Photo by JL T. Javier
Pauline Alarilla
By Isabelle G. Rodolfo
who have competed for the Lady Jins, Pauline Alarilla has a legacy to continue. Rookie or not, this communications technology management freshman is no pushover. Alarilla is a two-time gold medalist in the Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association and was crowned the Most Valuable Player in her final year.
Taekwondo has two types of competitions: sparring and poomsae. “Pauline excels in both,” shares older sister and teammate Frances Alarilla. Team Captain Ivana Mabunay adds, “[Pauline] doesn’t compromise one for the other.” Conquering both, however, took a toll on Pauline when she once suffered a fractured hand and a pulled hamstring.
When she’s not working on her game, Alarilla still devotes her time to her beloved sport. She assists teammates in training, cheers during games, and never misses early morning practice.
Although she is still adjusting to the collegiate level of play, Alarilla’s work ethic has impressed Mabunay. “It is she who I am counting on,” says Mabunay on Alarilla’s vital role for the Lady Jins this season. “We need four out of seven players to win a match.”
Alarilla stays grounded amidst all the praise. “There are still a lot of players better than me,” she shares. “My teammates are like my family. Whenever I don’t feel like going to training, they give me a reason to work harder.” Meanwhile, veteran Ella Trias shares, “I think—no—I know she’ll do very well. I already see her winning.”
Photo by JL T. Javier
Aaron Agojo
By Noelle M. Recio
THE MOMENT Aaron Agojo steps on the mat and competes, he obliterates the confidence his opponents initially brandish. A man of few words, Agojo is the perfect combination of precision and technique.
Agojo entered the world of taekwondo as a first grader in Lourdes School of Quezon City (LSQC). “Taekwondo was where I first excelled in so I continued training, and eventually, I started to win medals,” shares the Blue Jin.
Gyle Generoso, team captain and LSQC alumnus, witnessed Agojo’s early supremacy in the sport. “When I was a senior in high school and he was in grade school, I could already see his talent,” he shares. “He dominated his category.”
Aside from being a multi-awarded former member of the Philippine National Team, Agojo led the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Juniors Taekwondo Team to a championship last season. In fact, he tied for the Most Valuable Player award.
While UST is a known powerhouse in taekwondo, Agojo’s transfer to Ateneo is in line with his personal vision. “Had I wanted to focus more on athletics, I would’ve gone to UST, but I know that taekwondo will not last for a lifetime. I had to think about my future and my education,” says the management major.
For veteran Red Bermejo, although Agojo will sit out Season 75 for one year of residency, he has the potential to become an ace player.
Amidst all these expectations, Agojo shares a decidedly Atenean aspiration: “My ultimate goal as a taekwondo player is to win for God, my parents, myself and most especially, for the school that I’m representing.”
Photo by JL T. Javier
Frances Siapno
By Mikaela J. Sumulong
IT IS widely believed that it is too late to be good at something when one does not start early. On the contrary, new recruit Frances Siapno knows that this belief is anything but true.
Siapno started taekwondo when she was already a high school sophomore. During that time, she learned that she was blessed with a natural talent, which more than made up for her lack of experience.
“When I got to second year, I realized that I really love taekwondo, that this can be my sport,” says Siapno. Three years later, she has attained brown belt status and is one of the two prized rookies of the Ateneo Lady Jins.
“As a rookie, she has beaten a veteran athlete who was a Junior National Team member before,” says Assistant Coach Jeck Panotes in a mix of English and Filipino. Panotes also shares that Siapno won bronze in the 2012 Smart National All-Women’s Taekwondo Championships last June. It was her first college tournament. “At this level, her skill is for black belt,” Panotes comments further.
The 16-year-old confesses that she is nervous for the upcoming UAAP season, but women’s Team Captain Ivana Mabunay feels otherwise. “She has the skill of a player who has double of her actual years of competing,” Mabunay says. “She is one of the most reliable players in our lineup.”
The Lady Jins are hopeful about Siapno’s success and future contributions. It will definitely be a challenging collegiate career for her, but this rookie pledges to give it her all.
Photo by JL T. Javier
Jeff Ong
By Raizza P. Bello
MOST ASPIRING taekwondo athletes endure long years of hardship and rigorous training before they are promoted to black belt, the highest rank of the said martial art. But for Jeff Ong, it only took three.
What rouses more wonder about Ong’s natural talent for the martial art is his initial motive for engaging in the sport: he was gaining weight. With the insistence and encouragement of his mother, his view of taekwondo as a fitness routine transformed into a passion.
At the young age of 16, Ong won gold in the National Age Group and the 2012 Smart National Carlos Palanca Jr. Taekwondo Championships. He was also a member of the Philippine National Team. “He can be very intimidating at sparring sessions, but out of training, he’s really funny,” shares Lady Jins rookie Frances Siapno.
Taekwondo requires a strong balance with offensive and defensive fighting styles. Ong strives to achieve this balance as he admits that he needs much improvement on the offensive end.
Ivana Mabunay, team captain of the Lady Jins, has trained with Ong for four years now. She pointed out that his optimism will help boost the men’s team this season. “I think he will be the team captain by his senior year,” predicts Mabunay.
With all of these things that have been said about him, it’s no surprise how Ong managed to be a black-belter in a short span of time. As Ong begins his journey in the UAAP fighting arena, his focus and dedication to improving his skills make him a rising force that will leave a mark in Ateneo taekwondo history.
