Tabloid Issue Vol XL No 3
By Ravel Cruz, Clarisse Inao and Mervin Viray
Every warrior has their own armors, either made out of steel or made out of clay. And this shield has already experienced wars of skills, tactics and discipline. Because of this, BulSUans have been aching about theirs for years already.
Indeed, Bulacan State University (BulSU) has been imposing its athletic dynasty for the past two decades in the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) meet, proof of its might and power over the sporting arena of the region.
The strongest, unbeatable warriors of every event are honed within the walls of the university. Every training sweetened by sacrifices is perfected inside the arena of the masters of sporting battles. Yet, it seems like the gleaming armor itself has its holes, has its rusts.
Our cagers drive furiously to the hoop without a serviceable court, our tankers diving gold after gold without their own pool, jins kicking without proper mattress, runners sprinting on concrete yet slippery ‘oval’.
These ironic truths have been damaging the armors of every Gold Gear. And with that, we open the rusting gates of BulSU’s sports facilities.
Activity Center: Athletes vs. PE Students
BulSU’s Activity Center (AC) is one of the main sport facilities inside the main campus. AC is divided into three courts to accommodate the players: Basketball, Volleyball, and Sepak Takraw courts. But there seems to be a problem, not only athletes from a single event uses the edifice, but basketball, sepak takraw, volleyball and futsal concurrently uses the place, together with Physical Education (PE) classes the entire day.
“’Di kami komportable kasi maraming gumagamit ng AC, kaya gabi na lang kami nakakapagtraining,” lamented Noemi Cereza of women’s basketball.
The fact that more than two sports are sharing the same facility is already a headache; imagine splitting that more with PE students.
“Ang isa pang mahirap sa AC e ‘yong nag-aagawan kami sa court ng mga nagpi-PE,” said Marjorie Ubaldo, also a cager.
Due to these circumstances, issues arise on whether whose the main occupants of AC. Players can argue that since the structure is built for athletic purposes, it should be theirs exclusively. But other students think otherwise.
“Mahirap kasi minsan ‘pag nasa AC kami, natatamaan kami ng mga bola habang nagpa-praktis sila, hindi kami makatambay,” said by a sophomore English Major.
Players vs. students is understandable, but players vs. coaches?
“Kamukha n’yan, basketball women’s, anong oras sila nagsisimula ng training? Alas-syete. Syempre kahit pa pa’nong gawin mo, babae yan e, kailangan naming magparaya,” said a Gold Gear coach.
But instead of complaining, they have no choice but to adjust with the insufficiency.
“Natatapos na kami n’yan alas-dyes o kaya nine-thirty, iniintay pa kasi namin matapos yung ibang event bago kami mag-train,” added the coach.
Problems involving people can be dealt with on a case to case basis, but when nature strikes, things end up a little tougher.
“Problema din kapag umuulan, lahat ng mga events, sa Activity Center ang punta. Sama-sama kami do’n. May sumisipa ng baseball, ng futsal, may naglalaro ng sepak takraw, may nagba-volleyball, kumbaga nando’n na kaming lahat,” basketball coach Antonino Tayao lamented.
Malolos Tennis Club: Open Season
If you happen to pass by the court beside Alvarado hall, it is where the Lawn Tennis and Archery trainings are usually held. Although the place is not considered a part of BulSU, the proximity of it makes varsity players mistake the ownership of the tennis court.
“Nag-improve na ‘yong court namin, sa tulong na rin ng admin, actually ngayon wala kaming hinihinging suporta,” a lawn tennis player said.
An archery player also insisted that they are not asking for anything because they understand the archery development of the university. Still, some visitor players from other universities cannot help but compare.
“Mas maganda ‘yong facilities namin, may oval, may sariling pool, condominium ang mga athletes,” a UST tennis player said.
Comparison is something this university can live by. But when safety becomes an issue, a little bit of tweaking should be made.
“Although hindi naman kami natatamaan, minsan nakakatakot dumaan ‘pag pupunta ka sa billiards hall, kasi baka lumipad ‘yong pana sa’yo, ” quipped a senior Psychology student.
Valencia Hall: Drifting away
Aside for being a venue for numerous university events, Valencia Hall or best known as the ‘gym’, is also a haven of taekwondo varsity players and dance sports members who continuously hoard medals in different sports competitions.
“Ayos lang naman sa’min, nakakapag-training kami ng maayos do’n, nagagawa naming lahat ng pinapagawa sa ’min ng coach namin,” said BulSUan jin Crizelda Viray.
