My first sports feature article was published today. “First” sounds really optimistic; I’m not that sure if there’s going to be a second or a third since I’m really not into sports. But, being a mother, I have a soft spot for kids and I was really gung-ho on writing this story about kids reaching for their dreams despite the financial handicap.
Read the full text in the Sports section of Manila Standard Today. The article will ve reproduced here later with photos that I took during the interview.
The full article is below, as published in Manila Standard Today. The print version carried one photo which is not in the online version. Included in this reproduction are some of the photos I took on the day of the interviews.
WHEN the idea of writing an article about Centro Atletico first came up, the original plan was to post it in my Web log. But as things turned out, the story deserves more exposure and attention than my Web log can offer. Hence, I decided to submit it to Standard Today.
But, first, for the sake of complete transparency, let me state that a cousin and her husband, Rinna and Luis Abad Santos, are part owners of Centro Atletico and that I used to own membership shares in it.
This article, however, is NOT about Centro Atletico but about the children and teeners who train there to compete in badminton tournaments. This is about youthful dreams and the people who help youngsters make their dreams come true. If you’re one of those who literally get sick from reading about the muck in politics day in and day out, stick it out until the last word of the article because I’m going to tell you about simple dreams that will inspire even the cynics.
The story began almost 30 years ago with a young ballboy called Badong on the courts of the Manila Polo Club. Young Badong did not pick up balls for sports. He needed the money. When the courts were unoccupied, he would hit balls with his fellow ballboys and, later on, he would become a “palo boy.” Raw talent always get noticed and the case of young Badong was no exception. From such humble beginnings, Salvador “Badong” Banquiles would become a member of national badminton team during the heyday of the Gintong Alay program.
Almost 30 years later, the fire of competition and the glow of victory still shone in Badong’s eyes. Sitting across the table from me, he talked about how he won the national championship from 1988 to the first half of 1990 and how, in 1987, the Philippine national badminton team brought home a bronze medal from the Southeast Asian Games. He also talked about how he became a member of the Philippine National Police because it was the practice during the Gintong Alay years to draft promising athletes to the force to qualify for training and stipends. Gintong Alay ended, but Badong’s love affair with badminton continued. In the post-Gintong Alay years, Badong coached the badminton teams of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila and led them to many victories. He also coached part-time at Valle Verde. Among those he trained there were my cousin, Rinna, and her future husband, Luis. Today, Badong trains children and teenagers when he is off-duty.
As a member of the PNP, Badong played and did some coaching on the Camp Crame courts. From the sidelines, some youngsters, most of them children of policemen, policewomen and civilian employees at Camp Crame, would watch and daydream about playing badminton. These youngsters would go through a path similar to the one that Badong trekked all those years ago. They would pick up balls as the more affluent players trained. They would learn to hit the shuttlecocks when the courts were empty. Then, after some time, as it was with Badong, talent would get noticed.
Hello cousin! The article you wrote was very touching – it brought tears to many eyes, mine included (also jeanette, coach badong's wife and most of our partners and supporters)…. I'm excited to update you on the latest news regarding Gelita Castilo, Centro Kids' star player – she is currently in singapore to compete for an age group tourney called "Cheers Youth International Badminton Championship", representing the Philippines. We think this is the best way to gauge her real talent – bring her outside the Phils, and let her compete in a big (huge!) venue, put her in a different environment and give her a different set of opponents. It will be a good experience for her. This afternoon, she won over a singaporean (yes!!!) and tomorrow, she'll be competing against a malaysian (prayers, pls!!!)… I will update you on the result of her games tomorrow (she also has a girl's doubles event, teaming up with malvine alcala, a young girl also with a lot of potentials from another badminton club)…. thanks!
LOL I was going to update the entry with the info from your husband's text message, naunahan mo ako.
Congrats to Gelita. Sige, laban!
These people are the backbone of the society. They lived in low profile with dreams, willing to learn and work hard to get there where they wanted. I am touched by their stories, specifically competitiveness.
They lead a simple life but a shining example of human race.
It was a very uplifting experience, d0d0ng. How I wish I could write something like this everyday.
Update on "Cheers Youth International Badminton Tourney", Singapore: Bad news 1st – Gelita Castilo lost to a Singaporean named Triyachart Nattaporn, after 45 minutes of a very hard fought match, 3 sets in which Gelita won the 1st (21-14), lost the 2nd (22-24) and again lost the 3rd set (15-21) when she tripped & slightly sprained her ankle on her 3rd point. It was such a heartbreaking news for us when we learned what happened because it was a very close fight and if not for the injury, she could have won that game! My husband Luigi was very depressed for a while but i reminded him that the reason we sent Gelita to compete there is for experience… The good news – Gelita (still up & about not minding her slightly swollen ankle) & Malvine Alcala won their girls' doubles semis game and they advanced to the finals!!! They will be playing against a Sri Lankan pair at 3pm today, Dec. 2. (More prayers, please!!!) – Sana mag-champion!!!
Sana, manalo sila.
Rinna, I have my own disappointments. She is a Filipina and her victory would be a good reflection on the Philippines but the interest of most Pinoys in sports victories is limited to the likes of Pacquiao. Proof.
"Cheers Tourney" update: Gelita Castilo and Malvine Alcala won the gold in the "Below 13" girls' doubles category! They beat the sri lankan pair in an exciting match of 3 sets. They lost the 1st set, (19-21), won the 2nd (21-14) and the 3rd (21-10). If you noticed, medyo malayo ang scores on the last two sets, medyo kinabahan daw yung dalawa nung umpisa, but they totally dominated and demolished the sri lankan pair on the2nd & 3rd set! sayang, we weren't able to watch! My friend who hosted them said she almost had a heart attack watching the girls fight it out!
I'm so proud of them!
So true – what you said about boxing/Pacquiao & basketball, but we'll get there….someday!
O, Rinna, pa-party na kayo! hehehe
Your up-front disclosure impressed me a lot.
It’s only fair, di ba?