FOR the past 23 years, SunStar Davao has lived by its commitment to chronicle the journey of success of Dabawenyos including the athletes.
Most of the Davao region athletes chronicled by SunStar Davao from the start of their careers even as young children have become stars in their respective fields and have started to play vital roles in the national teams or in their varsity squads.
Some, however, raised the bar as they have been competing internationally and brought honor and pride to the country.
Asian Games 2014 silver medalist Charly Suarez, who hails from Sawata, Davao del Norte, said, "I thank God because SunStar Davao is part of my boxing career for how many years and helped me to share all the people of Davao about my fights for the country. Maraming salamat sa walang sawang suporta."
BIMP-Eaga Friendship Games men's beach volleyball gold medalist Calvin Sarte, for his part, said that it is but a bonus to be featured in SunStar Davao.
"Naghatag sya og dugang na motivation sa akoa para maging maayo pa na player kay happy ko na mashare og mahibal-an nga naa gyud diay anihon if magsacrifice lang (It motivates me more to improve as a player because I'm glad that I get to share that there are fruits in sacrifices)," Sarte said.
Former Aiba Women's World Boxing silver medalist Nesthy Alcayde Petecio reminisced how she started as an amateur boxer in Davao City and SunStar Davao was there to chronicle it.
"Dako kaayong tabang og dungog sa akong pamilya sukad na feature ko sa SunStar Davao kay diha nagstart ang akoang journey bilang atleta nga isa ko sa nagahatag og dungog sa Pilipinas bilang myembro sa Philippine boxing team (SunStar Davao has been a great help to me and my family since I started my journey as one who gives honor to the country being a member of the national boxing team)," she said.
Bemedaled De La Salle University varsity tennis player Jenni Celine Dizon, meanwhile, said the paper played a major role in her journey as an athlete. "It showcased my tournament highlights since I was still a kid and until now I'm already in college. SunStar Davao was always there to acknowledge my victories and it served as a proof for me to cherish."
All SunStar stories about her are either framed or kept in albums. "Thanks to SunStar Davao who was always there to capture the best moments in my tennis career."
Fellow DSLU athlete Jed Ramos Diamante also said the community newspaper has documented his football journey including his most memorable experiences.
He said, "It gave me and other athletes opportunities for our stories to be shared in the hope of inspiring the hearts of our fellow Dabawenyos."
Bemedaled multi-athlete Sydney Tancontian, a judoka, wrestler, sumo and jiujitsu athlete rolled into one, who is a varsity player at the University of Sto. Tomas, said: "SunStar was there eversince I was an eight-year-old and they saw me grow and slowly achieving my dreams." She has so far won a wrestling bronze in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games among other international titles.
SEA Games wakeboarding bronze winner Maiquel Jawn "Mikee" Teh Selga also thanked Sun.Star Davao as being always there to support her and recognize her talents and achievements. "SunStar really helped me grow as an athlete."
International master (IM) John Marvin Miciano also said, "SunStar Davao really inspires me knowing that other people recognize my achievements and it challenges me to train more to be better. It is also an instrument to propagate the results of my hardships in my determination to attain my dream of becoming a grand master."
SEA Games judo veteran Jennilou Mosqueda, for her part, is thankful that SunStar Davao took time to feature her, "even though I am not that famous. It helped a lot in recognizing my sacrifices and efforts".
These are only few of the many athletes the multi-media company has been reaching out to.
Amid media's digital evolution, SunStar Davao will continue to be there to share their struggles and victories.