Calabarzon table tennis sisters make mama proud in Palaro

TAGUM CITY, Philippines – It’s the perfect gift for Mother’s day.

Calabarzon table tennis siblings Kate Louise, Kaye Denise, and Kaye Alliah Encarnacion have already given their supportive mother a fitting gift for Mother’s Day after all 3 of them played in the 2015 Palarong Pambansa.

The 3 paddlers – all first timers in the Palaro – picked up the sport just for fun.

But it turned out the 3 are also excellent in it as they made it all the way to this year’s annual games, with the full support of their mother. 

“Proud na proud ako tapos parang ‘yung susunod ko pang anak gusto ko ring maglaro sa Palarong Pambansa,” said Marissa Encarnacion.

(I’m very proud of them, and now I think I want my next kid to also play in Palarong Pambansa.)

“Hindi ko akalain na sa simula na biro-biruan ay makakapunta sila dito sa Palarong Pambansa,” the mother said. 

(I didn’t think they would make it this far after trying the sport just for fun).

The eldest, Kate Louise, has already been recruited to play for the University of Santo Tomas table tennis team in the UAAP. She vows to study hard as it is their mother’s ultimate dream in life: to see her daughters finish their studies.

On the other hand, Kate Denise turns grade 9 in the coming school year, and she promises to make the most of out the remaining years she has in high school and to qualify in the next Palaro. 

The youngest of the 3 sisters, Kaye Alliah – an incoming grade 7 student – has also given their mother something to remember: a bronze medal in her Palaro debut.

Encarnacion said she is all-out in supporting her daughters, even going with them during trainings and tournaments.

To see her daughters at peace with each other is more than enough for Encarnacion.

“Kahit hindi Mother’s Day, panalo na sa akin sila. Makita ko lang sila na nagkakasundo ay regalo na sa akin ‘yun,” she said. 

(Even if it’s not Mother’s Day, they’re all winners for me. Seeing them not fighting with each other is already a gift).

The ongoing 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. – Rappler.com