ATENEWS ‘18-‘19
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rosvir Kate Flores ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ram Manlatican MANAGING EDITOR Avegail Gimeno NEWS EDITOR Jamrell Vincette Buynay ART EDITORS Yves Mathieu Africa Julien Jame Apale Joseph Nasser SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Allyster Berthe Astronomo SENIOR NEWS WRITERS Kyrie de Chavez, Kimberly Maragañas SENIOR FEATURE WRITER Geraldine Mae Antegra SENIOR CARTOONISTS Stephany Kate Bergardo, Christian Hel Cemine, Maria Cyra Jane Dealca, Carlo Isiah Escarda, Demi Althea Padillo, Raf Maurince Tacder, Samantha Yap SENIOR PHOTOJOURNALISTS Hannah Lou Balladares, Jacymae Kaira Go, Loraine Rubi, Charlotte Billy Sabanal SENIOR LAYOUT ARTISTS Ralf Vincent Bajo, Myrile Cadalzo JUNIOR NEWS WRITERS Johanna Vaughn Dejito, Sofia Roena Guan, Czar Ysmael Rabaya, Percival Cyber Vargas JUNIOR FEATURE WRITERS Ronald Jay Ortiz, Gwyneth Marie Vasquez JUNIOR CARTOONIST Fe Lourence Valente JUNIOR PHOTOJOURNALIST Maxine Lumbera JUNIOR LAYOUT ARTISTS Chloe Jan Cuaton, Moammar Nawang JUNIOR FIELD CORRESPONDENTS Allan Acera Jr., Sheena Allison Dela Salde JUNIOR VIDEO EDITOR Rodrigo Pastor Jr. MODERATOR Fr. Erwin Rommel Torres
Volume 64 No. 2 Copyright 2018 by ATENEWS This publication is not for sale ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Printed in Davao City, Philippines. This publication is protected by copyright and permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in retrieval system, or transmission in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or likewise. To obtain permission(s) to user material from this work, please submit a written request to: ATENEWS The offiicial student publication of the Ateneo de Davao University, G/F Arrupe Hall, Martin Building, Ateneo de Davao University, E. Jacinto St., 8016 Davao City, Philippines.
EDITOR’S NOTE
The Atenean spirit is said to be indomitable but sensitive, independent yet apprehensive of others. In whatever field it may be, this enables us to practice the value of magis in doing more while still being persons for others. Undoubtedly, the Atenean spirit prevailed during the 70th Ateneo Fiesta. In line with Ateneo de Davao University’s 70th year anniversary, we also mark the quintessential celebration of the Ateneo Fiesta. The 70th Ateneo Fiesta taught us how to transcend past the brilliance of medals, trophies and awards. It was an amalgamation of the solemn commemoration of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary and the demonstration of students’ talents and skills through friendly matches. Despite the limited time and budget of each division and cluster, each division and cluster was able to put their best foot forward to offer the best shows and performances all throughout their Fiestrams journey. Ateneans were able to place value on excellence, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. All the efforts that everyone had poured to make the events possible and the active participation of Ateneans in various competitions deserve to be acknowledged and remembered. Thus, this year, Atenews goes extra. Aside from the annual release of the Fiestrams Brochure, we introduce the complementary Sports Magazine highlighting student athletes who excel in various fields of both indoor and outdoor sports. With the support of the College Athletics Council, Atenews wants to share the stories behind the sports played by the featured student athletes of the university. Let us also take time to reminisce our memorable journey during the Sadya 2018. May each flip of every page bring joy and nostalgia to the Ateneo community. Ad majorem dei gloriam!
Rosvir Kate Flores Editor-in-chief
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS Diwanag 2019: “Eclipse” Artworks must be scanned in 300dpi and must be submitted to: art.atenews@gmail.com with the subject : DIWANAG_artist name_ artwork title Deadline for submissions is on November 25, 2018
eclipse DIWANAG 2019
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or submit them personally at the Atenews Office, G/F Arrupe Hall DEADLINE IS ON NOVEMBER 25
For the full fiesta galleris, visit
Griffins The soar of the
Kyrie De Chavez
Excellence is the norm when you talk about the Accountancy Griffins. They danced to the beat of their music when their performers took the stage for the Sayawtenista and Pair Dance Showdown, each one besting the other clusters for the top spots. The Griffins were no pushovers when it came to sports as they were hailed as the five-time defending champion for the Palarong Atenista. It left little doubt that the Griffins would also bring home their seventh straight top spot finish in the 70th Ateneo Fiesta events.
