Double Dutch

The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear the word ‘double dutch’ is that it sounds yummy like ice cream. Last week, I was introduced to a Japanese teacher who accompanied eight Japanese students from Eiko Gakuen High School in Japan under a yearly exchange program between Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Eiko Gakuen. The teacher, Sensei Shinji Koga, is also a former gymnast. Aside from Math, Mr. Koga specializes in and teaches double dutch, skipping rope and gymnastics. He is also the President of the Japan Skipping Rope Federation. His students have won countless competitions in Japan. One of his goals in his visit here is to introduce the sport of  double dutch to our students.

According to Wikipedia, double dutch involves at least three people with one or more jumpers jumping simultaneously, and two turning the ropes in opposite directions. A jumper usually performs tricks that may involve gymnastics or breakdance. Others may also incorporate fancy foot movements. double dutch is popular worldwide. Competitions in double dutch range from block parties to world levels. during the spring of 2009, double dutch became a varsity sport in New York City public high schools.

Last Saturday, Sensei Koga joined our Metafit session and did demo workouts of skipping rope and double dutch.  The drills “looked” very easy. We tried the normal skipping rope first. Then we did the single under, double under, triple under, side to side, high knees and free style while skipping rope. Sensei Koga advised all first timers  to just hold the rope on one side and get the feel of jumping or skipping. The fun started when we used the long ropes and then the double ropes which are called double dutch. It was difficult turning the ropes and jumping inside them. Sensie Koga wowed everybody with a demo of push-ups, donkey kicks and other breakdance moves. It is a sport that could be of advantage for the Filipinos because we are naturally great dancers.

Double dutch competitions vary in different categories from Open, Under 19 and Junior. Each category has its own level of competition under speed and performance.

Speed Level: Each group is composed of 3 members, one jumper and two rope turners. They will be timed for 30 seconds to complete as many jumps as possible. Jumping style will be jogging steps. Every time the left foot touches the floor, it will be counted as one jump. Example: left, right, left, right, left, right = 3 jumps.

Performance Level: The performance must be done in 2-3 minutes and judges will evaluate the performance based on the criteria of “Technical Ability" (25 points), "Expression" (25 points), "Choreography" (25 points), "Originality" (25 points). Overall scores will be calculated as follows: Technical Ability + Expression + Choreography + Originality = Total Performance points (maximum of 100 points).

Acrobatic skills for the double dutch contest are defined as follows: gymnastic skills, break dance moves, circus stunts such as a front flip or jumping using body parts other than the feet (push-ups, donkey shifts, etcetera). These include skills done in pairs. These rules were used in the Double Dutch World Competition 2014 held just last March in Tokyo.

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I want to take this moment to share with you the story of a person who I look up to as  one of the most inspiring persons I have ever meet. He does not own the biggest mall in the Philippines, nor does he drive a Porsche, Ferrari or Mercedes Benz. He is my father in law, the late Mr. Yu Ting Chong.

Papa was born in China and sailed to the Philippines as a young child. He was nicknamed “Indian” because he moved in and out so fast that you can hardly notice him. He walked so fast that I had a hard time catching up with him. He was always on the go. He does not wait for people to do things for him.

Papa was also kind hearted and thoughtful. He was always there for people who needed his help without asking for anything in return.

Last August 8, 2014, Papa breathed his last and joined his Creator.  Being the practical person that he was, Papa already prepared for this eventuality years ago so as not to burden his family. He was ready. He knew  that his job here on earth was done. Papa and Mama Elena have four children, namely, Jillian, Erwin, Edward and my wife, Caroline. They are all grown up, well-mannered, respectful, God-fearing and successful in their own fields of endeavor. Papa will always be comforted by the fact that they will look out for each other as they always have. This for me is one of the true measures of success of a person’s life.

Also many of his ‘mahjong’ buddies are already waiting for him in heaven.

Two days ago, a day after his body was laid to rest, a red dragonfly appeared at the Papa’s home and just clung on to the screen door. Dragonflies are believed to be souls of the dead, and brings with them the assurance that the soul of our departed loved ones are free and has moved on. Rest in peace, Papa. We will miss you.