Run for Dreams: Gold Medalists of 2019 Palarong Pambansa

Five days before the competition, the two young athletes together with their co-players and trainer confined themselves into an extensive training. The sun has not yet shining, yet they have already completed several rounds in the the oval. I could not help but to feel amaze though I have seen some documentaries on television with the same scenario. There is really a big difference observing in real time. I could say victory is literally a mixture of inspiration and liters of perspiration.

The journey of an athlete is never easy. Coach Geron Serrano used to tell that aside from focus and avoiding stress, food intake and proper time of sleep are vital to keep the stamina strong. Coach Serrano, as also one of their teachers had witnessed the beginning of their running career. In their winnings, there are also losing, yet never giving up. He has tagged them as obedient and well-disciplined. Their ability to perform in academics while on the peak of the training is admirable.

Quickly, at seven in the morning, Bunny and Evita pack-up for school. When the training is over, they are back as being common students. However, they remained running as most of the students go home at five in the afternoon. It is always a long day for athletes. It is not so convenient to handle for everyone, only for the chosen someone.

Running For Her Family

Being born and raised in an average income earner family in Pangil, Laguna, Magvrylle Chrause ‘‘Bunny’’ Matchino of Siniloan Integrated National High School believes that in every medal she receives, it increases her mother’s chance to stay with them. ‘‘Para sa akin po, unang-una para mapauwi ‘yung mama ko.’’ (“For me, first, I want my mother to be back home.”)

For quite a long time, Bunny’s mother works abroad to prepare for their higher education. Thus, that opens her mind to do something. Her enthusiasm to be a greatest runner is her ticket to free tertiary education just like her two elder siblings.

Not later than eight years old when she witnessed her brother’s joy wearing medals from a track and field competition. Bunny, on her innocent, mind starts following him. And later on tried her luck. ‘‘Grade 3 po ako ‘nong 8 years old po nag-start po yun na nagustuhan ko ‘yung track and field gawa po ni kuya nung nakita ko po syang umuwi sa bahay non na may dala po s’yang medal saka po masaya po sya non.’’ (I was at Third Grade, I was eight years old when I first like track and field because of my brother. Once, I saw him coming home and smiling while holding a medal.”)

Bunny officially started competing when she was nine. Bunny learned the value of perseverance when she failed to qualify in Palarong Pambansa (National Sports Competition). Her willingness to prove herself ignited; she never swerves, instead, she stayed on focus. Until the victory comes along her. Bunny clutched her first gold medal when she was at Sixth Grade. It was the beginning of her unstoppable victory until today.

Chasing towards their dream was their father Meet and grandmother Norma on their side. It was a long time ago when the grandmother also raced with famous runners in the Philippines. She remembers Mona Sulaiman as one of her competitors. However, her running was stopped when her grandfather got sick. The support she shows for her grandchildren especially for Bunny whom she sees herself is undying as she believes that they could continue her vanished dream.

Runner’s Blood

Evita Ruth Belloso who is also making a name in Track and Field is likewise continuing the career of her great grandmother. ‘‘Tuwang-tuwa yung lola ko e, sasabihn n’ya pag tumatawag parang, laging sinasabi non na si Evita raw ang nagtutuloy ng kanyang mga pangarap ‘nung araw. Kasi ang lola ko’y ganyan sya mananakbo din.’’ (“My grandmother is happy as she would always say that Evita can continue her dream before as a Runner.”)

On the interview with Menerisa, Evita’s mother, she revealed how proud their entire family for her early success. Same with Bunny, her running career started in her primary school days. Her quickness was noticed by her teacher leading to various opportunities that greatly honed her skills.

A meek junior student of Siniloan Integrated National High School commonly describes Evita. She speaks softly and utters few words. Though, ultimately she gets vigorous during every race. At Fifth Grade, this young runner already collected various medals from bronze to gold and reached the Palarong Pambansa (National Sports Competition) before she graduated in primary school.

Coach Geron has also seen Evita as a silent weapon since she enters junior high school. The potential she has was unleashed even more when she has given a chance to join various running competitions in school, inter-school and on national level. The confidence she gets from every victory has somehow helped boost her personality. On the other side, the prize she gets from winning means a lot for her family.

Evita’s mother dreams a college degree for her. She admitted how hard she prays for her daughter as an athlete because it might be the only way to finish college. ‘‘Paghusayan nya yung kanyang ginagawa, mahalin nya yung pagtakbo n’ya, kasi sinasabi namin na yun lang yung way para makatapos s’ya, kasi dun siguro mag-uumpisa yung karera nya na makatapos.’’ (“She should do better and love what she is doing – running, because that’s the only way to finish her school. Her race actually starts after finishing her school.”)

Many of the successful personalities have such a simple and humble beginnings. On the surface, they are nobody, yet when gets ripe, they will surely be somebody. They run as if nobody, but they win and applauded by everybody. They run not for own glory, but for the dreams which they want to be in reality.

Watch the short documentary about these two young athletes on Gintong Karera (Golden Race).