Gelita (below, right) does not dream of becoming a professional athlete–she dreams of becoming a nurse. She plays badminton because it is fun and because it allows her to be with friends and to make friends in a healthy and safe environment. Although she has won more rackets and shoes in prizes than she can use, she hasn’t given them away but keeps them as mementos, and she holds on to her cash prizes to prepare for college.
Unlike Gelita, Jessalam (above, left) intends to play badminton professionally. She entertains ideas of coaching kids later on when her competitive years are over.
The interests of Jan Banquiles (below, left), coach Badong’s 12-year-old son who trains with the rest, goes beyond badminton. He enjoys performing in stage plays, he sings and dances, and enjoys baking. He swims, and he plays soccer and volleyball.
(Carl Kristian Clemente, or CK, is on the right photo above)
In other words, these are regular kids that I talked to. I saw none of the telltale signs that often afflict young talents–that of being driven to succeed by stageparents anxious to turn them into meal tickets. They play and train for the love of the game, for the camaraderie and for the chance to excel in a sport that they enjoy and have the talent for.
But they also play to win. They know the difference between playing as part of horseplay and playing on competition level. Of course, the pressure gets to them, too. But, unlike most adults, they recover from the hurt and the disappointment fast. Rinna described how the younger ones would cry after losing or after very hard-fought games. But, after an hour or so, they would be running around, playing and roughing it up just like most kids their age. And when the next tournament comes along, they would be ready and quite oblivious to previous disappointments. That really warmed my heart.
As I wrapped up the interviews, I could only wish that these kids would have at least half the opportunities that future professional basketball players get. Despite the popularity of badminton during the last few years, young badminton talents do not generate the same interest and attention showered on future basketball professionals. Athletic scholarships are rare, if not completely unheard of, for budding badminton players in the Philippines. A few generous souls have donated to the Centro kids’ training in the past but not the kind that will ensure continuous training for this batch and for batches of future talents.
And much as the idea sounds good, Centro Atletico cannot keep adding to its stable of talents and offer free training infinitely. My cousin, Rinna, doubles as canteen concessionaire while keeping an active interior design career. Her husband Luis, the full-time manager of Centro Atletico, doubles as part-time badminton trainer. They serve as drivers, yayas and chaperones, along with Coach Badong, when the kids compete. Yet, they persevere because they believe that they are helping these children realize their dreams. Not that Centro Atletico does not benefit from it all. These children, and their successes, are walking and talking endorsements for Centro Atletico. Between these indirect and still unquantifiable benefits, the kids’ accomplishments and their personal pride in their contribution to teach these kids to believe in themselves, there is more than enough to compensate for the long hours and all the hard work.
As I write this article, I can still hear Gelita’s and Jessalam’s giggles, I can still see Jan’s smile, I can still hear the pride in Rinna’s voice and the passion in coach Badong as he talks about the sport that he loves so well. Many dreams have already been fulfilled. Still, I wish that many more will be for these kids and for the ones who will come after them.
[tags]Philippines, Philippines+sports, badminton, Centro+Atletico[/tags]
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?