Vipers The sting of the
Ronald Jay Ortiz
With vigilant defenses and unbowed perseverance, the Business and Management cluster envenomed all who dare oppose the great blue snake. Defending their rightful place, the Business and Management Vipers slithered their way to overall Second Runner Up. They especially showed promise in the Fiesta games as the took the crown for Palarong Pinoy. The Vipers were also declared kings of the court for as they bagged the Basketball games and proved to be one of the top clusters in the university. Â Â
Chamaeleons The stealth of the
Czar Ysmael Rabaya
They may be stealthy, but their staggering performance in the 70th Ateneo Fiesta proved otherwise. The Computer Studies Chameleons showed their exceptional prowess in logical mastery and vast vocabulary in indoor sports events. They also did a remarkable portrayal of the Renaissance period during the Sayawtenista 2018. Chameleons might be best known for their color-changing ability but for the competent CS Cluster, it’s their heart and spirit of purple that fueled passion for their cluster.
The howl of the
Wolves
Percival Cyber Vargas
Hunting for victory and growling in cheers, the Humanities and Letters Wolves displayed the ferocity of their pack in the 70th Ateneo Fiesta. The wolves’ howls echoed all throughout the campus during the competition of grace and music in Star Search 2018. For the second time, the Wolves showed uncontested talent in performance. Adapting the beast’s enhanced sight and aim,  they also took a spot in Darts for Palarong Atenista 2018. Despite the challenges, they did not back down and showed sportsmanship during the games.
The flight of the
Falcons Geraldine Mae Antegra
Owning up to the tremendous willpower in their emblem, the Natural Sciences & Mathematics (NSM) Falcons broke barriers and soared past limits despite their small number during the Fiesta 2018 celebration. In collaboration with the School of Education and the School of Nursing as the Stags, the Falcons landed places in the top three of the various individual and team sports.
Tigers The streak of the
Sofia Roena Guan
Tigers are known for their majestic strength and indomitable courage, and the EA Tigers proved their impressive might and camaraderie as they won first runner up in the 70th Ateneo Fiesta. The crowd roared along as they dominated the Group Dance Showdown. The EA Tigers also showed their majesty over the other clusters as they bested in the ball games of Palaro 2018. Although known as fierce and savage creatures in the jungle, the EA Tigers displayed incomparable humility and sportsmanship during the entire fiesta.
Sharks The rage of the
Gwyneth Marie Vasquez
Despite their small number, the School of Education definitely proved that they were larger in spirit as they were larger in spirit as they competed against other clusters with the same wrath as the ocean. SOE were indisputably successful in demonstrating that the greatest boon of the Sharks is not just their keenness amid dark waters but also their indomitable spirit.
The prowl of the
Panthers Kimberly MaragaĂąas
Springing out of the dark, the Nursing Panthers roared in vengeance in this year’s fiesta as they clawed major wins from opposing clusters. In the Palarong Atenista, the School of Nursing, as Stags, shined in both group and individual events such as Volleyball, Swimming, Table Tennis and Sudoku. The Panthers also brought the audience into tears as they showcase the story of the Holocaust through graceful body movements, precise steps and symbolic representations during the Sayawtenista 2018.
Dragons The rise of the
Johanna Vaughn Dejito
More voracious than ever, the dragons emancipated their dominance during the Fiesta 2018. As elegant and mysterious as their cluster spirit animal, the Social Science Dragons progressively slithered their way to the top as they dance to the beat of Bob Marley for the Group Dance Showdown. The Dragons also bagged gold in the Ignatian Cup Debate. Finishing third runner up in this year’s Palarong Atenista, the dragons triumphed by garnering gold and silver medals in various sports competitions.
