails in National Inter-school Competitions; clinches 6 medals

BY: AILA JOY ESPERIDA

KICK AND STRIKES FOR MEDALS. The UNC Taekwondo team showed their solid kicks and fiery strikes to bring home six medals and prevail in the 2022 SMART/MVP National Online Inter-School Poomsae and Speed Kicking Championships last June 18 and 26, 2022 WORDS BY AILA

JOY ESPERIDA & PHOTO FROM SHYLOE DENISSE AQUINO

Fueled by their perseverance to bring honor to the university, the University of Nueva Caceres Taekwondo team prevailed in two national inter-school competitions – the 2022 SMART/MVP National Online Inter-school Poomsae and Speed Kicking Championships last June 18 and 26, 2022, both held online.

The feisty Greyhounds showed off their valiant performance, delivering solid punches, kicks, and fiery strikes to clinch a total of six medals in the two competitions against different public and private schools nationwide. In the 2022 SMART/MVP National Online Inter-school Poomsae Championship, the team garnered three bronze medals from 8 Pair Junior Category which was played by Arwen Venize Festelejo and Benedict Albert Dayag; 5 Cadet Female Blue Category played by Shyloe Denise Aquino; and 14 Junior Male Black A Category represented by Benedict Albert Dayag. Aside from medals, Festelejo also got fifth place in Individual Poomsae.

The team also bagged three medals in Speed Kicking Championship, pounding numerous strong kicks as Shyloe Denise Aquino got hailed as gold medalist in the Cadet Female Blue Fly-Fea category, while Ma. Ronela Daza gained a silver medal in Senior Female Black Fin-Fly, and Nathaniel Gian Mañugo reaped a bronze medal in Senior Male Black FinFly category. According to Aquino, having enough time to train, practice, and be holistically conditioned before the event enabled them to excel in various categories. “Team advantage yung pagkakaroon ng time para sa training kahit mahirap pag sabayin yung pagiging athlete tapos yung academics…Wala naman akong nakitang shortcomings since tuloy tuloy naman yung laro namin,” said Aquino. When asked about their team’s standing since many veteran players have graduated this year, she stated that they recruited new players who attended their try-outs, so the team will continue their training to improve their skills and prepare for upcoming events. After the online championships, the UNC taekwondo team is now preparing for face-to-face fights such as the National Poomsae Championship on July 16-17 at Ayala Malls, National Kyurogi in August, Batang Pinoy, and R5 Regional Taekwondo which will also be held this year.

UNC Taekwondo Mid-year Clinic Training muling inilunsad matapos matigil nang dalawang taon

NI CHAREY MAE ALVARADO

SPORTS VALUES. Sa kabila ng pagkakatigil ng dalawang taon, muling inilunsad ng UNC Taekwondo Team ang Taekwondo Mid-year Clinic Training noong ika-6 ng Hulyo sa kasalukuyang taon upang maituro sa mga mag-aaral na lumahok ang tenets ng taekwondo at malinang sa kanila ang core values ng isports tulad ng tiwala sa sarili, kapakumbabaan, tiyaga, at mabuting-asal. WORDS BY AILA JOY ESPERIDA & PHOTO FROM WARNER LANGITAN FACEBOOK PHOTO

Pagkatapos tumigil nang dalawang taon, muling inilunsad noong ika6 ng Hulyo, 2022 ng UNC Greyhounds Taekwondo Team ang Taekwondo Mid-year Clinic Training para sa mga estudyante mula elementarya hanggang kolehiyo. Tinatayang nasa 10 hanggang 15 ang bilang ng mga nagsasanay na estudyante sa UNC New Building mula ikalawang batch, habang dalawa naman sa unang batch na karamihan ay galing sa ibang eskwelahan. Ayon kay Rolly Bayola, head coach ng UNC Taekwondo Varsity Team, “Mas makusog, mahamot ang pakapromote [ng training] dahil sa mga previous achievement na nakua ninda [mga atleta], both national, regional even international competition,”. Ang mga parangal na nakamit ng koponan mula sa mga nakaraang kompetisyon, mapa-regional, nasyonal, o internasyonal ang naging dahilan kung bakit may mga estudyante mula sa Ateneo de Naga University at Camarines Sur National High School ang nagnanais na pumasok sa training ng team.

