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Grade five learners Jomar and Prince Kyle started as 'pulot boys' at a tennis club in Toril, Davao City.
The tennis ball boys earn a little from ensuring the games are uninterrupted.
But the two tennis ball boys also learned the game — and how to play it well.
In the recent Davao Region Athletic Association Meet 2024, the ‘pulot boys’ won gold.
They played using a secondhand tennis racket and old basketball shoes.
They will represent the Davao Region in the Tennis-Elementary Boys Division in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa 2024 in Cebu City.
Their boys' interest in tennis started around seven years ago.
One day, the two boys saw people playing tennis at the club. It aroused their curiosity.
And it was the same curiosity that became their ticket to become tennis ball boys. This gave them a front-row seat and easy access to observe how the sport is played.
Both learners of Piedad Central Elementary School, the boys asked teacher Cerenia Saratao to coach them.
Both boys showed commitment and dedication to master the sport. Later, the boys were competing for the school.
Saratao said the boys epitomized dedication and grit.
“They would go to my classroom and check about practice schedules,” she said.
Only Prince Kyle got the chance to play at the DAVRAA Meet in 2023, but he could not enter Palarong Pambansa. As a result, they committed to enhancing their technique and effort to compete in both DAVRAA 2024 and Palarong Pambansa.
Saratao knew the boys had the potential to win.
In the end, the boys showed what they had — that hard word brings out the best in people.
The coach also reminded the ‘pulot boys’ to finish their studies.
“Always study hard, focus on your practice kay moabot gyud an time nga makab-ot gyud nila ang ilahang mga gusto, modaog sila.” (Always study hard, focus on your practice dahil darating ang pagkakataon na maaabot ninyo ang inyong gusto, kagaya na lamang ng inyong pagkapanalo.)
“Nalipay ko ug na pressure, kay kulba kay kusog pud among kalaban pud,” (I felt happy and nervous because our opponent was also strong,) Prince Kyle said.
Their story was shared online, and many people were moved by what happened to the athletes.
A couple in Davao City fulfilled the players' dream of having their own tennis shoes and racket.
“Salamat sa inyong suporta sir ug ma’am, Ginoo ray bahala sa inyoha. Thank you, pud kaayo Sir Kenneth ug Ma’am Jenica,” (Thank you, sir and ma’am, especially Sir Kenneth and Ma'am Jenica. God will take care of you,) Prince Kyle added.
“Thank you, pud kaayo Sir Kenneth ug Ma’am Jenica,” (Thank you to Sir Kenneth and Ma’am Jenica,) Jomar said.
The athletes sincerely thanked those who served as instruments in their winning.
“Sa nisuporta sa amoa salamat kaayo, kung wala mo dili pud namo mabuhat ang among kadaugan,” (Thank you to all of the people who helped us, without you, we cannot achieve our goal) Prince Kyle pointed out.
They are also ready to show the capacity of a Dabawenyo athlete.
“Inig abot sa Palaro, mapildi man o modaog so yan ang plano sa Ginoo ato nang dawaton pero ato gyud ipakita sa ilaha ang the best, the best player of Davao Eagles. Yehey!” (When it comes to the Palaro, whether we lose or win, we will accept the Lord's plan, but we will definitely show them the best, the best player of Davao Eagles. Yehey!) Saratao said.
Meanwhile, the Davao City National High School will represent the region in the volleyball boys–secondary division in the Palarong Pambansa.
According to Captain Ball Louisse, with the approaching competition, they should focus more on their shortcomings encountered in the just concluded DAVRAA Meet 2024.
“Praktisan namo ang among mga kulang like sa blockings namo, sa among service kay didto jud mi daghan og error sa blockings namo” (“We need to practice more our blockings and, in our service, because that is where we have a lot of errors,”) Louisse mentioned.
The hearts of many are also touched by the story of the athlete Lorenz 'Soysoy' Datiles.
Seventeen years old from Santo Tomas National High School in the province of Davao del Norte. Despite having damaged shoes, Soysoy gets the gold medal for 100, 200, 400, 4x100, and 4x400 meter relay in track and field games.
Netizens were touched and extended their support to him. This is the second time that Soysoy will compete in the Palarong Pambansa.
The athletes hope that people will continue supporting them until the final day of the 2024 Palarong Pambansa.
The Davao Durians defended their championship this year, obtaining 158 gold medals, 115 silver, and 112 bronze medals. They were also champions from 2016 to 2019 DAVRAA Meet.
It was followed by Tagum City, which obtained 164 medals, and third, the province of Davao del Norte, which won 61 gold medals, 50 silver, and 70 bronze medals.