RIBBON CUTTING
BOODLE FOR PEACE
BATTLE OF THE BRAINS
CCO GIMIKAN
POPCORN NIGHT
MUSIKAHAN
CHILDREN’S DAY
KALANDRAKAS
KAKANIN FESTIVAL
UNIVERSITY-WIDE MASS
IGNATIAN
Ellie was compelled to stray away from her parents’ path as to discover what she really wants with no bias clouding her judgement. She used to be a football goalkeeper, but soon gave it up upon realizing that she loves volleyball more. “It felt natural,” Ellie said, referring to her relationship with volleyball. According to her, it was her mother that directly influenced her. At a young age, she found herself exposed to its nature and dynamics by accompanying her mother to volleyball tournaments. Ellie decided to pursue the sport again after getting overwhelmed by the abundance of time she had. Unlike other varsity members, she had not been scouted or sought for. After all, she was a new girl in a new town, one that is yet to build a name for herself. And so, she did. She made the first step instead of just waiting for someone to discover her. The 25-year-old athlete considers the Jesuit Athletic Meet (JAM) of 2016 one of the most significant moments of her playing years. It was during then that she was able to fulfill an athletic dream of hers while
bringing honor to the AdDU Women’s Volleyball Team. According to Ellie, she was able to earn a point for her crew by blocking Bea de Leon, one of the most laudable UAAP players. “It really felt surreal,” Ellie refers to the sensation of going against athletes that she only used to see and watch via television. For the entire run of her career, our athlete managed to take home various awards. One of which was getting awarded as the Best Middle Blocker during the Palarong Atenista. Set to finish her degree this October, Ellie’s time as a student-athlete is running out. Though reluctant on the idea of a professional career, she still desires to be part of the industry; not as a player, but as a coach. Ellie’s love and dedication for her sport transcends selfserving motives and selfishness. Adamant on looking for a mark to leave, she succeeded with finding one in the face of helping aspirants unleash their potential. After all, the best legacy to leave is to share your acquired knowledge and wisdom to those who need them.
Volleyball... It is a universal language that had a way of bridging together peoples of different races.
The saving grace amidst STORY BY GERALDINE MAE ANTEGRA
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he first hint of sunshine after being in the cold for so long. This is what volleyball was akin to for Elisha Bird, our athlete, a safe space in the midst of great disorientation. Ellie found her way to the Philippines at twenty. Despite being born in Papua New Guinea, she spent her high school years in Australia. Getting pregnant after graduation, she found herself back in her home country for the next two years. With her one-year old child old enough to be separated from her, she deemed it time to finally go back to school again. This time, to conquer college. Moving from one place to another will never be easy, especially with language as a solid barrier. And so, Ellie took solace in the arms of her beloved sport – volleyball – as a way of adapting. For her it was a universal language that had a way of bridging together peoples of different races. She started her volleyball career when she was in sixth grade. Even before then, she was already long exposed to the sport with volleyball players for parents. Just like any love child of two athletes,
Although hesitant at first with holding a racket for the first time after several years, Ann was amazed because her ‘muscle memory’ played out, allowing her to manage the game. After that experience, she unexpectedly found herself participating yearly in the Palarong Atenista. Slowly, but this this time, surely, Anne was also falling in love with table tennis once again. Recently, she placed 2nd runner up in the Women’s Single Table Tennis category in the Palarong Atenista 2018. She also plans to join the AdDU table tennis varsity, making the most of her last year in college. As an individual who found, lost, and became reunited with love in the most extraordinary circumstances, Ann regards winning and losing being an inseparable part of life as the greatest lesson that table tennis was able to teach her. Looking back at both her triumphs and failures, Ann can now walk the halls of the table tennis arena and be proud of how she conquered her demons of doubt. However much or however little we admit it, she says, life is all about keeping the ball bouncing at the right side of the table.
No matter how much she tried to hide from table tennis, it kept on chasing her.
