Hero's welcome awaits Oro's pride

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

A HERO'S welcome awaits Cagayan de Oro pride Shaneen Ched Hembrador Sia, who made the country proud in the ongoing 2011 South East Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The 19-year-old Sia, who finished her secondary years at Barangay Kauswagan's International School and is currently a varsity athlete of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), teamed up with Marvin Gabriel in winning the silver of taekwondo's Open Poomsae Pairs event.

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This, as the bemedalled trio of Rani Ann Ortega, Camille Alarilla and Janice Lagman got the expected gold in the Women's Poomsae Team.

Altogether, the Philippine jins garnered a total of 4 golds, 3 silvers and 5 bronzes in Seag Meet's taekwondo competition.

And right away, heaps of seemingly endless praises and congratulatory remarks flooded Sia's Facebook account.

"With much joy and pride, the University of Santo Tomas congratulates UST Jins Vidal Marvin Cabasal Gabriel and Shaneen Ched Hembrador Sia for bagging the silver medal in the Taekwondo Mixed Pair Poomsae event in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia. Go USTe!"

Rhona Canoy, administration head of International School where Sia graduated as valedictorian, posted these words: "We're all so happy for you. Our IS family is very proud of your accomplishments."

One Paupau Aba even gladly informed her "you were featured sa TV Patrol here in CDO Shan. Congrats!"

Madam Cheryl, who is also drawing inspiring notes for her being a very supportive mother, told Sun.Star via Facebook that they'll be arriving in Cagayan de Oro City on Sunday.

"Shaneen is very focused on her study. Me and her dad (Eddie) are very happy nga iyang na-balance ang sports and academics," the elder Sia said.

The taekwondo team also won a total of four golds in the 2009 edition of the games in Laos.