Baguio City volleybelle walks her talk in Palaro

TAGUM CITY, Philippines – For Cordillera Administrative Region high school volleyball player Mary Ann Atuban, the show must go on.

After her team was booted out of contention in the 2015 Palarong Pambansa, the 16-year-old lanky lass shifts her attention to playing beach volleyball—a demo sport first played in this year’s Palaro—and just make the most out of it.

She has played 6 times in the Palaro, after all.

Although winning a gold medal is the ultimate goal of every athlete, what else can she ask for?

No regrets, just play

“Part po ako ng volleyball indoor team. Medyo minalas po nung last game kaya nalaglag po kami,” said Atuban.

(I’m part of the volleyball indoor team. We just got unlucky and we did not qualify for the next round).

Atuban, a native of Baguio City, also shared more than the number of places she had visited in playing in the annual sporting event for 6 times, it is the maturity and sense of responsibility she gained—more than anything else—that matter most.

“Tatanda at tatanda din tayo, part lang ng life natin ang volleyball. Sa Palaro experience ko, mas naging matured ako at responsible na athlete at tao dahil dito,” quipped Atuban.

(We will eventually grow old and volleyball is just a part of our life. In my Palaro experience, I became more matured and I became more responsible as an athlete and individual because of this).

And a good way of proving she walks her talk is when Atuban, without a heavy heart, accepted her team’s exit in the Palarong Pambansa.

This lady will not ever get the chance to play and win any medal in the Palaro again.

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.

“6th Palaro ko na po ito since elementary ako wala akong naiuwing medal pero ganun po talaga,” said the 5’6” open hitter.

(It’s my 6th and last Palaro since elementary and I have not won any medal but that is how it goes).

Is winning really everything?

In Atuban’s case, it is not as long as she learned valuable things in life, going beyond sports.

Atuban ran fast to the beach sands of Paradise Island and beach Resort as CAR’s match was about to start.

The show must go on. – Rappler.com