The opening of DAVRAA Meet 2024 was presided over by Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte, launched at the University of the Philippines -Mindanao Sports Complex in Barangay Mintal, Davao City, on April 1.
In her message, she emphasizes the value of sports to the youth and that DAVRAA Meet 2024 is not just a simple competition. Still, it serves as a place for an athlete to display his talent in the field of sports and also shapes an athlete's perspective and ability.
“So, my dear athletes, seize this moment. Let your passion fuel your journey, and your dreams soar higher than ever. This is your stage, your chance to shine. Embrace the challenge, embrace the journey, and above all, embrace the champion within you. Hangga’t mayroon kayong mga pangarap, walang dahilan upang hindi kayo magpatuloy, magsumikap, magpursigi, at magtagumpay (As long as you have dreams, there is no reason that you will not continue to work hard, persevere, and succeed”) she said.
She also hopes that every athlete will understand the value and meaning of sportsmanship and they will keep all they have learned from the contest.
“Mahalaga na maintindihan ng ating mga atleta na ang paglalaro ay pag develop ng kanilang values ng sportsmanship, dedication at pagdisiplina yun yung pinaka importante sa laha. Hindi ‘yung pagkapanalo, hindi yung natalo pero yung mga natutunan nila na mga lessons doon sa kanilang paglalaro at pag-compete doon sa athletic competitions” (Our athletes need to understand that playing is developing their values of sportsmanship, dedication, and discipline, this is the most important of all. Not winning, not losing, but the lessons they learned from playing and competing in athletic competitions,”) VP Sara stressed.
This year is the fourth time the DAVRAA Meet has been held in Davao City, and more big sports events are expected to be held here in the next years.
Ang mga mag-aaral na nasa baitang lima na sina Jomar at Prince Kyle, labing isang taong gulang, ay nagsimula bilang 'pulot boys' ng tennis ball sa isang court sa Toril, Davao City, at nakuha ang gintong medalya sa Davao Region Athletic Association o DAVRAA Meet 2024.
Sila ang mga atletang kakatawan sa Davao Region Tennis-Elementary Boys Division sa Palarong Pambansa 2024 sa Cebu City.
Noong sila ay anim at pitong taong gulang, nagsimula silang maglaro ng tennis habang tinatanaw ang mga manlalaro sa nasabing court.
Dahil sa kanilang dedikasyong matuto sa larangan ng tennis, lumapit sila sa kay Teacher Cerenia Saratao na isang guro sa Piedad Central Elementary School upang humingi ng tulong at maging tagapagsanay nila sa kanilang paaralan kung saan sila nag-aaral.
Gaya ng sinabi ng guro, ang mga estudyanteng atleta ay pumunta sa kanyang silid-aralan at nagtatanong kung kailan sila magsimula sa kanilang pagsasanay.
Tanging si Prince Kyle lamang ang nabigyan ng pagkakataong makapasok sa DAVRAA Meet noong 2023, ngunit hindi siya nakapasok sa Palarong Pambansa.
Dahil dito, nangako silang pagbutihin pa ang kanilang pagsasanay at pagsisikap upang pareho silang makapasok sa DAVRAA Meet 2024 at Palarong Pambansa.
Binigyan naman sila ng payo ni Saratao na gawin ang kanilang makakaya.
“Always study hard, focus to your practice kay moabot gyud an time nga makab-ot gyud nila ang ilahang mga gusto, modaog sila (Mag-aral at mag ensayo ng mabuti dahil darating ang pagkakataon na maaabot ninyo ang inyong gusto kagaya na lamang ng inyong pagka panalo,)" wika ng guro.
Sa kabila ng pagkakaroon lamang ng secondhand tennis racket at basketball shoes, gayunpaman ay nagawa nilang talunin ang Davao de Oro.
“Nalipay ko ug na pressure, kay kulba kay kusog pud among kalaban pud,” (Nakaramdam ako ng kasiyahan at kaba dahil malakas din ang aming kalaban,)” ayon kay Prince Kyle.
Marami ang naantig sa kwento ng dalawang bata kung saan ito ay nai-post online. Pinagbigyan ng mag-asawa mula sa Davao City ang pangarap ng mga atleta na magkaroon ng sariling tennis shoes at raket.
“Salamat sa inyong suporta sir ug ma’am, Ginoo ray bahala sa inyoha. Thank you, pud kaayo Sir Kenneth ug Ma’am Jenica, (Salamat po sir at ma’am, lalong lalo na kina Sir Kenneth at Ma’am Jenica, Diyos na po ang bahala sa inyo,)" wika ni Prince Kyle.
“Thank you, pud kaayo Sir Kenneth ug Ma’am Jenica,” (Salamat po Sir Kenneth at Ma’am Jenica,)" wika ni Jomar.
