2016

Sports Feature
Lifting Weights Keeping Faith
Philippines is a home of sports enthusiasts. Some Filipinos have actually become famous all over the
world in the field of sports. The latest addition in the Philippines roster of international medalists is Hidilyn
Diaz, who garnered the silver medal during the 2016 Rio Olympics Weightlifting Competition held at Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil.
It is sad to note, however, that despite how enthusiastic we Filipinos are in terms of sports, we are
more engaged in team sports like basketball, and ignore weightlifting because most of us believe that it is a
difficult sport. Weightlifting is such a very tiring and endurance-testing game. The lifter needs to carry the
barbell higher than his or her head with proper posture, allowing the barbell up for a moment before finally
putting it down.
The sport signifies that no matter how heavy the burdens that we are holding, no matter how heavy
our problems seem to be, our strength to carry all our problems shall not only come from our physical
capacity, but it comes more from our indomitable will. It comes from our spiritual endurance, thinking that
despite the load, despite the burden that is resting on our shoulders, we can always have the strength to
carry on with our lives. As long as we are willing to carry our loads and use them as an instrument to achieve
success, everything will always be possible. But if we feel we are losing strength, there is always that
Someone up there we can turn to as we lift up the weights we have God. And I believe He will never let
us fall, as long as we keep the faith while lifting lifes weights...

CHRISTINE JEWEL: Kicking and Shining

If you can dream it, you can do it!
Such is the guiding principle that has led the 14-year-old Christine Jewel dela Cruz (or simply CJ to her family
and friends) to become superior in the sports arena. Her exceptional skill, coupled with her solid strategies, make her
opponents in the court plead for mercy. CJ is a fearless girl who possesses a flaming enthusiasm, backed up by her
intense perseverance and a burning desire to dominate the battleground. She believes that she can conquer all, if only
she believes.
During her elementary days, CJ first engaged in volleyball. But at the age of 13, she was seen to have a
potential to become a great taekwondo player in the future. She realized that the battlefield for taekwondo is calling
her. At first, she doubted herself and her skills, but with faith and determination, she never gave space for surrendering.
She started training with her coach, and committed herself to aim for victory. Despite the countless aches that she felt
during her training, she never stopped dreaming. She believed that all of her efforts would pay off someday.
Because of her strong kicks and dauntless spirit, her opponents shivered with fear as she captured the glorious
gold in the court during the 2016 Ilocos Norte Athletic Association (INAA) Meet. With hard work, she would be one of
the representatives of Ilocos Norte to the upcoming 2017 Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) Meet.
Her achievement could have made her arrogant, but she didnt stop training. Instead, she used her success as
an inspiration to achieve more and improve herself. She never lets success ruin her, but she kicks all the vices of self-
praise and self-promotion.
When asked about the reason of her success, she humbly says, You should never say you cant if you didnt
try it and always entrust your dreams to the Almighty God. No matter how high your altitude may be, always remember
to remain humble and down-to-earth.
Aside from being a sports icon, she is also a student who shines in the field of academics. CJ is a part of the
honor roll inside her class. She also possesses beauty inside and out that qualified her to be one of the top 5 finalists
during the Search for Little Miss Centennial in the year 2010.
Definitely, Christine Jewel is one the young role models everyone should follow. She never lets disappointments
and problems delay her towards the realization of her dreams. She never underestimates her ability to capture the
shining gold that she is aiming. She will not stop dreaming until she reaches her ultimate dream to be a well-known
taekwondo player. She will always believe in herself that she can do powerful kicks that will lead her to the summit of
her dreams.
Indeed, in kicking, Christine Jewel is shining.
Sports News
International Sports
Filipino paddlers seize 3 golds in Asian Dragon Boat tilt
PUERTO PRINCESAThe Philippines cashed in on its familiarity of the race course to claim three
gold medals in the 2016 Asian Dragon Boat Championships.
Filipino paddlers ruled the 20-seater mens 500-meter event as well as the 10-seater junior mixed
500m and small boat womens 200m while winding up with silver medals in the small boat men and women
500m before a huge crowd at the Baywalk area here.
They clocked 1:52.720 in the standard boat mens 500m after leaving Chinese Taipei (1:57.602) a full
boat behind at the finish during the opening of the two-day race organized by the Philippine Canoe Kayak
Federation and top Puerto Princesa City officials led by Mayor Lucilo Bayron.
Meanwhile, the womens team captured the small boat 200m title for the first time after edging
Thailand (54.753 seconds) and Indonesia (55.351) with a 54.453 clocking.
Thailand and Indonesia are the contenders here, so we really didnt expect to win this event, said
headcoach Len Escollante. We had not fielded our women paddlers as a team before.
The Philippine got another silver in the small boat womens 200m after Thailand zoomed past near
the finish in 2:19.145. The Filipinos crossed the line in 2:22.128 followed by Indonesia (2:22.795).

