32nd SEA Games: Back in Field!

By Christian Jiro Flores

meter relay for the gold medals. JRU dragged home medals from Ramirez (silver, 800 meters), Orillano (silver, 400 m hurdles), Aboc (bronze, 400 m hurdles), Rico Jay Patanao (silver, 1500 meters), Dominic Woodard (bronze, discus throw), Brixter Luquing (silver, javelin throw), and Lyndon Millanes (bronze, triple jump).

JRU bested the other nine NCAA teams after having 685 points at the end of the overall events. Mapua University finished second with 661.5 points, while the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA finished third overall.

The 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is back with its host, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and joined by 11 Southeast Asian countries who strived to bring home medals, pride, and triumph from May 5 to 12, 2023.

JRU clinched its seventh senior championship. It is also their sixth time as the defending champion since their first championship in the 2010 NCAA games. Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia successively collected 355 medals, 313 medals, and 276 medals. The Philippines, which came in 5th overall rank, acquired 260 medals - 58 gold, 86 silver, and 116 bronze medals.

The names of the following athletes served as firecrackers to highlight the Philippines’ achievements and bring gold medals; Carlos Yulo in gymnastics, Kaila Napolis in jiu-jitsu, Nesty Petecio in boxing, SIBOL in esports, Jason Balabal in wrestling.

There are 846 athletes to conquer their places in different sports. They displayed their expertise and drove the victory they have worked hard on.

Strength does not only come in numbers. It is also at the expense of leadership, and to be an effective leader does not merely manifest in power and control. Giving assistance, support, motivation, and movement to others are its currency. This maneuver to good leadership is encouraged by Rizalians through the transfer of relevant values. One of its graduated students, the former President of the Senior High School Council (SHSC), Raphael Jourvy Gavino, willfully possesses his leadership and advocacy for Philippine society.

He shared his motivators—compassion, harsh realities, and guiding life principles. He further mentioned that the discrimination faced by women and fellow LGBTQIA+ members, the exploitation of farmers, and the repression of academic freedom moves him to drive his advocacy, “It stems from my heart na [that] you need to speak up about this, you need to do things about this issues,” he stated.

His determination to empower others did not dwindle despite having experienced challenges since the start of his position. He admitted that he went through an internal dilemma of self-doubt and felt pressure in the highest seat on the student council. To combat these struggles, he elaborated on three ways he did himself:selfaffirmation, self-assessment, and external assessment. These ways enabled him to assure, reflect, and move into action carrying a sense of commitment and passion again.

Committing to an organization and being a student requires planning and time management; that’s the routine of Mr. Garvino as he emphasized the importance of carrying a planner with him everywhere he goes. He assures of plotting his commitments and academic responsibilities and other specific tasks he needs to do. He also added that he asks his fellow officers and friends to remind him if he has forgotten a task to do.

Leadership is not all about commanding others — it goes on to give inspiration and influence individuals to do good and be good. As such, Mr. Garvino reminds students who struggle to voice and speak up. He also elaborated on numerous ways an individual can break out of their shell through the comfort of their skills. “Always use your talents, your gifts to serve other people.”

The accomplishment of triumphing against all odds has fueled humanity to revel in all seasons. Rizalian spirit never fails to find its inner hero through groundbreaking feats. Through a myriad of engaging events and creative affairs, we have paraded and curated memories every day. Say, how to make it more fun to celebrate these achievements than the Rizalian way?

The JRU quad is home to numerous festivities - the Buwan ng Wika, UN celebration, English Week, STEM Week, Business Fair, ABM Week, TechvocAD Week, this year’s celebration of the University’s 104th Anniversary, and many more, all were crafted with Rizalians’ pride and creativity. It has become the stage for students and faculty to exhibit their talents and excellency.

Of course, the grounds would only be complete with the students’ strolls and practices that are typical daily views. Some bask everything in their surroundings during their break time and observe the groups - who either play badminton, practice physical-ed activities or prepare for an upcoming performance. You will see students talking, playing, and connecting through interactions despite the varying characteristics they may have.

The revelry of the Rizalian spirit in breaking through achievements is a nod. With the latest NCR Palaro 2023 Champion of the JRU Track and Field representative, Rhannie Pilaspilas, Mishael Defeo of The Scribe won 2nd Place in Sports Writing Filipino at the Regional Schools Press Conference, the achievements we go through every day, especially the victories left unsaid, these create inner heroes in triumph. Big or small, every feat of strength deserves to be recognized and honored. Husay Rizal!

Find Your Inner Hero — the tagline that JRU presents and its students exceed. With all the recognized achievements, it does not merely stop at discovering one’s capability but utilizing it to do good for self and others, all that has made them the heroes of the now and the ever after.