But the fact that the place is not exclusively for their usage, conflicts arise with PE students and university programs.
“Minsan ‘yong mga PE students nasa loob, kaya kami doon nalang sa labas ng Valencia magte-training. Mahirap din kasi minsan, mas marami kaming nagagawa sa loob kesa sa labas, maliit lang kasi ‘yong space,” Viray continued.
Furthermore, the issue of converting the gym into a sports amphitheater is troubling to the jins and dancers. It seems like they would lose the only training ground available for them. Yet, she’s still hopeful.
“Gagawa naman siguro ng paraan ‘yong coach namin para hindi matigil ‘yong training namin, p’wede rin na sa ibang lugar na lang kami mag-train, basta tuloy-tuloy,” she said.
Right beside the Valencia Hall is the weights room. Despite the idea circulating that it is made for the athletes, reality bites that it is made to cater students.
“’Yong weights room kasi natin naka-design s’ya for service PE, pero s’yempre kapag may free time ‘yong mga players, kapag vacant sila, p’wede nila magamit din ‘yon,” assured Coach Tayao.
Alternative Oval: Distance and Nuisance
Another issue brewing within the athlete’s community is the lack of a training oval inside the campus. Runners and track and field players instead uses the Rizal Park as their version of it.
“Mas maganda sana kung may sarili tayong training ground sa athletics,” said track and field varsity player Jonathan Mobilla.
While they are running around the monument, they also have to take precautions not to hit passers by and not to damage the cars parked in front of the law building.
“‘Yong mga kotse na nakaparada, ‘yong mga estudyanteng dumadaan, nakakasira ng tuhod namin ‘yong pag-iwas sa mga ganun, ‘yong mga iba nagagalit pa kapag natatamaan, hindi nila alam na nakakaapekto sa ‘min ‘yon,” shared Mobilla.
Even if there is an oval, trainings will still be halted if the weather is not okay because of the concrete floors of the Rizal Park that make it harder for runners to jog even if the sun dries up the place.
“Kapag umuulan wala kaming lugar. ‘Tsaka madulas din,”continued Mobilla.
Runners have no oval, and other players have no field to train in.
“Napakahirap, walang field, mahirap din kasi pagpunta do’n [Bulacan Sports Complex]. Hindi makapag-training ng maayos, saka agawan kasi ng court dito eh, lalo na kapag umuulan nandyan na lahat ng teams,” said football vet Rederick Formin.
At the same time, swimmers also have the lack of training pool to deal with. The once swimming pool inside the university is now the location of a fast food chain.
“Sa complex na lang kami nagte-training, okay naman maganda. May land training katulad ng wall climbing para sa paa at braso, pero sana magkaroon din tayo ng sariling swimming pool kasi minsan may ibang gumagamit do’n,” relayed tanker Ren Portes.
The distance of Bulacan Sports Complex is also an issue. The 8-peso jeepney fare from BulSU to BSC might be okay for some students students, but for athletes under scholarship programs, any peso counts.
“Kapag may pamasahe papuntang Complex, doon na lang kami. Pero minsan kapag umaga, tinatakbo nalang naming papunta do’n,” said Gold Gear Jeffrey Bandoza.
Other side of the fence
Although the administration is fully aware of these woes of every athlete, immediate action is challenging due to the lack of funding.
“Mayro’n naman talagang appropriate amount kaya lang hundreds of millions ‘yan eh bago mai-push ‘yong ganyang klase ng sports facilities,” said College of Physical Education, Recreation and Sports (COPERS) Dean Racquel Mendoza.
But still, COPERS remains optimistic.
“But I strongly believe that through the joint ventures of the government agencies and of the school, magkakaroon tayo n’yan. Positive ako d’yan,” beamed Mendoza.
Along with these promises, some players are really hopeful that the plans will be realized. They are still wishing for better places to train, after all they are not failing to give their part, evidence are the numerous medals and achievements the university is getting from every competition.
“’Yong nagbibigay na lang sa ’min ng determination e ‘yong makapagbigay kami ng karangalan dito [BulSU],” Viray concluded.
As deficiencies build up, also are the future plans of the administration. In a state university where the budget from the government and income generating projects are the only resources, building state-of-the art sports facilities is really tough.
Aside from these, the university is also hearing the woes of regular students because of the need of classrooms. Maybe it is a matter of prioritization of what should be attended first.
At this point in time, it’s still a matter of dedication, though.
