AFFECTED by the on-going pandemic, all student-athletes nationwide have been put on hold from training and playing on campus. However, it is also admirable to see how they cope up with the new online learning system by staying fit. Listed below are some examples of how these Bedan student-athletes adjusted their training routines to keep themselves motivated and focused amidst  the pandemic.

Volleyball: Jewel Rain Bolaños

Jewel Rain Bolaños (IV-BSP) is an all-around spiker (outside & opposite spiker, center middle spiker/blocker). Before the pandemic, she had a scheduled routine in balancing academics, extra-curricular activities, and sports. 

Like other athletes, Bolaños was granted a scholarship due to her commitment to the sport. In fact, she shared that they also trained twice a day whenever there was a big competition ahead. Bolaños said, “For some, we might look like we have it easy by just playing and having fun while we get scholarships but really, it’s all about discipline, hard work, [and] patience.” She also shared that even their mental, emotional and physical health are at risk in playing. “It’s not just about having fun or seeing it as a leisure time, it’s being committed to your passion, a lot of adjustments, use of strength, and having to worry whether you did great or not and questioning your worth especially when showcasing your skills,” Bolaños added.

 On the other hand, the pandemic had an impact on the training regime of the volleyball players including Bolaños. In fact, she also claimed that even virtual training was not advised for them to do. Bolaños said, “Sometimes, I just wake up to eat and sleep again afterwards, I have those kinds of days. But, of course, I still have to be productive so that I can take care of my mental health and avoid overthinking when I’m doing nothing.” What didn’t change in her routine is that she still gets to go out and hang around with her friends in her free time.

Basketball: Miguel Carlo Olis

Miguel Carlo Olis (IV-BSBA-MM) plays the role of Power Forward in the College’s basketball varsity team. Along with maintaining his academics in a good standing, he used to have a strict schedule full of individual and team training before the pandemic. Olis shared that for him, “It is always education first before basketball.” Due to the pandemic, all courts (be it outdoor or indoor) are closed to ensure the safety of the players and to prevent the transmission of the virus. However, this did not stop Olis from exercising. He normally do home workouts every other day to keep his body conditioned.

Lifting the Spirits Up

Bolaños made it clear that even though there are no trainings being conducted, she always tries her best to encourage herself to spend a productive day. She always keeps her family and goals in mind in order to stay motivated. “I really want to help my parents and siblings financially… I am inspired every time I think that I’ll be achieving them someday.” She believes that to attain her aspirations eventually, she needs to put in hard work and patience, while staying driven towards her goals.

On the other hand, Olis believed that it is important to not lose hope and to still maintain a healthy body even with the pandemic. He also reminded everyone that: “Even if we cannot play basketball and the [other] games that we love, we still need to keep our body condition[ed] so that when the time comes and it is allowed to play [again], we can play basketball at the level that we used to play before the pandemic.”