Cagayan Valley tankers defy lack of training facilities

Michael Angelo Jugado

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Cagayan Valley tankers defy lack of training facilities
'Our province only has one swimming pool...Most of the time, we train in rivers and seas,' says high school swimmer Roselle Raquiño

TAGUM CITY, Philippines – Despite coming from a place where swimming pools are a scarcity, 3 Cagayan Valley Region swimmers are undaunted by the tall odds.

The 3 secondary lady tankers from Cagayan Valley said it is difficult for them to train because their province only has one swimming pool. 

“Madalas po sa dagat at ilog kami nagtre-train,” said Roselle Raquiño. (Most of the time, we train in seas and rivers.)

The 3 said the distance of the only legitimate pool is their biggest challenge. But this does not matter for the determined Cagayan Valley swimmers. They brace the heat and take the 2-hour journey to their province’s sports complex regularly.

Not giving up

Among the 3 tankers, Layca Berido has the most Palarong Pambansa experience, having been into the annual sports event 4 times. But she has not won any medal.

She vows to give it a good shot on her last attempt.

“Lalaban din po ako kasi last ko na ito,” said Berido. (I will give it my best since it is my last try.)

Meanwhile, Hazel Anne Morana believes her time to win in the Palaro will come.

“Makapag-final lang po ako ngayon masaya na ako. Alam ko naman po na darating din time ko (to win),” said Morana.

Getting incentives for winning in the regional meet and the Palaro is also an additional motivation for the girls, especially since their parents are currently jobless.

“Ang swimming po kasi individual (sport), kaya kapag nanalo ka para sa Palaro may incentive,” said Morana.

The Palarong Pambansa is the largest grassroots sporting event in the Philippines that aims to develop the potentials of the youth to become responsible and globally competitive citizens. It brings together young athletes from 17 regions to compete in 17 sports events.

The 3 swimmers will dive into the swimming pool on Thursday with high hopes of winning for their families and for Cagayan Valley. After all their hard training, they aren’t leaving anything to chance. – Rappler.com

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