Palaro transformer: Pulot girl to tennis player

TAGUM CITY, Philippines – Almost everyday, Mikaela Javier wakes up early to go to the tennis court near their home and endures the scorching heat.

The Isabella-native Javier usually arrives before everybody else and uses this time to warm up. After a few minutes, people start coming in.

The game is about to start.

This time, Mikaela steps out of the tennis court as she watches the match unfold, awaiting for the ball to land on the ground.

“Namumulot lang ako ng bola,” admitted Javier. “Hindi naman talaga ako kasali sa laro.”

(I pick up the balls. I’m not really a part of the game).

It never occurred to Javier’s mind she would one day learn how to play the sport – all she ever wanted was to earn enough money for her school allowance.

“Gusto ko lang naman magkaroon ng trabaho,” the 15-year old Javier said. “Buti sinabi sa akin ng mga pinsan ko yun kasi doon ako kumukuha ng allowance.”

(All I wanted was to have a job. Fortunately, my cousins told me about it and now I get my allowance from picking up balls).

True enough, Mikaela might have not fancied to become a tennis player but to everyone’s surpirse, the sport picked her and there was nothing she could do about it.

The transition

Javier, who just graduated from high school last March, didn’t know she had a natural talent for tennis until she met her coach.

“May nagtanong lang sa akin noon kung gusto ko ba matuto,” said Javier. “Tapos bigla ako naging interesado at naging coach ko na siya.”

(Somebody just asked me if I wanted to learn how to play. Then I got interested and that person became my coach).

From the moment she held a racket, Mikaela was unable to let it go. Everyday she wakes up early to go to the same old tennis court – only this time around, Javier bids good bye to her old routine of picking up balls.

“Sobrang saya ko na binigyan ako ng raketa at sapatos nung coach ko at hindi na ako tumigil simula noon,” shared Javier. “Pumupunta na ako sa court para magtraining sa mga competitions.”

(I was so happy when my coach gave me a pair of shoes and a racket. Since then I didn’t stop and went to the court to train for competitions).

After several months of training, Javier participated in various tournaments until she qualified for her first-ever Palarong Pambansa last 2011.

Despite the medal drought all throughtout her journey in the biggest grassroots multi-sporting event of the country, Mikaela is still grateful for all the unforgettable experiences she had.

“Thankful ako kasi na-experience ko yung mga bagay na hindi ko alam pwede ko pala maranasan,” quipped Javier. “Naiisip ko na dati taga-pulot lang ako pero ngayon ako na yung naglalaro.”

(I am thankful because I experienced these things that I never thought would happen to me. Before, I was just picking up after players. Now, I’m the one playing).

And with a smile on her face, she said, “Blessing ito sa akin ni God.”

(This is a blessing from God).

"Pulot girl" turned into tennis player Ela Javier has an advice to fellow athletes. #FacesOfPalaro #Palaro2015 pic.twitter.com/Iwvi89oB50

— Alexx Sparks (@thegrreatxx) May 8, 2015

 

All for family

Without a doubt, tennis has done countless things for Javier but one of the many things she is most thankful for is ability to help her family through the sport.

“Importante ang tennis sa akin kasi nakakatulong ako sa pamilya ko,” shared Javier who is the eldest among 4 siblings. “Natuto akong maging matatag dahil dito.”

(Tennis is important to me because through it I am able to help my family. I also became strong because of it).

One experience she could never forget was when Mikaela won her first tournament. The moment she received the cash prize, all she ever thought was making her family extra happy that day.

“Bumili ako ng electric fan at masarap na pagkain nung araw na yun,” Javier said. “Pinambayad rin namin sa kuryente yung premyo ko.”

(I bought an electric fan and treated my family a delicious meal that day. We also used the cash prize to pay for our electricity bill).

With her conspicuous skills, Mikaela attracted scouts who would recruit her to colleges like Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Rizal Technological University. But even with the offers, she chose to stay close to her family.

“Mas kailangan ako ng pamilya ko dito,” Javier, who will be studying in Isabela State Unviersity, said. “Ayaw rin nila na malayo ako sa kanila.”

(My family needs me more and they don’t want me to be far away from them).

Mikaela, even without medals dangling on her neck, is filled with pride knowing she embodies that can inspire other people to believe anything is possible. – Rappler.com