The Competition Experience

by: Sofi Espejo- Palarong Pambansa player 
Updated: October 29, 2014

 

          Palarong Pambansa is one of the most amazing and dynamic sporting events in an athlete’s life. Being able to participate in a competition as awe striking and prestigious as that, is one of the greatest honours any person can dream of. Getting there was not easy, qualifying for the palaro entailed hard work, hard training and sacrifice. We needed to step up our game and show everyone all that we’ve got.  It was such a surreal experience for me and I was incredibly excited when I learned I was qualified. The NCR team gave nothing but support. They sent us basically all the things we needed to keep playing. In archery, weather conditions don’t matter. It could be extremely cold and wet or extremely hot and humid and we would still be playing. This is what makes the sport challenging. It’s because whatever happens we needed to play, which is why the DepEd officials knew that they had to give us something to keep us going.  They were completely remarkable and wanted only the best for their players.

 

          The Palarong Pambansa was not only a competition but it was also a bridge to bringing people closer together. It is an event wherein everyone practiced friendship and camaraderie. It trained us teenagers how to deal with people outside our circle of friends and taught us how to be mature in handling certain situations. It was such a fun experience because we all met new friends and dealt with different kinds of people. It also taught us how to be one with our teammates and be supportive to them no matter what. To me, it wasn’t just a competition. It was a training ground on how to be mature individuals in our future life. It is definitely something we, the players, will benefit from.  

 

          Obviously, there are also some inconsistencies and faults to the games. There were a few things that I personally, would have rather not had but that didn’t bother me as much because I completely enjoyed my time in the palaro. It shouldn’t bother the other players as well because the pro’s definitely outweigh the con’s.

 

          Everything about the Palarong Pambansa was absolutely astounding. There is completely nothing bad I can say about my experience. Everyone was looking out for each other even if they were competitors. Honestly, that was one of the most striking moments of the games. Everyone was there if they were needed, no one was left out and everyone belonged. Truly, it was a magical and inspiring experience that I would never exchange for in anything in my life.