Marylyn Avila, the runner who fell down and stood even taller

MANILA, Philippines – Getting knocked down is indeed a chance to stand taller.

Marylyn Avila proved just that after winning her 400-meter hurdle in the 2013 Palarong Pambansa in a fashion that showcased just how heroes are made.

For those who witnessed this girl in Dumaguete City, who could ever forget her?

Avila was graduating from high school during the last staging of the Palarong Pambansa. She trained relentlessly for her 100-meter, 400-m, and 800-m hurdles and was ready to give her all in her last Palaro stint. But things took an unexpected turn.

Just a few yards away from the finish line, the Taguig City-native trackster stumbled not once, but twice, prompting the Games’ medical team to stretcher her out of the race.

Physically and emotionally wounded, Avila wept her heart out but made a promise to herself to come back strong. True enough, she showed everyone that giving up was never an option for her as she captured the gold medal in her 400-meter hurdle event and a bronze in the 800-meter run two days later.

Nearly a year has passed since then, but with the memories of that fall and rise are still fresh in her mind. The 17-year-old Avila continues to chase her dreams as she now competes in the biggest collegiate stage in the country, the UAAP, bringing honor to her new home, the Far Eastern University.

Running alongside more experienced and seasoned runners, she brought her wares not only in the college ranks but also in the international scene, bringing pride to the country.

Dream come true

Despite receiving offers from a number of UAAP schools after her Palaro campaign, Avila decided to don the green and gold of Morayta.

“Pangarap ko po talaga kasi mag aral sa FEU, high school palang ako,” the first year Sports and Recreational Management student shared with Rappler.  (It has really been my dream to study in FEU since I was in high school.)

When asked for the reason why she decided to decline the other offers, Avila answered with a smile. “Gusto ko po sa FEU kasi champion team po sila.” (I chose FEU because they are champions.)

The Far Eastern University has been a perennial champion in the UAAP, winning the Men’s and Women’s track and field year in and year out.

And the arrival of a rookie like Avila just strengthened the already solid side as she had already won a bronze in the 100-meter hurdle, the same event where she fell in the Palarong Pambansa.

No matter how good she is though, Avila admitted that she gets really nervous when competing with more experienced athletes.

“Kinakabahan po talaga ako kasi ang lalaki nila tapos ang liit-liit ko. Tsaka syempre po, mga beterano na sila,” she said. (I get nervous because they’re much bigger than me. And of course, they are veteran runners already.)

For flag and country

The thought of representing the country in an international event didn’t cross Avila’s mind the day she tripped from a hurdle and lost her race. But as unimaginable as her fall are, the opportunities that came her way since then.

In fact, the rookie from FEU did not only represent the country, but she won her homeland the gold medal in the Junior Women’s Division 400-meter hurdle at the Thailand Open Track and Field Championships 2013 in Bangkok last September.

The speedy runner clocked in at 1:04.44 s, making all her opponents eat her dust.

“Sobrang saya ko po na ipinadala ako sa ibang bansa. Mas mabigat lang oo ang pressure dahil pangalan na ng bansa ang dala ko,” said Avila of how she felt about the privilege given to her. (I am very happy forbeing sent abroad to compete. There’s only more pressure since I’m already carrying the country’s name.)

Even the UAAP recognized her accomplishments as she was acknowledged as one of the international awardees of FEU in Season 76’s Closing and Awarding Ceremonies at the Century Park Hotel in Manila on March 19.

When asked by Rappler how the young athlete feels about the recognition she’s been receiving, all she could say was that it was unbelievable.

Big dreams start at home

In realizing her dreams little by little, Avila, the youngest among the three siblings, always makes sure she stays grounded and looks back at where she started – at home.

“Sobrang proud nilang lahat sa akin. Pinagmamalaki po nila ako sa lahat ng tao,” Avila said of her family. (They are all proud of me and they brag all about my accomplishments.)

With all the achievements Avila now has under her belt, it’s inevitable that her life would change and according to her, it changed a lot. For the better.

“Dati, simple lang po ang buhay ko. Ngayon po, nakakapunta na po ako sa Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, pati sa ibang bansa,” Avila told Rappler.
(I had a simple life before. But now, I travel all around the Philippines and even abroad.)

With herself as a testimony, Avila believes that all the blessings she has experienced can also happen to other athletes, especially to the grassroots players just like her.

“Ang masasabi ko lang, kailangan din ang mga pagkatalo para mas tumibay tayo sa susunod na mga laban. Huwag lang tayong titigil kasi hindi natin alam kung anong magagandang bagay ang pwedeng mangyari,” she said. (Failures are also necessary so that we can grow stronger. Just don’t stop because we don’t know what great things may happen.)

From Palarong Pambansa, to UAAP, to international competitions. Who knows what’s next for this young runner? The Olympics, perhaps? – Rappler.com