FOR learner-athletes, reaching the National Games (Palaro) is a dream because apart from the chance to represent their region, there are also many opportunities waiting for them especially if they can take home a medal.
“Because of sports, I was given a scholarship here at NU. This is one of the biggest help to me and my family.”
If so for Van Alexander Obejas, a student-athlete from Tacloban, Leyte, it’s a big blessing that he bagged a medal before.
He started entering the National Games in 2017 held in Antique. Though he didn’t get a medal in the first Palaro competition, this was not a hindrance for him to start earning medals for Eastern Visayas in the coming years.
In the 2018 National Games held in Vigan, Van won the Bronze Medal in 110-meter hurdles and in 2019 in Davao, he won the Silver Medal in 400-meter hindles and Gold Medal in 110-Meter hurdles.
According to him, this is his most memorable Palaro experience—his first career gold medal.
“[What I will not forget in the National Game] is that I wore gold because it was three years [in the making], eh. In 2018, bronze, then in 2019 the first ever gold medal. Because of that, many blessings and opportunities have come.”
He added, since he was a podium finisher in the National Games before, the National University has started approaching for him to be given a college scholarship and to play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
For Van, being a student-athlete is not easy, however, it has provided many lessons, opportunities, and blessings to him and his family.
“Because of sports, I learned to balance and manage my time because like that, student-athlete, you need to manage your time in training and also in class.”
Currently, Van is taking up a BS Civil Engineering course and has been playing in the Athletics Team of the said university for four years. In the just concluded UAAP Season 86, Van bagged two Gold Medals from the 110-meter hurdles and 4×400 meter relay and two Silver Medals from the 4×100 meter relay and 400-meter hurdle which is a big part for National University to become the UAAP Men’s Athletics Division champion Season 86.