Keeping the ball bouncing STORY BY GWYNETH MARIE VASQUEZ
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tories of finding the one, losing him/ her, and falling in love once again ordinarily happen between two lovestruck individuals. However, for Ann Mariette Aspacio, a fourth year student of Bachelor of Elementary Education Major in Preschool, it transpired between her and her sport— table tennis. In what she considers to be a metaphor for the different directions that life may lead us, the lightweight, tiny white ball and the two-faced racket stand for more than just a game we ought to play, but also one we ought to win. Ann’s complicated love story with table tennis began as soon as the first time she opened her eyes to the world as an infant. Growing up with her father as a table tennis coach, she learned to serve, smash, and demolish her opponent at the early age of nine. Three years into her home-based training, Ann started to compete in the local arena. By age 12, she championed in the Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) for the Girls’ Table Tennis category. Just as her table tennis career reached its summit however, it all went downhill when she lost consecutively in the Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) and the following year’s DACS. She started to compare herself to her brothers, who at the time, kept on bringing home medals and awards. “Mura bitaw ko’g nawad-an ug gana adto na time. Kay huna-huna nako, maypa sila kuya,” she lamented. Due to these failures, Ann decided to break up with table tennis. Being innately athletic, though, she opted to train for taekwondo and was promoted to the blackbelt status as she reached her fourth year in highschool. When she reached college, she shifted to basketball as she became part of the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) women’s basketball varsity in her third year. No matter how much she tried to hide from table tennis however, it kept on chasing her. Being part of the School of Education (SOE), Anne was compelled to represent her cluster in the Palarong Atenista during her first year. “At first adto kay murag napugos raman ko. Gamay ra biya mi sa SOE, so pagkabalo nila na kabalo ko mu-dula, ako na dayun gipa participate kay wala namay lain pwede,” she said.
member of the Ateneo Football Varsity team is definitely one for the books. Being able to join the varsity during his first year, it was not all rainbows and butterflies for Rick. He was new to the environment and college pressure. He admits that there were times when he’s tempted to surrender and give up Football but he always finds a reason to stay. “Niagi nako og dula badminton tapos volleyball. When I tried football, it just really clicked. Well, I just found the connection that I’ve been looking for. Football made me want to play the sport over and over again.” Rick ruminated. Also, one thing that made Rick stay despite academic pressure is the culture they have cultivated within the team. The Ateneo football varsity team, headed by Coach Noli Ayo, was able to shift their focus beyond the glory of goals and championships.
Football is football. Talent is talent. It is the mindset of your team that makes all the difference.
According to him, each member of the varsity team is now trying their best to promote the kind of culture that instills discipline. From the simple act of cleaning their footballs after a game to coming to practice regularly, they are using the sport to improve themselves and encourage other student athletes to do the same. “We are like pioneers in this kind of reform among athletes. It’s playing football for others and going beyond the sport. We use football as a way to help other people like for example, we partner with Arrupe Office of Social formation to handle summer camps in far places such as Bukidnon. Through this, we can share our passion for football and help them know more about the sport or even make them love the sport,” the athlete explained. In this light, Rick’s view on football agrees with the words of Robert Griffin III, “Football is football. Talent is talent. It is the mindset of your team that makes all the difference.” He may not have foreseen himself loving football but Rick Lawrence Inting and going the extra mile beyond the 90-minute game, he wants to tell aspiring athletes the greatest life lesson that this sport had taught him: “When you go on through life, I think the best defense and offense you could have is your love for your passion; whether in sports, academics, relationships or whatever aspect, it would all boil down to loving what you do.”
Going the extra mile STORY BY ROSVIR KATE FLORES
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is initial objective was to make friends and belong to the group. Just like a typical teenager, playing sports was not really for the sake of sports itself but to connect with his peers and to have the perks that comes with it. In fact, his first thoughts were only about the awesome pair of football shoes or the sturdy-looking gears. However, what started as a mere physical attraction, the connection with the sport slowly blossomed into something deeper and permanent. Rick definitely did not see it coming. “The initial reason why I liked football was because of the equipment. I bought them not only because I need them but also because they look good. Also, naga-Football pud katong akong amigo atong high school tapos gusto ko ma-close mi. So nagstart ko apil sa trainings. But then as time passed on, I realized that I came to love the sport itself and not just the equipment or whatsoever,” he shared. Rick Lawrence Inting is not your typical ‘boy next door’ athlete. Currently a 4th year Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science student, Rick does not only excel in the football field but had also been a consistent honor student. He is also a very active Arrupe volunteer. Among his other affiliations, his dedication as a
The sport to him became the road away from mischief.
