"on a shoestring"

Curious of what I saw on the registration form before the games started, I investigated more. What I saw? The word “SPED” stood out among the teams from La Union, Baguio City, Pampanga and Bontoc.

SPED means Special Education. A school that specializes in the training of special kids with special needs. My friend Wiki says that, “Common special needs include challenges with learning, communication challenges, emotional and behavioral disorders, physical disabilities, and developmental disorders.” So I got excited with the story and I wanted to meet the students, I was expecting deaf or mute (or blind?) competing for Archery but I was wrong. These 7 kids from Baguio City SPED Center were on the other extreme- those who have high IQ, fast learners, above average. Genius, in short. Most of them are mathematicians in their own right.

And because they love mathematics and computing, they readily apply this to shooting. I actually noticed that they approach the target from a different angle. They are computing the wind and curves of the arrow. Whew! Far different from more than 60 archers who joined the Archery event.

Parents of SPED kids: Federico, Franklin, Johnny

I was able to interview some of them, I also included what their parents can say about the sports they chose. Here I highlight the parental support ‘coz without them these kids would not be here. Asking them the REASON why they do this to their kids, here’s what they can say:

-Mr. Franklin Espiritu. “Hilig ko narin itong sports na ito at gustong-gusto din ng mga bata.” (I like this sports and the kids like it very much). He also shared to me that they started shooting 3 years ago. Its good that they can practice even as kids.

-Mr. Federico Balanon‘s son Jasper said that he was thankful to his parents. He always wanted to bring a medal home so that his parents would be proud. He adds that it lessens their stress. Mr. Federico says he fully supports his kid, he even temporarily left the business to watch the game.

SPED Archers from Baguio City SPED Center

-Mr. Johnny Daliling Jr‘s desire to watch the games led him to go straight from work (even after a 24-hour shift as a medtech) to the Baguio City Athletic Bowl. He shares to me that archery has become their father-son bonding time. They play archery together and even made petty bets to it. Before his son Johnny III always loses but now, his son can beat him already.

Young Archers Angela & Lajayna

Meanwhile, I saw these two young archers- Lajayna Digermo (7 years old from University of Baguio) and Angela Villamor (10 years old from St. Louis University Baguio), they are the two youngest archers that joined the Batang Pinoy Games (Northern Luzon Leg) in Baguio City. Reminds me of the innocent-looking gold medalist from Dumaguete City- Mizzy Merto.

Angela and Lajayna dwarfed by the older archers

This is what Batang Pinoy means- when young kids from the grassroots level compete on the regional level. Where young athletes are given the opportunity to show their skills and hone their talents. Lajayna’s mom told me that they are not used to this (18 meters away from the target) because they compete only on the human level (9 years old-below; 15 meters away from the target). But this is a good preparation for them.

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Batang Pinoy Games 2011  is a grass-roots development program organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to identify young talents to be trained for the national pool of athletes. Mindanao leg was hosted by Zamboanga City (Oct 17-30); Visayas leg was hosted by Dumaguete City (Nov 10-13); Northern Luzon leg by Baguio City (Nov 24-27); Southern Luzon by Sta. Cruz City (Dec 4-7); NCR leg (Nov 29 – Dec 2); and the Finals will be held at Naga City on December 10-13, 2011.

Official website: Batang Pinoy 2011

Facebook Page: Batang Pinoy (PSC Grassroots Program)