Nobody from my classmates at the Cebu Normal University Integrated Laboratory School knew that I was participating at the 22nd Cebu City Olympics 2012 on November 8 - 11, 2012. They only learned about it a couple of days before the competition. It was only when I asked permission from my teachers to excuse me from class so I can practice that my Grade 7 classmates came to know that I am playing Archery. Many of them were surprised to learn that I will compete in the Archery for Girls.
The Archery Competition was held at the Don Carlos A. Gothong National High School in Labangon, Cebu City. The schedule of my games were:
- November 8 pm - 30 meters Recurved Bow for Girls
- November 9 am - 40 meters Recurved Bow for Girls
- November 9 pm - 50 meters Recurved Bow for Girls
- November 10 am - 60 meters Recurved Bow for Girls
- November 10 pm - Olympic Round 50 meters
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| Mom and Ate Gabrielle were not around during the Archery Competition so when they arrived at the house that early morning of Monday, November 12, 2012, I hurriedly put on the 6 medals I won and greeted them at the door. After that quick welcome, I had to hurry up and change into my school uniform so I won't be late for class at CNU-ILS. |
All Cebu City Schools with an Archery Program joined in the competition. Most likely, I was the youngest among the girls, but I wasn't the smallest... :-). Archers from Gothong National High School, the perennial winners were there. Archers from Cebu City National Science High School, Mom and Ate Gabrielle's Alma Mater were also there to compete. There were other schools too.
No one from my family was around during the Competition. Mom was out of town and could not be available because of earlier commitments. My Ate Gabrielle was in Malaysia and Singapore, a sem-break travel reward she got from my parents for landing in the Dean's List for the first semester at UP College Cebu. Kuya Kevin was also busy in his photography and outreach activities. Dad who is in Saudi Arabia was the one getting in touch with me and Ate Fe to give updates to everyone in the family. Ate Fe was there to attend to my needs, cheering every time an arrow is released. At times she even considered herself as the coach... hahaha. Thank you Ate Fe for the full-time support.
Despite the absence of my family during the competition, my Cebu Archery Club (CAC) family was there to support me all the way. Coach Jose Jesus Paolo Montalvan, who believed that I could have swept all the events, was there to patiently coach and encourage me when my shots were getting out of control and focus. Atty. Donato Villa and his wife, Tita Josephine were like my parents during the competition. They were there to support Vincent "Vince" Villa who also competed in the Boys Division representing Maria Montessori International School - Cebu. Vince also qualified to compete at the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) competition to be held in Dumaguete City, Negros Occidental on December 2 - 8, 2012.
It was indeed a great experience for me to compete considering the limited period of 6-months Archery training with the Cebu Archery Club. I'm glad that after the 3-day competition, I got the following medals:
- Gold Medal - 60 meters Recurved Bow for Girls
- Silver Medal - Overall Round - Recurved Bow for Girls
- Silver Medal - 30 meters Recurved Bow for Girls
- Silver Medal - 40 meters Recurved Bow for Girls
- Bronze Medal - 50 meters Recurved Bow for Girls
- Bronze Medal - Recurved Bow - Mixed (with Vince Villa)
I just praise and thank the Lord for the skills and talent He has gifted me. I will continue to harness and develop it to bring glory and honor to Him, to my family, and to my Archery Club.
I will be practicing more intensively during the next few weeks in preparation for the 2012 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) competition to be held in Dumaguete City, Negros Occidental on December 2 - 8, 2012. There will be others from the Cebu Archery Club who will be there too, like Karwin Go Perez, the Olympic-round gold medalist for Recurved Boys during the Mandaue City Olympics 2012. We also wanted to join in the Batang Pinoy National Games to be held in Iloilo City but there is a conflict in the schedule with CVIRAA. Both Games will be held simultaneously. Other archers from the Cebu Archery Club who are not participating in CVIRAA will compete in the Batang Pinoy National Games. Wishing all the best to CAC archers!
Photos - courtesy of Atty. Donato Villa from the Cebu Archery Club Facebook Page.
