CAGAYAN de Oro's sea-side barangay of Bonbon is not only known for its rich source of Tamban-Nipa, but also as home of champion athletes in sepak takraw for Northern Mindanao.
And why not.
For almost two decades, Barangay Bonbon has never ceased producing quality sepak takraw players that made the city proud in different sporting meets throughout Region 10.
In 2018 alone, Bonbon's Takraw bets swept the championships in elementary and secondary levels of said competition during the Mindanao Milo Little Olympics, thus bagging also the MVP awards in both categories.
And before the year ended, the Takraw entries of Bonbon Elementary School went on to rule the regional meet in Tangub City that earned for them a slot in the 2019 Palarong Pambansa set to be slated April 27 to May 3 in Davao City.
The same cast that won the Milo Little Olympics were made up of Joshua Pelias, his cousin Ranier Pelias, James Jason Calgas and Panfilo Torres III with Shirley Laurelia as coach and fellow teacher and
husband Ramil Laurelia as trainer.
Their secondary counterparts from Bonbon Nationalized High School were composed of Jerkyle Zarate, Alex Vincent Dora, Mark Anthony Ebrona and Michael Acuña with teacher Jomar Saluna as coach.
Some 15 or 20 years ago, the Bonbon athletes already made a name in regional Palaro sepak takraw event.
“But the second part of Takraw sports development in Bonbon is considered as very special and record-setting kay since 2012 up to 2018 wala nay putol nga ga-represent and Bonbon Elementary School sa regional palaro then, thrice nga nag-qualify sa national students meet or Palarong Pambansa,” said forbearing trainer Laurelia.
Laurelia attributed the feat to constant practice, even as he cited “guest coach” Danilo Jimenez from Xavier University and the alumni of Bonbon elementary's takraw team such as Ian Sadlucap among those instrumental for keeping the fire alive.
“Ga-bisita ga-participate sila sa among practice as sparring partners sa mga bata so, plus factor kaayo sa development,” Laurelia further told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
The team's hard-nosed effort on their “makeshift” takraw courts at school didn't go unnoticed to some public school teachers who value sports as a catalyst for change.
“Daily practice gyod ang main factor nga ga-champion permi ang mga bata kas maskin Saturday and Sunday ga-ensayo gihapon sila,” one Jay Rafael Sogoc, said.
Making it thrice in the national arena, Laurelia said the Bonbon Takraw team's meanest goal now is to bring home the bacon comes the summer Palarong Pambansa in the Durian City of the South.
“Daghan kusog sa national level, but for as long nga apil atong mga bata sa competition adunay chance nga mu-succeed. As usual, daily practice lang gihapon atong weapon,” Laurelia said.