'Spectrum' winning entries

The University of St. La Salle student publication “The Spectrum” hosted a three-day national campus journalism conference in Bacolod City last week. Over 50 writers from different schools attended. The speakers were Dr. Isagani Cruz (column-writing), Carlos Conde (reporting), Salvacion Varona (citizen journalism), Raymond Palatino (environmental journalism), Neri Colmenares (rights of campus journalists), Owen Bayog (photojournalism), Hannah Papasin-Mariveles (film criticism, writing reviews), Charlie Saceda (peace and conflict journalism), Julius Mariveles (media situationer) and this writer.

The conference was organized by the Spectrum staff led by editor Celine Chua, associate editor Epi Dajao and managing editor Cheery Degabi. It was endorsed by Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Maranon, City Mayor Bing Leonardia and La Salle president Br. Ray Suplido. Among the schools that sent representatives were University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, Negros Oriental State University, Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion, FEU-East Asia College, Carlos Hilado Memorial State College of Binalbagan, Sacred Heart Seminary and Lorma Colleges.

At the end of my talk on sportswriting, I asked the students to submit a short piece on their sports hero. Prizes (including a San Antonio Spurs cap, Spurs socks, PBA shirt, Rain Or Shine shirts, La Salle jacket, NBA wristband, Nike 2011 diary) were given for the best 10 entries. Here are excerpts from the first five winning write-ups.

* * * *

First prize: Isabel Monasterio, 18, 2nd Year, Political Science, University of St. La Salle. “I consider my brother my sports hero not because he is a great athlete but because he became the person who opened my eyes to what sports really means. As a little girl, I saw how my brother persevered to the extent of crying just to earn my dad’s approval in basketball. My dad used to be a varsity player so that’s what he wanted for his only son. Unfortunately, my brother is under obesity. So all his life, he has tried losing weight, exercising, jogging as early as 5 a.m., not because it’s what he really wanted. It was all for the love of my dad. I watch him try to shoot free throws, to run as fast as he can even if it means suffering an asthma attack. He does it all just to see a thumbs-up from my dad. That opened my eyes to what sports really is, a metaphor of life, a struggle. That’s what my brother is – an inspiration.”

Second prize: Ryan Gantalao, 19, 3rd Year, Geology, Negros Oriental State University. “A few years ago, a pair of Filipinos dominated badminton in the Asean Games. Kennevic Asuncion and Kenny Asuncion scored a lopsided victory over powerhouse Indonesia and the rest of the participating countries. As an avid fan of the game and a varsity player, I saw in the Asuncions’ triumph a realization that Filipino smashers cannot just only excel in our country. This shows that Filipino athletes if given a chance and full-throttle support from the government, can dominate in every corner of the sports world.”

Third prize: Deo de los Reyes, 20, 3rd Year, Philosophy. Sacred Heart Seminary. “As the seminary bell rings at 4:30 p.m. for recreation time, sports chairman Kent Erdao makes it a habit to call every brother to go down to the basketball court. With broomsticks and rags gathered on one side, after the seminary cleaning is over, he has the responsibility of involving 54 brother seminarians in physical exercises. I believe in what Brother Kent does is an act of love, keeping the brothers healthy and hearty.”

* * * *

Fourth prize: Ferdinand Macalisang, 21, BSEd-BS, CHMSC. “My younger brother is my sports hero. I never appreciated sports until he entered the seminary. My brother is Michael. He loves basketball and also plays chess well. I used to hate sports but he told me everything good about being in sports. He said that the greatest glory is not by winning a game but learning new strategies from the opponents.”

Fifth prize: Jayson Mendoza, 18, BSA. Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion. “I’ve always been a bookworm. All I ever wanted was book and facts. Interest in sports never came into my mind until I saw Michael Jordan. He is one of the greatest legends in the NBA. What amazes me most about him were the struggles he surpassed. He failed a varsity tryout when he was in high school, lost his father, but still garnered multiple MVP awards, a number of the NBA’s historical records and most especially, earned the respect and recognition of fans. He made me realize that sports is never a waste of sweat and time but instead, a vehicle for self-esteem and success.”

The other winners were Kenneth Pael of Negros Oriental State University, Lorevie Joy de la Torre of Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion, Evan Louie Mercado of FEU-East Asia College, Ronald Flores of the University of St. La Salle and Lucino Cordova of the University of St. La Salle.