3rd year Interior Design

De La Salle College of Saint Benilde

“Who in their right mind would enter a new sport while being a full-time student at the same time?” This was a thought that made me hesitate before I ultimately came down to the decision to do it anyway.

I’m currently a 3rd year interior design student and have been playing ice hockey since 2022, and it was during March 2025 when I decided to transition to short track speed skating in hopes to join the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games). This decision would later teach me more about time management, discipline, expectations, and self-growth.

As an interior design student, I can attest that it is a very time consuming and labor intensive field. This affected my time as an athlete because I would sacrifice training and game days so I can catch up with work. During the early months of 2025, I started getting the hang of organizing my tasks and managing my time more efficiently. This was also the time when I made the transition from ice hockey to short track speed skating.

My mom informed me that there was a recruitment for new athletes to join the Philippine team for short track speed skating to potentially compete in the SEA Games. A spot to compete at the prestigious event was never guaranteed, but I knew after my first training that I wanted to take on this challenge despite all the sacrifices and hard work that go with it. I had a lot to lose but I would have everything to gain.

Next thing I know, I was attending a full load of classes while training five times a week. This tested every fiber of my being. I had to keep track of all my classes, find enough time within each day to work to meet deadlines, commute during rush hours to make it to training, and use the rest of my time to exercise. Rest days were extremely rare. However, within this obstacle, I found myself becoming more efficient in balancing both academics and my sport. I became more disciplined in finishing my tasks and determined in proving myself at training.

I have also learned to manage my expectations because constant effort doesn’t always promise success. There were definitely some failures and disappointment along the way but that only taught me to stay grounded and trust the process. Keeping this mindset made every small win matter the most. Thus, the results awaiting ahead was something I never would have imagined—making the dean’s list and winning bronze in the 3000m women’s relay event at the SEA Games. In the end, I had accomplished what I thought was impossible and had the privilege to carry the country’s flag on an international stage. These achievements made me realize that anything is possible once I put my mind and heart to it. And I feel incredibly proud to carry all the lessons, hardships, and milestones that comes with being a student-athlete.