By Ravel Cruz, Clarisse Inao and Mervin Viray
Every warrior has their own armors, either made out of steel or made out of clay. And this shield has already experienced wars of skills, tactics and discipline. Because of this, BulSUans have been aching about theirs for years already.
Indeed, Bulacan State University (BulSU) has been imposing its athletic dynasty for the past two decades in the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) meet, proof of its might and power over the sporting arena of the region.
The strongest, unbeatable warriors of every event are honed within the walls of the university. Every training sweetened by sacrifices is perfected inside the arena of the masters of sporting battles. Yet, it seems like the gleaming armor itself has its holes, has its rusts.
Our cagers drive furiously to the hoop without a serviceable court, our tankers diving gold after gold without their own pool, jins kicking without proper mattress, runners sprinting on concrete yet slippery ‘oval’.
These ironic truths have been damaging the armors of every Gold Gear. And with that, we open the rusting gates of BulSU’s sports facilities.
Activity Center: Athletes vs. PE Students
BulSU’s Activity Center (AC) is one of the main sport facilities inside the main campus. AC is divided into three courts to accommodate the players: Basketball, Volleyball, and Sepak Takraw courts. But there seems to be a problem, not only athletes from a single event uses the edifice, but basketball, sepak takraw, volleyball and futsal concurrently uses the place, together with Physical Education (PE) classes the entire day.
“’Di kami komportable kasi maraming gumagamit ng AC, kaya gabi na lang kami nakakapagtraining,” lamented Noemi Cereza of women’s basketball.
The fact that more than two sports are sharing the same facility is already a headache; imagine splitting that more with PE students.
“Ang isa pang mahirap sa AC e ‘yong nag-aagawan kami sa court ng mga nagpi-PE,” said Marjorie Ubaldo, also a cager.
Due to these circumstances, issues arise on whether whose the main occupants of AC. Players can argue that since the structure is built for athletic purposes, it should be theirs exclusively. But other students think otherwise.
“Mahirap kasi minsan ‘pag nasa AC kami, natatamaan kami ng mga bola habang nagpa-praktis sila, hindi kami makatambay,” said by a sophomore English Major.
Players vs. students is understandable, but players vs. coaches?
“Kamukha n’yan, basketball women’s, anong oras sila nagsisimula ng training? Alas-syete. Syempre kahit pa pa’nong gawin mo, babae yan e, kailangan naming magparaya,” said a Gold Gear coach.
But instead of complaining, they have no choice but to adjust with the insufficiency.
“Natatapos na kami n’yan alas-dyes o kaya nine-thirty, iniintay pa kasi namin matapos yung ibang event bago kami mag-train,” added the coach.
Problems involving people can be dealt with on a case to case basis, but when nature strikes, things end up a little tougher.
“Problema din kapag umuulan, lahat ng mga events, sa Activity Center ang punta. Sama-sama kami do’n. May sumisipa ng baseball, ng futsal, may naglalaro ng sepak takraw, may nagba-volleyball, kumbaga nando’n na kaming lahat,” basketball coach Antonino Tayao lamented.
Malolos Tennis Club: Open Season
If you happen to pass by the court beside Alvarado hall, it is where the Lawn Tennis and Archery trainings are usually held. Although the place is not considered a part of BulSU, the proximity of it makes varsity players mistake the ownership of the tennis court.
“Nag-improve na ‘yong court namin, sa tulong na rin ng admin, actually ngayon wala kaming hinihinging suporta,” a lawn tennis player said.
An archery player also insisted that they are not asking for anything because they understand the archery development of the university. Still, some visitor players from other universities cannot help but compare.
“Mas maganda ‘yong facilities namin, may oval, may sariling pool, condominium ang mga athletes,” a UST tennis player said.
Comparison is something this university can live by. But when safety becomes an issue, a little bit of tweaking should be made.
“Although hindi naman kami natatamaan, minsan nakakatakot dumaan ‘pag pupunta ka sa billiards hall, kasi baka lumipad ‘yong pana sa’yo, ” quipped a senior Psychology student.
Valencia Hall: Drifting away
Aside for being a venue for numerous university events, Valencia Hall or best known as the ‘gym’, is also a haven of taekwondo varsity players and dance sports members who continuously hoard medals in different sports competitions.
“Ayos lang naman sa’min, nakakapag-training kami ng maayos do’n, nagagawa naming lahat ng pinapagawa sa ’min ng coach namin,” said BulSUan jin Crizelda Viray.
