Vicente: Chasing my dreams!

(I am giving way to CINDY ABEGAIL MONTE from Iloilo who have gained scholarship to study here in Baguio because of her skills in the arnis.. - Jayson Vicente)

TO BECOME somebody, you must sacrifice something and take a path and try to follow the directions of life that might lead you to where you want to go, but like most sacrifices ‘easy’ is not one of its attributes.

Decisions are made on what you are willing to set aside even without certainty of that you pursue. My family is something that completes me as a person. They are my backbone, my stronghold and my source of everything that makes me unafraid to face anything life throws at me.

Like an eaglet in a nest, there would come a time that you must spread your tiny wings and try to fly. Of this I am aware and have foreseen to happen sometime in my life. My family would always be there for me but I know I have to find my place in this world so that in time I could also be there for my family. At a young age of 17 who would have thought that I would have the courage to decide for my life especially my studies leaving the comfort of our home and my family into a place away from my hometown?

The idea could not be accepted by my father for almost a year since I have told him that I have met the coaches of the Baguio Arnis All Stars and they have offered to help me to enter in one of the universities in Baguio as an athletic scholar. I never perceived that my passion for arnis would open doors for my future. Many have offered me to be part of their school as a varsity player and a scholar. This delighted me to be given the opportunity to study and do one of my passions. Arnis is a break not everyone is fortunate to be offered with and so I figured this could be my way to help my father, myself and my family.

I have always been close to my father and my family so this idea of studying in Baguio seems so hard to swallow for my father. As they say if you are a girl you are always your fathers’ baby. But after talking to him and making him feel that this will secure my future and that there is nothing to worry about because the people who are willing to help me are people that can be trusted, he finally gave in. But I know that even with that assurance my father still has hesitations but I also know that amidst his heavy heart he will allow me to pursue my dreams. He may not tell me openly but I know that my father is my number one fan.

My interest in arnis started as a hobby and fun activity, until it became my passion because many appreciated and complimented me on how good I am. I see my skills in arnis as my own way to inspire and lure my fellow youth into sports. Being a Sangguniang Kabataan chairman of our barangay, I intend to inspire my fellow youth not knowing that my passion will become a passport to something better. God indeed has His ways, Arnis was a tool for Him to introduce me to people who would make a mark in my life, people whom he have set as my directions in the path that I am choosing. We will not always be in the right path and obstacles will always hinder us from reaching our goals but God will always provide us with directions that if we just follow will always lead us to our rightful destination.

At present, I am still in a stage of adjusting to my new environment, meeting new people and fighting my homesickness, mustering enough will to hold on for the sake of my family. I know they are proud of me and I know I have not been mistaken with my decisions and even while circumstances will sometimes lead me to believe otherwise, I am also confident that God will always have a tool to guide me.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the coaches and players of the Baguio Arnis All Stars for helping me and accepting me as one of your own, and to the University of the Cordilleras who believed in me and took chances on me and my skills, to the people of Baguio whom I will soon represent as part of the Baguio Arnis All Stars, Thank you and God bless!

One thing leads to another; what we establish now will determine our future! –JLV-

God only knows what stage of the path I have taken I am in right now, but no matter how long my journey will be, and no matter how challenging the obstacles are I will not fear, for the signs and directions He has provided me has always lead me to surpass everything. He has led me this far and I know He will lead me farther and closer to my destination. Just like how I triumph in arnis, I will face life with a sure victory because I have people and God with me, then nothing is impossible. For the many young dreamers like me do not be afraid to chase yours know what you want and be better in what you can do this will naturally lead you anywhere with the grace of the Almighty!