Koronadal archer goes for back-to-back titles

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Truth be told, the sport of archery really requires a lot of money.

A bow alone costs a whopping P30, 000. And that is just for the bow.

But for SOCCSKSARGEN’s archery queen Kathy Rose Vilbar, money is not a hindrance if you have the fighting heart to excel in archery — a sport that is not so popular in this basketball-crazy country.

Vilbar bagged the gold in archery (Olympic round) in the 2012 edition of the Palarong Pambansa in Lingayen, Pangasinan and now she’s raring to shoot for the gold once more, for one last time and put an end to her Palaro career with a bang.

 ‘Karton’ instead of target bat

The Koronadal City native admits that in training, they lack facilities and equipments, such as the target bat — the target you have to hit in archery.

“Kulang talaga kami sa gamit, wala nga kaming target bat, sa karton na lang. We practice after class, five times a week,” said the lanky Vilbar. “Humihiram lang kami ng gamit sa coach namin sa practice and even dito sa Palaro.” 

Vilbar also said that the environment plays a vital part in archery, noting that when the climate is not windy, chances of hitting the target becomes easy.

“Sa amin kasi, hindi malakas ang hangin at advantage ‘yun,” added the archer who finished high school this March.

Future in limbo

Vilbar, aside from copping the gold in last year’s annual joust, also competed internationally, admitted that she wants to go to Manila to look for greener pastures but her parents would not allow her.

“Gusto ko sanang pumunta sa Manila for my college education, pero ayaw ng magulang ko, ayaw kasi nila akong malayo.”

With her last appearance in the Palarong Pambansa looming in the horizon, Vilbar wants to go out as a winner and bring home the proverbial bacon for her dear Region 12.

“Masaya na may nakuha akong medal last year, this year, gusto ko pang makakuha ng medal,” Vilbar said. – Rappler.com