Gopez: Remembering Yan Lariba

BACK in high school, I got to know Ian as that girl from the honor's class who won gold medals at competitions here and abroad. And while she trained hard for games, she still excelled academically and even had time for organizations and spiritual retreats where we got to work closely together. She was a silent worker, a leader who led by example and with pure humility. Years passed and we got to follow her collegiate career on TV and social media. She finished her University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) stint strong and undefeated. Yan spread her wings, soared high and held our Philippine flag up in Rio as she became the first Filipina table tennis player to ever qualify in the Olympics.

When she came home to visit years ago, I got to see her Olympic tattoo and asked if it hurt to have it done. She was only supposed to get her high school yearbook and pay a quick visit to her old school. But there was a frenzy as she got invited to the gym where the grade school pupil were having their intramural games. She got to stay for hours, gladly obliging to every giddy kid and proud teacher wanting a selfie with the Olympian.

She flashed me the same sweet smile, seemingly shy that I noticed her tattoo. She totally deserved to wear all the esteem and pride she worked so hard for all these years. She has given so much honor to her family, her friends, her schools, to our small city, to our country. She deserved it all. But there she was, the same old Yanyan, clad in plain clothes, sporting a messy bob, smiling at children who dream to be just like her someday.

I am glad my last memory of Yanyan was in the same place I had the privilege to have known such a beautiful soul. 23 years may be a life short-lived for some, but I could only dream to have lived like her when my time finally comes.

Thank you for fighting a good fight, Yan Lariba. You will always be an inspiration.