CEBU, Philippines - A youthful chess prodigy and an iconic figure in Cebu volleyball painted a very touching moment that surely left a lasting impression to the hearts and minds of those who were fortunate enough to witness the enchanting kick-off salvo of the first ever Milo Little Oympics National Championships last Saturday at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The colorful ceremony exclamated by a spectacular fireworks display was without doubt an apparition of delight for the spectators, but the eight-year-old chess wonder Vic Glycen G. Derotas and the legendary volleyball superstar Maria Chona Jao-San Juan likewise became a sight to behold when they stood side-by-side at the beautifully-designed platform beside the main stage to light the symbolic urn of peace and unity.
They were actually three who carried out the significant task, all marked with a historical value representing three generations of sports in Jao-San Juan for the past, football sensation Arnie Pasinabo for the present and Derotas for the future.
After the main lights at the sports center were temporarily switched off to give way for the spotlight to flash on Derotas and Jao-San Juan, the two gently held hands as they planted the blazing torch to the urn that went along with one round of fireworks, leaving the superbly amazed crowd to burst into frenzied celebration and let loose one big round of applause.
Indeed, a festive atmosphere blanketed the sports center that eventful night as even some onlookers were made to dance to the lively tune of some of Cebu’s festivals highlighted, of course, by the world-renowned “Sinulog” showcasing not only the rich history and culture but also the warmth and candor of the Cebuano faithful.
“It was a big honor for me to be part of that historic moment,” said Jao-San Juan, who was enshrined into the Cebu Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 for her stirring exploits in her sporting field. “Somehow it made me walk down memory lane because it brings back all the memories during my heydays as an athlete,” she added.
Ma. Chona and her identical twin Maria Lourdes (now Ramirez) formed part of the celebrated Jao sisters that reaped honors for the country in various international competitions. They powered the Philippines to a gold medal finish in the 1979 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
A year before that, they competed in the China Friendship Games in Beijing. In 1982, they fought for RP and had a decent fifth place finish in the Asian Games held in New Delhi, India. That gave the Pinoy volleybelles an opportunity to face China, the world power in volleyball during that time.
Jao-San Juan said attaining success in the sporting field is no easy endeavor as it entails a lot of hardwork and sacrifice. These are the essential things she hopes the newest crop of athletes would inculcate in their psyche.
“My message to the athletes of today is that they should always aspire to excel and keep on dreaming,” said Jao-San Juan, who graduated Cum Laude with a degree of Bachelor of Arts (AB) in Economics from the University of San Carlos (USC). “But they have to work very hard because through sports, they will be the pillars of progress in the future and will be the nation’s hope.”
“I also want to tell them that they should continue to engage in sports because it can instill discipline and character forming and will help them learn the important values that will nurture them to become sensible individuals,” said Jao-San Juan, who, along with her sister, owned countless titles in local and national leagues such as the Palarong Pambansa, the Cebu Catholics Schools Athletic Association (CCSAA), and the Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (CAAA) while donning the uniform of Sacred Heart School and USC.
Jao-San Juan’s words of wisdom have reveberated in the ears of Derotas, who wanted to emulate her feats of bringing pride and honor to the Filipino nation when she grows up.
Like Jao-San Juan, Derotas is extremely gratified to be accorded with such honor of lighting the urn more so that she is the youngest participant in the three-day sports conclave that brought the best developmental athletes from all corners of the archipelago here in the Queen City of the South.
The grade two student of Camp Lapu-Lapu Elementary School in Brgy. Apas said she felt exalted and somewhat floating in cloud nine while she was standing with Jao-San Juan, whose illustrious career path she wants to follow someday.
“I’m very happy and proud to be chosen to do it and I’m inspired to be like her ( Jao-San Juan ) someday who brings pride and honor for our country,” said Derotas.“I really did not expect to be given such opportunity. I was overwhelmed upon seeing a lot of people because it was my first time to be in a huge crowd.”
Derotas, who aspires to become a soldier someday, started playing chess at the age of four under the guidance of his father/coach Victor. At six, she joined for the first time in the Milo Little Olympics in 2007 and immediately showed a lot of promise by outwitting her older opponents to snatch the gold medal.
Derotas sustained her impressive run, paving the way for her to become the youngest Most Outstanding Athlete (MOA) awardee in this year’s MLO Visayas Finals. A few months ago, she also topped the eight-under category during the 10th National Age Group Chess Championship in Aklan.
Coach Teresita Samson has credited the Milo Olympics for the rapid development of Derotas in the classic European boardgame.
“It’s the Milo Little Olympics that gave her the grand exposure to excel in her field. This sporting event has molded her to be where she is right now,” said Samson.
Derotas’ mother echoed the same sentiment saying that “without joining and winning in the Milo Little Olympics, she would not be given this kind of privilege to become a future athlete at her best. It gives her a chance to play and excel at a young age.”
In retrospect, the festival-themed show masterminded by the ever creative Ricky Ballesteros and Dolores Suzara was something to cherish for but the dramatic presence of the two sporting personalities from different generations made the event truly unforgettable. (FREEMAN NEWS)