“Dili lang pampawala ug stress pero dira ka maka-ila ug mga amigo unya maka-adto ka ug lugar nga wala pa nimo naadtuan, Ball is life jud bai,” Bosh answers when asked what basketball is to him.
Bosh and his team went on to win the National Students Basketball Championships. Rodrigo Duterte, who was the city mayor at the time, personally addressed and congratulated their success as a team. He says the feeling was indescribable.
Now, Bosh can be seen with his signature number 13 jersey playing his discipline as the point guard of Ateneo’s Varsity Basketball Team. He sets the play and takes the lead carrying the ball across the court. With every dribble, he remembers the obstacles he surpassed. With every lay-up, he remembers the bonds he made. With every pass, he remembers the adventures he had with his team.
“Basketball is discipline,” he states. The sport to him became the road away from mischief. He needed to discipline himself especially his body. He needed to stop damaging his lungs so he can extend his stamina. He needed to stop jeopardizing his liver so he can play faster. Also, he needed to stop sleeping late nights so he can wake up early for practice. If he wanted to improve himself, he needed to quit his old ways.
After graduating from high school, Bosh left his old team but brought with him the memories of their adventures together and the lessons he learned with each victory and loss.
and his team joined a local tournament. They trained and practiced all day but to their dismay, they came in second place. Despite their loss, their team had been chosen to represent Davao in the National Students Basketball Championship tournament. It was then that Jcarrlovic Tarranza realized what basketball truly meant to him.
“Dili masabtan akong gibati ato. Kanang mahumble ka unya maproud nga mahappy!” Bosh says. Being chosen to represent even though they hadn’t won the local tournament was unexpected, but winning the National
Students Basketball Championships was unbelievable.
Bosh has this to advice to those who aspire to be athletes and to those who look up to him “Kung kaya nako, kaya ninyo!” To him the sport is not just a past time or a hobby. To Bosh, basketball is a road to something better. Basketball is a game changer.
The game changer STORY BY RONALD JAY ORTIZ
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n the midst of a casual basketball game in the Martin hall of Ateneo de Davao University, the squeaking of rubber shoes and the noise of the ball bouncing off the court echo. A player sporting the number 13 sets the play for his team, drives the ball towards the ring and scores another point with a lay-up. The audience of the game cheered in awe at how Bosh handled the ball and his team. “Dili man ko ingani kahaud sauna,” Bosh states. Jcarrlovic “Bosh” Tarranza was a track and field runner in his elementary days. His days on the field however, soon turned to the court after seeing his father in action. From then on, he aspired to be as good as his dad. Though, the goal he set was not easily attainable. In high school, where everyone is susceptible to trouble-making, Bosh was not an exception. He did more than his part of mischief. At the time, basketball to him had become just a hobby. This changed when he
I learned that I didn’t only swim for myself, I was swimming for others.
Geia’s competitive streak was broken when she joined a triathlon in Ladislawa Village. After a grueling three course race, Geia’s several months of hard work and selfdiscipline resulted in her arriving in second place. “When I placed 1st Runner Up, I didn’t want to do it again,” she expressed. Geia never joined a swimming competition since then. She took a hiatus from swimming as a way of resting and giving herself a chance to explore other activities she was interested in. Staying away from the waters however, was impossible for Geia. Geia’s interests moved from swimming to saving. She desired to join the Lifeguard Program of Red Cross. After 2 months of intense training, Geia completed the program and became a Senior Lifeguard. It was at this program’s graduation ceremony that Geia swam the distance of Davao and Samal. In her first and second year in Ateneo, Geia had not joined any of the swimming competitions held in school. It was on her third year in Ateneo that Geia joined in the swimming competitions of Palarong Atenista. It took the encouragement of her friends and their belief that her ability to swim would not
disappoint them. Geia confessed that at first, she felt anxious with all the pressure to do good. By the end of her competitions, Geia felt proud of herself for not only being able to swim again but to also swim great and her HUMLET family had not fallen short of giving her their proud cheers. “I just wanted to give it a try,” Geia said. Thinking that she had nothing to lose by trying Geia entered Palarong Atenista. Her so called attempt lead to her placing champion in two events and second in her other events. She has this to say about placing second “When I placed second, it didn’t feel as bad as I thought it would. It was part of the experience.” With her head held high, Geia accepts her wins and losses and is ready to compete again. From swimming for herself, Geia realized that she was now swimming for those who depended on her and for those who believed in her. “I learned that I didn’t only swim for myself, I was swimming for others”. Geia says.
