IT WAS 2 p.m. when I visited this young, dynamic and multi-awarded taekwondo player at the MTM (More Than Medals) Taekwondo gymnasium to do this interview before he moves to Cebu City to attend school.

Meet Glenn Francis Gacal, 16, a gold medalist in the Palarong Pambansa 2009 held in Tacloban City and an awardee of Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for exceptional display of skills, knowledge, and determination in attaining greater heights of achievement not only for his school, but also for his community.

"The Manny Pacquiao Blog". Click here for stories and updates on the Filipino boxing champ.

Glenn claimed he's never been the same since he started joining taekwondo sessions and trainings three years ago.

Character building, self-confidence, and discipline are just among of the characters that Glenn has earned from his favorite sports, not to mention the countless awards he has received from 2006 up to the present.

Born to lawyer Francisco "Bong" Gacal and Glenda Esteban-Gacal, and eldest among four siblings, Glenn, nicknamed "Isko" by family and friends, finished his secondary education at the General Santos City Hope Christian School this year.

He's aiming to finish an accountancy course at San Carlos University in Cebu City where he is currently enrolled as a freshman.

Getting into taekwondo is less than a hobby for Glenn when his father decided to enroll him and his other two younger brothers -- Franc Nicole, 14, and Decter Dale, 12 -- during the summer of 2006 at the MTM Taekwondo Gymnasium. But he learned to love the sports when he gradually earned recognition through joining in several competitions and reaping honors.

"Actually, hindi lang taekwondo ang pinasok ko, I also tried other sports like swimming, basketball, and badminton, but I just learned to love taekwondo," said Glenn.

He said he started to join local taekwondo competitions in different parts of the country. His first competition made him a gold medalist.

Last year, Glenn was qualified to play for the Palarong Pambansa where he was awarded with a silver medal. This year was one of his most memorable years as he reaped another gold medal during the recent Palarong Pambansa in Tacloban City.

Isko said through playing taekwondo, his faith in the Lord has been strengthened because he used to pray before and after his competitions. His character was further enhanced, gaining much self-confidence, determination, and patience.

"But overall, I could say that I was able to learn and know the true meaning of hard work," the young boy said.

Being a player, he learned to accept defeat, which he said is one of the most important things to learn because there will be times when you failed even if you already gave your best.

"As an athlete, accepting defeat is one step in order to learn," he said.

He realized that he wants to attain something through playing taekwondo during the time when his coach Filmar Marquizo asked him what his goal of pursuing his taekwondo lessons was.

"I told my coach that I want to be qualified for the Palarong Pambansa; that was in 2008. When I was qualified and I already reaped a silver medal, my coach again asked me, what's my plan why I pursue my trainings, and I said, I want to reap a gold medal and I want to prove something to myself," he said.

Now that he is a gold medalist and already a blackbelter, Glenn hopes he can someday be one of the country's representative to the SEA Games and be qualified for the Olympics.

But entering into college would mean he will be more focused with his studies. He said he has decided not to join in competitions, but claimed that he will continue his trainings.

It was learned that big and famous universities in Metro Manila have already offered Glenn scholarship grants, but he refused. His mother, Glenda, advised him to give enough time for his studies because it is more important than anything.

Glenda, on the other hand, said she never regretted when Glenn and her other two children were enrolled in taekwondo, saying it's more on enhancing the personality of her children.

"In every competition, andun kaming pamilya, halos nalibot na nga namin ang Pilipinas. As parents, we give all the support to our children. We really try to know kung saan sila nag-i-excel. But I was the one who influenced Glenn to stop from joining competitions when he enters college so he can focus with his studies. Future niya yun and we want him to concentrate muna with his studies," she said.