In silence they strike: The poomsae jins of UP Diliman
Story and photos by Mark Kevin Reginio
They may not be as grandly supported as other sports, but they proved they can still bring home the bacon.
The University of the Philippines (UP) poomsae jins once again podium-finished as they bagged the bronze in the recently concluded UAAP Season 79 poomsae competition.
An event in taekwondo where players perform defense-and-attack motions against imaginary opponent, poomsae is a routine which can be predetermined as in authorized categories or choreographed by the players just like in a freestyle event.
The Fighting Maroons notched five medals in all categories: a gold in the women’s team, a silver each in mixed pair and individual male, and two bronzes in men’s team and individual female.
In their four years of competition, the Diliman-based team were able to earn two silver medals, a bronze, and a gold, which they got in 2014.
But success is not without challenges.
Lack of funds and support
“Kung sino pa ‘yung nanalo, [sila pa ‘yung] kulang sa support,” Poomsae head coach Janice Lagman-Lizardo said.
The budget the team is receiving from the university is spent primarily on equipment. For other expenses, they depend mostly on donations from groups such as #nowheretogobutUP – a volunteer group of UP alumni that supports the university’s varsity teams.
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The UP-funded equipment, however, are not as good as it should be.
“[Yung] mga boards, sa ilalim may butas-butas. Mahuhulog na ‘yung ceiling. Kulang ang [mga] ilaw [at] walang electric fan,” team captain Dustin Mella pointed out.
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Yet what they needed most of all was an exclusive space where they could train freely and simultaneously.
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Sometimes, they train at the parking lot. Or give way to PE classes in need of a room as well. Worse, they need to secure a permit before they could train outside training hours and during holidays.
“Kami na nga ‘tong nagse-serve para sa university, kailangan pa ba namin ng permit,” Janna Oliva, pair and women’s team player, exclaimed.
To the UP community
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Beyond financial matters, the poomsae jins still lack enlivening support from the UP community.
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Aina Callos, transferee from Far Eastern University and part of the women’s team, called on everyone to recognize the efforts and hardships of student athletes who are juggling both their trainings and academics.
“[Ka]pag sinabi mong student athlete, minsan mababa yung tingin nila. Nakapasok lang sa UP through sports. Siguro, sana ma-realize [nila] na mahirap talaga yung ginagawa namin, kinakaya lang,” she said.
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Meanwhile, Oliva expressed her dismay at professors who are not considerate of the schedule of the student athletes.
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“Pinapili ako [ng isang professor] kung yung laro o yung klase niya … [Sabi niya] if competition yung pinili mo, ifo-force drop kita,” she said.
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That time, Oliva was set to compete in the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Peru. She chose the game.
Mella, on the other hand, appealed to UP publications about media coverage and exposure. He wondered why other sports get publicized for "mundane" topics, while they placed third but without the same fanfare.
But all these didn’t hinder the team.
Golden motivation
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Every season, despite financial difficulties and an evident lack of community support, the team aims for gold.
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“Actually, sa training pa lang I motivate them. I tell them it’s not going to be easy. You have to really do your best, hindi lang [dapat] relax,” Lagman-Lizardo said.
When the team notched the championship in 2014, they proved just that.
“Sabi ko lang sa sarili ko, I have nothing to lose but I am going to do my best,” Oliva, a first timer, said.
Oliva and Mella won the mixed pair gold. She was also part of the women’s team who ranked first to give UP its first championship in the sports.
While they were not able to defend the title in 2015, coach Lagman-Lizardo still believes in the team’s capabilities.
“Hindi naman sila ‘yung may kasalanan, pero syempre nakita ko naman na they did their best. Naging tough [lang] talaga ‘yung competition,” she said.
Mella was the only one who bagged gold in their campaign in 2015, yet they were still able to take home one silver and three bronzes.
They still fell short in rising on top again in Season 79 but the same motivation was imbibed by the players.
“Andiyaan pa rin ‘yung kaba tsaka pressure. Pero andoon pa rin ‘yung willing[ness] na gawin ‘yung best at makuha ‘yung championship,” Patricia Jubelag, individual and women’s team player, said.
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Come next season, the team will miss the service of their captain. Still, Mella reminded the team to target their second title.
“Ganoon pa din, every year championship,” he said.