My Archery Journey

To go or not to go?
Is it a red light or a green light?

Joining Archery competitions and tournaments always excites me but with the 2013 Silliman University Founder's Day Archery Tournament that was held last weekend, August 23 - 25 in Dumaguete City, I had second thoughts of joining. Yes, I should be very excited competing in this tournament because it was in this tournament last year that I experienced my first-ever Archery competition and I won a Silver medal in the qualifying round and a runner-up Trophy in the Olympic round of the Girls Bowman Recurve.

Why was I having second thoughts then? I never had the chance of visiting recently the Cebu Archery Club Range for my practice because I had to focus on my Second Grading exams at CNU-ILS. Without any practice was like going to war without proper training. Another doubt I had was the need for my "weapon" to be upgraded. My Archery set needs upgrading! It has been months already that my 34-lb Hoyt badly needs upgrading. I need to have a 25-inch Riser and a 68-inch 40-lb Limbs but I had to wait for Mom and Dad's "budget" to be available. There are other budget priorities.

Only a few days were left before the competition and I still haven't registered for the competition. Coach Joe, Coach Dondon and the rest of the Cebu Archery Club members encouraged me to join despite the limitations I was facing. Mom and Dad agreed and encouraged that I join.

Friday, August 23, 2103:

We were not prepared for the trip to Dumaguete. Mom had appointments and had to appear in court that day so she cannot accompany me. I have to travel with the rest of the team who are all boys. Mom and Kuya Kevin just dropped me at our meeting place at BTC.

We left early in the morning via landtrip (and RoRo) and reached Dumaguete City at noon. In the afternoon, we had a quick practice at the Dionisio Flores Archery Training Field, beside Col Roman Yap Hall – ROTC Building, Silliman University football field.

I stayed at the Island Leisure Boutique Hotel & Spa Backpakers Pad for the night. It's the same place I stayed at during last year's tourney and the CVIRAA Games,

Saturday, August 24, 2103:

We left early to the Archery Range for the Qualifying Rounds. The members of the Cebu Archery Club Team who competed were:

Recurve Adult Men - Romeo Betache, Jr.
Recurve Junior Boys 16 and below - Vincent Villa, Kaine Casquejo, Miguel Tremedal, Ridenzel Yu
Recurve Junior Girls 16 and below - Chloe Eunice Abad
Recurve Cadet Girls 12 and below - Josephine Vivien Chua

Mom was able to catch up in the qualifying rounds that afternoon. She came with Kuya Kevin and Manong Bobit to see me play and to give me moral support. Ate Gabrielle was not able to join them because she had a school work to do that day.

Sunday, August 25, 2103:

The Olympic Round was held on Sunday. Mom and Kuya Kevin were able to watch me play for the Quarterfinal Round but left for Cebu City before the Semi Finals Round. Kuya Kevin needs to be back early as he got work early Monday morning.

The Awarding Ceremonies followed after the Olympic Rounds.

The Cebu Archery Club reaped the following awards:

Recurve Adult Men

Bronze Medal Qualifying Round - Romeo Betache, Jr.
Trophy - Bronze Olympic Round - Romeo Betache, Jr.

Recurve Junior Boys

Trophy - Gold Olympic Round - Vincent Villa

Recurve Junior Girls

Bronze Medal Qualifying Round - Chloe Eunice Abad

Trophy - Bronze Olympic Round - Chloe Eunice Abad

Monday, August 26, 2103:

Monday was a national day commemorating Ninoy Aquino's death anniverary. It was also a big day in Manila as thousands of protesters joined the One Mllion March to protest and call for the scrapping of the PDAF, other wise known as the Pork Barrel of the Senators and Congressmen.

For us, it was a day to travel back to Cebu City. I was tired but happy because despite my unpreparedness to compete in this Archery Tournament, I was still able to manage a Bronze medal in the Qualifying Rounds and a third place Trophy in the Olympic Round.

Thanks to the support of my family and the Cebu Archery Club coaches and members. Most of all, I would like to thank God for it was faithfulness and grace that carried me through!