But the fact that the place is not exclusively for their usage, conflicts arise with PE students and university programs.
“Minsan ‘yong mga PE students nasa loob, kaya kami doon nalang sa labas ng Valencia magte-training. Mahirap din kasi minsan, mas marami kaming nagagawa sa loob kesa sa labas, maliit lang kasi ‘yong space,” Viray continued.
Furthermore, the issue of converting the gym into a sports amphitheater is troubling to the jins and dancers. It seems like they would lose the only training ground available for them. Yet, she’s still hopeful.
“Gagawa naman siguro ng paraan ‘yong coach namin para hindi matigil ‘yong training namin, p’wede rin na sa ibang lugar na lang kami mag-train, basta tuloy-tuloy,” she said.
Right beside the Valencia Hall is the weights room. Despite the idea circulating that it is made for the athletes, reality bites that it is made to cater students.
“’Yong weights room kasi natin naka-design s’ya for service PE, pero s’yempre kapag may free time ‘yong mga players, kapag vacant sila, p’wede nila magamit din ‘yon,” assured Coach Tayao.
Alternative Oval: Distance and Nuisance
Another issue brewing within the athlete’s community is the lack of a training oval inside the campus. Runners and track and field players instead uses the Rizal Park as their version of it.
“Mas maganda sana kung may sarili tayong training ground sa athletics,” said track and field varsity player Jonathan Mobilla.
While they are running around the monument, they also have to take precautions not to hit passers by and not to damage the cars parked in front of the law building.
“‘Yong mga kotse na nakaparada, ‘yong mga estudyanteng dumadaan, nakakasira ng tuhod namin ‘yong pag-iwas sa mga ganun, ‘yong mga iba nagagalit pa kapag natatamaan, hindi nila alam na nakakaapekto sa ‘min ‘yon,” shared Mobilla.
Even if there is an oval, trainings will still be halted if the weather is not okay because of the concrete floors of the Rizal Park that make it harder for runners to jog even if the sun dries up the place.
“Kapag umuulan wala kaming lugar. ‘Tsaka madulas din,”continued Mobilla.
Runners have no oval, and other players have no field to train in.
“Napakahirap, walang field, mahirap din kasi pagpunta do’n [Bulacan Sports Complex]. Hindi makapag-training ng maayos, saka agawan kasi ng court dito eh, lalo na kapag umuulan nandyan na lahat ng teams,” said football vet Rederick Formin.
At the same time, swimmers also have the lack of training pool to deal with. The once swimming pool inside the university is now the location of a fast food chain.
“Sa complex na lang kami nagte-training, okay naman maganda. May land training katulad ng wall climbing para sa paa at braso, pero sana magkaroon din tayo ng sariling swimming pool kasi minsan may ibang gumagamit do’n,” relayed tanker Ren Portes.
The distance of Bulacan Sports Complex is also an issue. The 8-peso jeepney fare from BulSU to BSC might be okay for some students students, but for athletes under scholarship programs, any peso counts.
“Kapag may pamasahe papuntang Complex, doon na lang kami. Pero minsan kapag umaga, tinatakbo nalang naming papunta do’n,” said Gold Gear Jeffrey Bandoza.
Other side of the fence
Although the administration is fully aware of these woes of every athlete, immediate action is challenging due to the lack of funding.
“Mayro’n naman talagang appropriate amount kaya lang hundreds of millions ‘yan eh bago mai-push ‘yong ganyang klase ng sports facilities,” said College of Physical Education, Recreation and Sports (COPERS) Dean Racquel Mendoza.
But still, COPERS remains optimistic.
“But I strongly believe that through the joint ventures of the government agencies and of the school, magkakaroon tayo n’yan. Positive ako d’yan,” beamed Mendoza.
Along with these promises, some players are really hopeful that the plans will be realized. They are still wishing for better places to train, after all they are not failing to give their part, evidence are the numerous medals and achievements the university is getting from every competition.
“’Yong nagbibigay na lang sa ’min ng determination e ‘yong makapagbigay kami ng karangalan dito [BulSU],” Viray concluded.
As deficiencies build up, also are the future plans of the administration. In a state university where the budget from the government and income generating projects are the only resources, building state-of-the art sports facilities is really tough.
Aside from these, the university is also hearing the woes of regular students because of the need of classrooms. Maybe it is a matter of prioritization of what should be attended first.
At this point in time, it’s still a matter of dedication, though.