Warriors retain Taekwondo crown

Dynasty continues!
Fast and ferocious Maananteng Warriors Taekwondo Team once again dominated in the
crucial war of sports icons and pocketed the final ticket to a row of victories in the championship
battles during the thrilling Solsona Secondary Schools Athletic Association (SOSSAA) Meet held at
the Solsona Public Plaza, September 16-17.
Sweltering their high-octane attacks and fault-proof strategies, the fearless women warriors namely
Kaycee Marie Gabriel, Criszia Laine Cabula, Princess Ann Aguinaldo, Christine Jewel dela Cruz, Jessa
Aguinaldo, Joanne Domingo, and Allondra Kate Cayetano dominated in their respective weight categories,
contributing 7 shimmering golds in the medal tally.
On the other hand, frustrating assaults, full-force bullet kicks unloaded by the well-oiled and power-
packed Glenn Corpuz, John Albert Redulme, Jasper Jan Jose, James Angelo Vicente, Niko Domingo and
Amiel Asuncion became the ruling strategies that muffled rivals in the taekwondo men championships.
We are very happy that we retained the crown. The victory would not have been possible if not for
the discipline and determination of the players, said Coach Mrs. Kathleen Estacio.

EUSSAA Meet 2016

Solsona outplays Dingras
LAOAG CITY Kimberly Juan dished out a phenomenal performance and made the biggest basket
in a down-to-the-wire battle, lifting Solsona past Dingras, 72-58, and into the threshold of an outright
INAA entry in the Basketball Women Championship during the East Unit Secondary Schools Athletic
Association (EUSSAA) Meet, Oct. 6-7.
Witnessed by a throng of sports enthusiasts, Juan created stupefying shots plus blistering cross-court
passes to carry her team into a dazzling 7-0. Dingras ballers found a spot setting their sophisticated
weaponry to shift the momentum on their side. But the sniper-eyed Solsona shooters responded, making a
tally of 38-27 on the first half.
In the brand new quarter, the blazing Solsona heated the court as they zoomed with offspins and
hotshots leaving Dingras grasping for breath, 54-39.
In the final stretch, the glassy-eyed Dingras were unable to handle the bolt action chemistry action of
Solsona after Juan was in shooting mode and closed the match giving the hasting impression into the mind
of spectators, 72-58, victory.
They are skillful players, too. It was just faith that we won the game, Juan said.
SOSSAA 2016 Diamond Clash
Solsona Sharks drown rivals
Solsona - Solsona National High School Swimming Team once again proved their supremacy as
they ravaged their tough foes after launching their outstanding strategies and techniques that
hacked out the glorious crown during the heartbreaking matches in the Solsona Secondary
Schools Athletic Association (SOSSAA) Meet held at the Sacro Residence Swimming Pool, Sep. 2.
Fast and furious Solsona rapidly dived and exploded like power-packed sharks, dominating the
swimming pool with the wrecking performances of Noel Andie Ballaco, Marcos Ballaco, Johnlord Pascua,
Simon Josh Martillano, John Dave Martillano, Prince John Simon, Nick Curameng, Dave Agacia, Jeffrey
Simon and Arjay Simon who won in their respective categories earning their 10 shimmering gold, 6 silver
and 6 bronze in the medal tally.
On the other hand, fire-powered Jheda Mae Balisacan, Myra Kate Barid, Erica Butin, Donna
Tamayo and Bernadette Biton became like swimming cheetahs as they unloaded their astounding strokes,
giving Solsona 9 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals.
We are fortunate that we gained more than we expected. Finally, the days of rigid training paid off
and we emerged victorious! said Coach Ramil J. Baltazar.