The drive for the dive STORY BY RONALD JAY ORTIZ
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tretching out 1.4 kilometers of salt water, the breadth between the shores of Davao and Samal Island is not a distance one would think of swimming. Geia Uy Mendoza of the HUMLET cluster is one of the few who swam the distance. Having done it not once nor twice, but four times, Geia is no ordinary swimmer. Belonging to a family that has regular trips to beaches and pools, Geia learned the basics of swimming at a young age. The waters of the beaches and pools they traveled to made Geia feel at home. “Being in the water makes me feel fluid.� Geia expresses. She feels she could let go of her problems within the calmness of the water. Her formal training started at when she was seven years old. This was also when her competitiveness started to grow. In the span of two years in training, Geia became better every time she dove into the pool and stroked of her arms. Geia culminated her training by winning all the events in the graduation ceremony. She dominated in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and in butterfly with her every stroke and kick that lead her further from her competition.
During her last year in elementary as well as in her high school years, she was part of her school’s varsity where she was first exposed to tournaments both inside and outside the campus. When she entered Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) in 2015, she also managed to represent the Accountancy cluster in the annual Palarong Atenista. As a first year student, she demolished her opponents from the different clusters— some of whom were even years ahead of her in the university. Moreover, she bagged the same award in her second year in college plus the championship title in chess from the Regional Federation of Accounting Technology Students (RFATS). In her third year, she further took a step forward when she emerged as the champion of the chess tournament of the National Association of Accounting Technology Students (NAATS) held in Davao City. Ella expressed that while it’s true how chess players seem to just be sitting nonchalantly and contemplating endlessly over the chess pieces, there are a lot more things going on than it appears. Imaginary wheels turn in the players’ heads and mental calculations occur infinitely— all of which are necessary to achieve the ‘checkmate’ that every player wants to say first. “Chess kasi is a mind game. Kailangan mong mag-isip before ka mag move at kailangan mong i-forecast din ang moves ng kalaban. For me, that’s the beauty of chess. Advance ka dapat mag isip.”
For me, that’s the beauty of chess – advance ka dapat mag isip
As a graduating student, Ella knows that her days of competing will soon be over. Even though she may no longer be able to achieve her former dreams of being a chess grandmaster, she shees herself as playing chess simply for love of it. Throughout her life, the 64 squares and 32 game peices have become a very huge part of her system that they burst of rainbow colors despite the bleakness of black and white.
Beyond bleakness of black and white STORY BY GWYNETH MARIE VASQUEZ
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ust like how she concentrates on the wooden chessboard in front of her, the same can be said for how she stays focused on her goals in life. After almost 10 years of playing the game, it’s hard to let go of the hobby that has inevitably become a way of life for her. Although she will be graduating from college soon, she has no plans of parting with chess. Daniella Marie “Ella” Panaligan, 20, may look like your average non-athletic girl, but whatever muscle or body part she had most toned was not a bicep or tricep, but brain muscle. When she was still in elementary, Ella was introduced to the game of chess by her father, who bought her a small chessboard to ‘pass her time.’ What began as a diversion from other non-productive activities eventually became Ella’s one true love. Despite feeling destined to be a chess player, Ella admits that her love affair with chess developed unexpectedly. Although she grew up knowing how to play the game, it was not until she reached Grade 5 that she really started to compete. Since then, she could not separate herself from the prolonged adrenaline of strategizing on which pieces to move and where. “Nung intrams sa school namin that year, tagabantay lang ako sa naga laro ng chess. Yung classmate ko na player, di man masyado marunong so sinabi niya sa akin na palitan ko na lang daw siya. Luckily naman, nanalo ako. Since then, tuloy tuloy na ang pag-compete ko,” she expressed.
