Thursday, May 10, 2012

John Paul Lawrence Cabido: A Hero in His Own Self

 "Enriching sports development  beyond diversity, history will transcend..." (adapted from the Kalilangan GenSan festival's theme)
I was never into sports when I was a child.   Believe it or not, my sports when I was in elementary  was Patintero and Piko, if that would be considered sports.   Even when I became a parent,  I didn't put much emphasis on having my kids  pushed into seriously be a part of any sports.  Though I did enroll them in swimming lessons, I did not really give deeper thoughts on sending them to any sports events.  Though my eldest, Darren have the capability to be one- graduating as an MVP for Water Polo at their school's meet- I just let him be, without any pressure whether he would want to continue it in college or not.   Maybe I lack something as a parent, maybe he could be one of those participants I came to witness at the Lingayen Palarong Pambansa, maybe something could have motivated or unmotivated him not to be that determined.

Last Monday was the grandiose opening of the 2012 Palarong Pambansa in Linagyen.   It was an honor for me to have found myself in the crowd of excitement and awe.   Being a spectator for the first time of Palaro made this such a memorable one and will always be part of my heart.   Indeed, the day opened up in heat but the athletes and participants of the day did not seem to mind. In full gear, they were ready to battle it all. 
It was at the People's Astrodome in the nearby Dagupan, when a singe of fire came to me, an interest on having my youngest daughter, Danica (7 yrs. old) sent to a gymnastic school or workshop.  She is built for it I guess, she had the courage to face learning to tumble, pinwheels, and stretches.   Here is a video I took with one of the athletes doing rhythmic floor exercises, to show to my Danica.   I'm sure she would have love to learn those moves. 

But what really had me was the personal encounter with a few of the athletes.   I have found myself  wanting to be one of the parents cheering for their beloved kids chancing for gold.  I know for a fact that to be one of the contenders here, one will have to undergo strict screening from the officials and of course  a lifetime of learning and training.  
But you know what,  you can somehow  see the diversity here, but when they  compete  one thing is uniform,  what would be obvious is their determination to win.  An  athlete would have to have the mind-set of a champion to win.   According to Spencer Wood M.S., C.S.C.S., P.E.S., (An internationally renowned speaker, author and trainer of athletes and coaches in the area of Winning Mental Skills & Toughness Training. A featured speaker at events such as the NCAA.)  athletes should think this way- "a hero to themselves."  
So how can an athlete  be one, amidst the pain and lack they might have undergone during training?  Let us learn from  JOHN PAUL LAWRENCE CABIDO.   This 11 year-old boy, was born with physical defect, with a right arm shorter and less dexterous.   He is one of  Region 12's bet, hailing from Pacquio's hometown Dadiangas, now known as General SantosCity.  Coming from a public school, the facility can be questionable.   According to shy Lawrence, they only practice on  piles of straws (dried long grasses), since they don't have rubberized nor padded floor mats, but he loves doing it for the sake of  tumbling around and eye on the prize.   According to his father,  he is always present at their practice at school, along with his older sister who was also an athlete under the same sport.  
What surprised me was that he won silver medal for the Men's Artistic Gymnastics in the Elementary level.  So who says that physical deformities or disabilities can bring one down in the content of  winning.  Looking beyond self-esteem, lack of proper materials for training, but complete with support from the family, determination and commitment, anyone, yes even with disabilities, can be a champ, and thus proclaimed a hero in his league!   Kudos to you Lawrence and to all the athletes who have fought  well and to others still fighting for championships!  



6 comments:

  1. we all felt a pinch in our heart when we were with John Paul. i'm so much awe by his determination to compete and win. for his family and his school. truly every inspiring story and you captured it all in your writing. Thank you so much . God bless you.

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    1. Yes, I try so hard to keep the "awa" and prayed silently for him. I know he will go a long, long way, susubaybayan ko ang pagpanalo nya ulit next year's Palarong Pambansa! Let's all learn from kids like him! Awesome determination!

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  2. It was my frustration to become an athlete as I was never into any sports though I have a sister and niece who were athletes themselves and had experiences of playing in competitions. I therefore planned to honed my son into any sport that might interest him later.

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    1. We both are , hhehe, there is still hope with your son.

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  3. Hi I would like to know if you have any contact number of John Paul or his coach. Thanks.

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    1. Will look for it! Kindly check this post every now and then, will post it here! Or you may want to e-mail me your contacts as well at djx2mom@yahoo.com

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