culture of excellence through the YearS

“I gave my very best. My desire is to give honor to my team, school, and family. As athletes, we always struggle with time management and financial problems. My first competition felt like I was an innocent newbie, but through my experiences, as of today, I’m very confident in my ability to fight my opponent in every competition,” Edrian Josh Ramonel, a Black Belter, a three-year martial artist from PLmun Karatedo, said in an interview with The Warden Publication. He is the Ace player and President of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (PLMUN) Karatedo Marshalls.

He participated in a total of 16 competitions during his journey as a member of the team. He has already explored competitions at local and national levels. And like any other student-athletes, his worst experience so far is getting injured in the competition. However, it was all worth it seeing the honor he brings to his team, family, and university. He proudly reveals that he bagged a 10-game winning streak during his journey as a martials artist.

“Losing is always part of a game. You will never appreciate the happiness of winning if you don’t experience the feeling of being a loser,” Daniela Marie Gatbonton Tabares, a 2nd Dan Black Belter, said during the interview. She is the President of the PLMun Karatedo Marshalls. She mentioned that during her journey as a martial artist, she is used to winning gold medal. But there are also times when she only brings home silver or bronze. However, she acknowledges it as part of the journey—possibility of losing.

She revealed her worst experience in the university during her four years as an athlete receiving no support from the university. She does acknowledge the allowances they received three times in 4 years, but she demands support during their training.

“...what we need is support in terms of training, like a proper training venue and proper training equipment and gear,” she wants to emphasize that what they need is athlete care, like how a team with a winning streak should be treated.

Daniela treats “every time, [she cheers] for the whole team” as her best experience. “We know that we were able to become champions without the aid of the school. that even though we don’t get support, we can lift ourselves and introduce the name of the school [Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa] to those who are fighting against us.”

Not only are the team and its members known for their culture of excellence, but the PLMun Karatedo Marshalls Coach too.