Sa volleyball man gud kay papaspasay, dili siya pakusganay.
pursuance of the sport – a suggestion that he prefers team dynamics over individuality. Nice started his volleyball career in third-year high school. Once accustomed to the vibrant and youthful dynamics of high school varsity, he wasn’t prepared for the complex nature of college sports when he decided to jump straight into a college level team right after graduation. Willful in nature, he defied the foreboding stagnation and managed to find a release for his skills after quitting the varsity. Nice decided to represent his division, the School of Engineering and Architecture. It was through that that we had become familiar with the sensational middle blocker. Bawi became recipient of various awards in the three years he played as a Tiger. Aside from emerging MVP for two consecutive years, he was awarded as best middle blocker and best outside spiker for the whole length of time he played. After his two-year leave from the team, Bawi came back last year. Securing the spot of assistant team captain, he only proves to his past self that he is wiser and more proficient now. Set to graduate this year, Bawi realized that time is closing in on his affair with his beloved sport. Straying away from any possibility of professional playing, he knew that this could be their last year together. For Nice Bawi, volleyball is tied with juvenescence; a safety blanket that he comes back to for comfort and familiarity. As adult life rears its head behind the horizon, he realized that it is finally time to leave its comforts after spending more than half of his life there.
The end game STORY BY GERALDINE ANTEGRA
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ithin the gated walls of Ateneo de Davao University, we spot the young man with wild hair, towering over almost everybody within a hundred-meter radius in his six-foot high physique. Long limbs and an eccentric name, it is rare for an Atenean to forget one of the most laudable athletes to have ever graced the campus. A Lupon native, Nice Bawi grew up in a household of athletes. With lawn tennis players for parents, Nice already had the athletic life coursing through his veins long before his birth. At a young age, he embarked on the journey of finding the sport best suited for him. Before coming down with one, Nice spent his time trying out a wide array of prospects, including lawn tennis – his own parents’ forte. Unfortunately, none fit him perfectly. Not until he came across volleyball. “Daghan elements na ganahan ko sa volleyball – ma-train akong disiplina, focus, decision-making. Sa volleyball man gud kay papaspasay, dili siya pakusganay. Pag mulupad na ng bola diraa kay gamay na lamang imong time mag-decide or magthink sa buhaton.” It was long after he committed to it that he realized why it never worked out with the others. Cleary a relational person in nature, Bawi gets his drive from the social bond that he develops with other people. “Ang pinaka na-fall in-love dyud ko kay ang people – teammates or kalaban. Daghan kang ma-learn sa ila, even sa individuality sa kalaban,” Bawi shared, implying how huge a bearing his team and the people he gets to interact with in the process have in his continuous
LIGHTING THE WAY RE-IMAGINING A BLUE KNIGHT ATHLETE EMMANUEL JOSE O. COLLADO PRESIDENT - COLLEGE ATHLETICS COUNCIL One of the things athletes must remember is that it’s not about you. You may be the MVP, score most goals and swim or run the fastest, but it’s still not about you. It’s about something bigger than yourself. It’s about your teammates, the team, and school. It’s about the name in front of the jersey not the one in the back. We scream AMDG for the greater glory of God and not for the greater glory of me. Being a Blue Knight athlete is about something that is bigger than ourselves. Why do you play for Ateneo? This is perhaps the most common question asked to any Atenean athlete. I’ve had my fair share of pessimistic questions and I would always respond, “Why not?” This lesson is reinforced by the Jesuit value of Magis and the lesson that St. Ignatius imparts: to give and not to count the cost. Love is the central messages of sports and we learn that you can give your heart out even if you don’t seem to gain anything in return. I have always believed that there is more to what meets the eyes when we look at student athletes. We have stories of love, strength, and passion shedding blood, sweat, and tears for a bigger cause. Too often do we stereotype student athletes, but I hope that, through the stories presented here, we can all see the possibilities of what an athlete can be and what an athlete should be, the Ateneo way.