Dahil sa bilang ng varsity players na kasama sa training, idinagdag si Sir Warner Langitan bilang assistant coach, ayon kay Coach Bayola. Ang karagdagang suportang ito ang naging dahilan upang maging 1;1 ratio ang pagsasanay sa mga atleta. Ang pangunahing layunin ng clinic training ay maituro sa mga mag-aaral ang tenets of taekwondo, at malinang nila ang core values ng isports tulad ng tiwala sa sarili, kapakumbabaan, tiyaga, at mabuting-asal.

Mahalaga ring malaman ng mga atleta ang kanilang kahinaan, pagtuunan ito ng pansin, at malampasan upang tuluyan silang lumakas at gumaling sa larangan ng taekwondo. Ang nasabing clinic training ay may bayad na Php 2,000.00 bawat estudyante at mag-eensayo hanggang sa ika-3 linggo ng Agosto.

Kanser

NI PATRICK JOSEPH PANAMBO Tigsik ko an mga bagong nakatukaw Huna ko bago, garo na baga panos sa namumugtakan. Parereho sanang mga bata! Hadaw ika na naman?! Daeng pahingalo si Nono, Ngaran mo kang panahon ni Lolo Pirming dalagan dawa may kaso ‘Gang ngunian ika pa guiraray? Tigsik ko an mga nanggana Garo ido kang nangangampanya Buntot na iyong gayong wagwag Mabuoton sabi! Mala palak-palak pala. Makakiligon an saindong tataramon! Garo anghel hali sa langit. Diputa! An nguso pala’y may sibang. Hilinga an banwaan may hilang.

Isay man

NI MARIA JHOANNA YASIS

Tigsik ko an mga nakatukaw, Na daeng labot sa mga nagkukurahaw, An paghuna mo bungog, Garo pirming mayong nadadangog. Tigsik ko an mga tawo, Kadaklan sainda nagboroto, Dawa mahal na an bakalon Sinda pa nanggad an oomawon. Tigsik ko an mga nakatindog, Ginagarapo, pirming sinusupog; Ngingiritan ta daog daa sinda Habang nagtitios sa kamot kan mga nanggana. Tigsik ko an mga nagbabasa Dae na kaipuhan maghapot pa Dawa mayong pinangaranan Aram na kun si irisay yan!

Pagpuon kankatapusanNI JHEZYLLE FAYE LORIA

Tigsik ko an sakuyang mga kahimanwa Nag-aagrangay sa mahalong bakalon Dae na maray matulon Ta baka daa sa aga mayo ng makaon Tigsik ko si manay na nagsasakit sa buhay Mapatapos lang gabos na aki Sa harayong banwaan nagbaka-sakali Pero hadaw mayong diploma an saiyang pinili

Ika sana

Tigsik ko itong aldaw na ito na ako namundo Namundo sa kinaluwasan kang pirilian Naghibi man guiraray maski pighanda na ang sadiri Pirang semana bago an sakuyang mati nag-gaan Tigsik ko an futuro kan satoyang nasyon Malibog pa sa tubig na hali sa danawan Puon pa lang sugok na sais

Ngunyan onse pesos ng gayo.

NI NORENE CANTOR Tigsik ko an saimong ngirit Kansuhapon, dai risang pinipirit Paghiling saimo dai na nasúsulit Pagmamawot mo, ano daw an namit? Tinigsik ko an saimong ngirit Kansubago, garo ka lang naiipit Siisay an saimo nambwisit? Mahiling ko pa daw na dai ka nagsasakit? Tinitigsik ko an saimong ngirit Ngonian, hinahalat ko pang makapuslit Hare paghalatang ako an kumurit Sa mukha mong pabago-bago an sapit. Titigsikon ko ika sana-Ikang bihira nindang makumusta Alagad ngonian aramon ko muna Kun an ngirit mo saaga matitigsik ko pa.

Abaana!

NI CHAREY MAE ALVARADO Tigsik ko ining mga nagtarapos pa sana Batch 2022 an apod sainda Nag-aradal ning daeng saling An pagpadangat sa pagklase saindang pinahiling. Tigsik ko an mga bagong magiging maestra asin maestro, Enhinyero, nars, asin malaen-laen pa na propesyon, Ang pag-unlad ang iyo man lugod an saindang maging centro, Ngarig makaàwas na baga ang satuyang nasyon. Tigsik ko si sakuyang padangat na barkada, Sigeng reklamo siya daa mayong kwarta, Alagad siya saro man sa mga nagradwar na, Pero dae naghahanap trabaho baga. Abaana!