No matter how hard it is, nothing beats a person who has a heart that is filled with inspiration and dedication. Though adversities and pressure are inevitable, an athlete with a proper mindset could hurdle it all.
Milchay Moreno, proud daughter of cocoa farmers Daniel and Marites and caring sister to six siblings, hopes that someday she could deliver the sweetest message to her family: that she finally made it.
The 17-year-old trackster from Marilog District, Davao City endured heartbreaking finishes, none bigger than her loss in the 2024 Palarong Pambansa held in Cebu City.
Instead of quitting, the Davaoeña athlete continued to chase her dreams, hoping one day she could turn heads and receive offers for a UAAP scholarship.
Against her rivals from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, Moreno's faith did pay her a lofty status in the 11th 11th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games in Puerto Princesa, Palawan after she won two golds in 400-meter run and 4x100m relay, and a silver in the 4x100m event.
"Despite the setbacks, I remained focused because I believe this is for my family," said the Grade 12 student from Calinan National High School. "I really wanted to study in Manila and join a UAAP school. Hopefully, in the future, become a national athlete and represent the country."
Moreno, who aspires to enroll as a criminology student, knew she should sacrifice many things and be away from her family. It's a tough decision to make at her young age, but she is determined.
"My coach took me [along with my other teammates] and I haven’t gone home yet for two years because I need to train in a proper oval. We only have farmlands in the province," said Moreno.
Achieving her goal is also a way to help her dad and mom who also sell fruits in the public market.
"They are my inspiration. I always pray to God that I can have my own little way to help them out of poverty," she said.
And with her superb performance in the regional meet where she bannered Philippine Team A (Davao) alongside swimming sisters Lora Micah and Liaa Margarette Amoguis, Philip Sahagun and Paolo Labanon, and taekwondo jin Jamie Danielle Nirza, the future looks bright for these young athletes.
Despite the road being far and narrow, Moreno firmly believes that there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. As the saying goes: "Hard work beats talent if talent doesn't work hard."
“I just keep working for my dreams, and I believe that I can make it there, in God’s will,” Moreno continued.
“No matter how hard it is, someday I’ll be there, and for now, I just wanted to appreciate myself, for always putting a smile on my face and reminding me that nothing is impossible with God,” she added.
And Moreno knows that being true to herself and to others and pushing her to the limits wouldn’t do any harm but instead make her stronger and better than ever.