In the Penetrating Volleyball War

East Spikers astound Central Netters
LAOAG CITY- Leaving nothing to chance, East Unit rode on the momentum of its victory with the
topdog John Paul Espiritu coming through with his optimum kills, powering the East Spikers into a
staggering victory, 3-1, success over their rival Central Netters in the Ilocos Norte Athletic (INAA)
Meet Volleyball Boys Championship at the Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium (FEMMS),
Oct. 27-29.
East Spikers kept their defensive mode to finish the finals facing Central Netters, earning their second
consecutive title as champion in the said event.
Netters immediately gained leverage by exploding six bullet kills followed by three capitalized wallops
plus five armored placings putting their rivals out of position. Afterwards, the game got rugged and tense
when John Paul Espiritu proved to have a heavier weight firing off 4 consecutive spikes but still not enough
to overcome the continuous cannonading placings of the Netters: thus, the Netters clutched the first
touchdown, 25-23.
Momentum swung to the other side, after the pressured Spikers strode for the balls delivering their
blooming strategies and premium kills to carry their team into a dazzling 18-7. Netters found a spot setting
their sophisticated weaponry to shift the momentum on their side. But the sniper-eyed Spikers responded
making a tally of 25-14 on the second half.
Pulverizing Spikers continued their invasion against their shocked opponents as they unshackled their
flabbergasting kills and astonishing attacks, owning the third and last set, 25-18 and 25-19, respectively.
The training we had is a no-nonsense. Thats why we won. We really thank God and of course, our
coach so much! the overwhelmed Espiritu exclaimed.
Warriors grab 1st SOSSAA Meet crown
Victory is ours!
Top dog Warriors of Maananteng Campus ruled the intense war of sports heroes and blocked
the way of their helpless rivals, etching their name as the champion of the first-ever Solsona
Secondary Schools Athletic Association (SOSSAA) Meet held at Solsona Public Plaza, Sept. 21-22.
 The blazing Warriors excelled in sepak takraw men and women, lawn tennis men and women,
volleyball women, badminton men and women, basketball men, taekwondo men and women, arnis men,
table tennis women, which drove them to clinch 56 instant golds.
Fire-powered Movers of Bagbag Campus exploded their lethal strategies and played like roaring tigers
matched with brutal moves in basketball women, softball, baseball, swimming, and athletics, which made
them gain 48 golds, landing as first runner-up.
Strikers of Talugtog Campus stepped out of the shadows and reigned in volleyball men, arnis women,
table tennis men, making them pocket the third place with 23 golds.
On the other hand, ferocious and highly-powered Smashers of Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial
Academy, Inc. sweltered their high-octane attacks in futsal and soccer, making them fourth placer with 5
golds.
Thanks God we won. We hope that our triumph will usher our future victories, said Mr. John Dee
Manuel, sports coordinator of the Warriors.

Sports Editorial
Urgent: Support to Athletes
In the recently-concluded Rio Olympics, countries like China and USA made a remarkable feat in shining the
highest number of golds. On the other hand, our country was still an underdog.
Undeniably, our countrys representatives in the said competition also did their best; however, it was not enough
to defeat their opponents. Such scenario gave us a remarkable lesson which is needed to be addressed immediately.
Is the support from the government enough to improve the skills of our athletes?
During their trainings, athletes really need a sustained financial support from the government. The absence of
sports facilities and equipment, inconsistent training routines, lack of knowledge on updated game rules and
regulations and ineffective training programs are the respective concerns that dragged us to the bottom ranks in the
athletic field.
It is true that our athletes are given allowance but this is not enough. That has been underscored by Hidilyn
Diaz, Rio Olympic Weight Lifting Silver Medalist who has said that the meager allowance is the reason why the number
of Filipino Olympians dwindles every year.
Our government must prioritize the needs of our athletes. It must allocate enough financial support to address
the athletes. Let us also show and give them the moral support they need in order to empower their fighting spirits.
What is due to them should really be given to them.
Sports Caravan
The East Unit Secondary Schools Athletic Association (EUSSAA) has been the reigning champion in
the Ilocos Norte Athletic Association Meet (INAA) for years. In order to stay on top, the EUSSAA athletes
trained hard in order for them not to lose their crown. There were sweats of patience, pains of perseverance
and tears of faith during their training. They invested most of their time, money and effort just to retain their
title.
Unfortunately, EUSSAA lost to the Central Unit on the recent INAA Meet. The supposed-to-be happy
ending became tragic. The athleteswere not able to maintain their title.
But this defeat must not be the reason for our athletes to swim in the river of despair, but may this be
an inspiration for them to rise beyond their self-limitations and bring back their honor. It must not be the
reason for them to lose hope, but may this fuel their passion to train harder and possess more determination,
faith and discipline. May this remind them that the ball is round, sometimes we win and sometimes we lose,
that we are not always on top. So every ounce of skill, confidence, discipline, faith and perseverance is
crucial in trying to achieve what we have always dreamed of.
Next year, there will be again clash of powers and a change in the roster of athletes. Most of the great
athletes shall graduate and they shall be replaced by new athletes. They are trained in order for them to be
gold-conquerors. Though the rookies have talent, more trainings will be needed to enhance their skill.
Practice is a must.
Thus, in order for EUSSAA to regain its crown, may the people behind the athletes be not tired of
supporting these players. There is still next time. May the players themselves possess enough discipline,
determination and faith in order for them to surmount the challenges that block their way to victory and lastly,
may God be with them as they enter the battlefield in the next years to come.