Taos-pusong nagpasalamat ang mga atleta sa mga taong nagsisilbing instrumento sa kanilang pagkapanalo.
“Sa nisuporta sa amoa salamat kaayo, kung wala mo dili pud namo mabuhat ang among kadaugan, (Sa lahat po ng sumusuporta sa amin maraming salamat po, ng dahil sa inyo nakamtan namin ang pagkapanalo,)" wika ni Prince Kyle.
Handa na rin nilang ipakita ang kanilang kapasidad bilang isang atletang Dabawenyo.
“Inig abot sa Palaro, mapildi man o modaog so yan ang plano sa Ginoo ato nang dawaton pero ato gyud ipakita sa ilaha ang the best, the best player of Davao Eagles, yehey! (Manalo man o hindi sa Palarong Pambansa 2024, tatanggapin namin dahil naka ayon na ito sa Diyos. Ang importante ay mapakita nila ang pagiging isang best player of Davao Eagles, yehey!)" wika ni Saratao.
Ang Davao City National High School naman ang magiging kinatawan ng rehiyon sa Volleyball Boys–Secondary Division sa Palarong Pambansa.
Ayon sa kanilang Captain Ball na si Louisse, sa nalalapit na kompetisyon, mas pagtuunan nila ng pansin ang kanilang mga naobserbahang pagkukulang sa kanilang laro sa DAVRAA Meet.
“Praktisan namo ang among mga kulang like sa blockings namo, sa among service kay didto jud mi daghan og error sa blockings namo,” (Mas pagtutuunan namin ng ensayo ang aming nakitang kakulangan katulad na lamang ng aming blockings at service,)" wika ni Louisse.
Naantig din ang puso ng marami sa kwento ng atletang si Lorenz 'Soysoy' Datiles.
Labimpitong taong gulang mula sa Santo Tomas National High School sa lalawigan ng Davao del Norte. Nakuha ni Soysoy ang gintong medalya para sa 100, 200, 400, 4x100 at 4x400 meter relay sa track at field game sa kabila ng pagkakaroon ng mga sirang sapatos.
Ipinaabot ng mga netizens ang kanilang tulong sa kanya at ito na ang pangalawang pagkakataon na sasabak si Soysoy sa Palarong Pambansa.
Umaasa ang atleta na patuloy silang susuportahan ng mga tao hanggang sa huling araw ng 2024 Palarong Pambansa.
Ngayong taon, nadepensahan ng Davao Durians ang kanilang kampeonato kung saan nakakuha sila ng 158 gold medals, 115 silver at 112 bronze medals. Naging kampeon din sila mula 2016 hanggang 2019 DAVRAA Meet.
Sinundan ito ng Tagum City na nakakuha ng 164 na medalya at pangatlo, ang lalawigan ng Davao del Norte ay nakakuha ng 61 gintong medalya, 50 pilak at 70 tansong medalya.
Ang pagbubukas ng DAVRAA Meet 2024 ay pinangunahan ni Vice President at Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte na inilunsad sa University of the Philippines-Mindanao Sports Complex sa Barangay Mintal, Davao City, noong Abril a-uno ngayong taon.
Sa kanyang mensahe, binigyang-diin niya ang kahalagahan ng sports sa mga kabataan at ang DAVRAA Meet 2024 ay hindi lamang isang simpleng kompetisyon kundi nagsisilbi itong lugar para ipakita ng isang atleta ang kanyang talento sa larangan ng sports at humuhubog din sa pananaw at kakayahan ng isang atleta.
“So, my dear athletes, seize this moment. Let your passion fuel your journey, and let your dreams soar higher than ever before. This is your stage, your chance to shine. Embrace the challenge, embrace the journey, and above all, embrace the champion within you. Hangga’t mayroon kayong mga pangarap, walang dahilan upang hindi kayo magpatuloy, magsumikap, magpursigi, at magtagumpay,” punto ni VP Sara.
Umaasa rin siya na mauunawaan ng bawat atleta ang kahalagahan at kahulugan ng sportsmanship at baonin ang kanilang mga natutunan sa paligsahan.
“Mahalaga na maintindihan ng ating mga atleta na ang paglalaro ay pag develop ng kanilang values ng sportsmanship, dedication at pagdisiplina yun yung pinaka importante sa laha. Hindi yung pagkapanalo, hindi yung natalo pero yung mga natutunan nila na mga lessons doon sa kanilang paglalaro at pag compete doon sa athletic competitions,” VP Sara stressed out.
Ito na ang ikaapat na pagkakataon na ginanap ang DAVRAA Meet sa Davao City, at umaasa ang lahat na marami pang malalaking sports events ang gaganapin sa lungsod sa mga susunod na taon.