By Vince Matthew Jaramilla and Leiniel Santos

As the Far Eastern University (FEU) 2024 Commencement Exercises concluded last July 10 to 12, with it came the end of the collegiate journey of the green-and-gold community's senior student-athletes. Among these Tamaraws from different sports are the outgoing team captains who exemplified the true meaning of fortitude, excellence, and uprightness in braving the challenges both on and off the court.

In interviews with FEU Advocate, Queenie Aquino, Jefferson Abuniawan, and Jermi Darapan of the women’s basketball, men’s volleyball, and men’s football teams, respectively, narrated the struggles and triumphs they faced in their journey as student-athletes.

Dribbling responsibilities

With finesse and control, the graduated Lady Tamaraw co-captain Aquino was able to balance her responsibilities on the court and at the University. Despite the ‘roller coaster ride’ of her journey, enduring numerous sacrifices, she mentioned that it all paid off as she loved what she was doing. 

“Grabe ‘yung experience ko as a student-athlete. ‘What a roller coaster ride,’ sabi nga nila. Madaming sacrifices ‘yung gagawin mo… Pero as long as you are committed and you love what you are doing, balewala lahat ‘yun. Masarap sa feeling na mahirap ang buhay student-athlete (My experience as a student athlete was great. What a roller coaster ride they say. You will make a lot of sacrifices... But as long as you are committed and you love what you are doing, all of that is irrelevant. It feels good that the student-athlete life is hard),” she said. 

Aside from the opportunity of playing in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the green-and-gold cagebelle also expressed gratitude to FEU’s trust in providing her with an education, as she knows that finishing her studies is the greatest gift that she can offer to her parents. 

With ‘God’s grace and wisdom,’ Aquino then conquered what she deems to be an ‘unhealthy environment’ that every student-athlete experiences in the academe. Her immense faith guided her to always look for a silver lining, as she accepted that the hardships were all part of her journey. 

Aquino then shared that if one will pursue the adventure of being a student-athlete, they should trust themselves and know that it is a commitment to a journey with its fair share of ups and downs, which will serve as a lesson. 

“Be brave! Trust yourself; believe [in] God’s will,” she asserted. 

Blocking all setbacks

From going to early morning volleyball training sessions to attending different classes in various buildings at FEU, men’s volleyball team captain Abuniawan was delighted that he was upfront in learning to pass his subjects to play in the UAAP.

However, being a team captain is a whole other responsibility. The Tamaraw middle blocker accepted the position despite having thoughts of failing. Fortunately, he was able to rise to the occasion with the help of God. 

“Ang ginawa ko [ay] nagdadasal ako [sa] Panginoon na bigyan niya ako lagi ng lakas at malawak na pag-iisip. After no’n nalampasan ko naman siya (What I did was pray to the Lord to always give me strength and a broad mind. After that, I passed the challenges),” he said. 

Throughout Abuniawan’s years at the University, he gave huge importance to his education, as he said that one of the greatest feelings one can experience is to graduate. He mentioned that volleyball will always be there, but FEU’s gift of education is a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

To his fellow student-athletes, the bronze medalist team captain advised that discipline is one of the most important things one should possess. 

“Paglaanan niyo ng disiplina ang mga sarili ninyo at ‘wag na ‘wag niyo pababayaan ang pag-aaral dahil diyan kayo mamumuhunan para makapag laro sa UAAP at laging isuko ang sarili sa Panginoon kapag may mga problema tayong nararamdaman (Discipline yourselves and never neglect your studies, as that is your investment to be able to play in the UAAP. Always surrender yourselves to the Lord when you are facing problems),” he concluded. 

Pushing towards the final goal

For outgoing Tamaraw Booter captain Darapan, coming all the way from Olongapo and suffering through multiple injuries were just some of the defenders that he had to blow by to reach his goals. The Morayta forward also mentioned academics, time management, and gaining confidence as his main problems as a student.

Despite these, he was successful in being one of the leaders of the men's football team in winning the championship in UAAP Season 85, bagging silver medals in Season 86, and even playing for the national team during his FEU stint.

Wanting to honor his mother’s dream of seeing him 'on a stage and finishing college,’ the graduated Booter took on the challenge of 'trying to change his ways' and being more active academically to be able to balance the last UAAP season and on-the job training—a mark of his maturation as a student-athlete.

Encouraging other student-athletes, Darapan highlighted the value of self-awareness and faith to keep on improving.

“Just throw yourself out there, keep your faith, know that you have weaknesses [and] accept that you’re not perfect. From there, you’ll know which is which and how to improve those imperfections,” he stated.

The green-and-gold booter concluded by emphasizing his mantra—‘seeking discomfort.’ 

Moving onto the next

With farewells to their alma mater bid and playing years foregone, the title of ‘student-athletes’ leave the Tamaraw captains, as they are now faced with new beginnings after receiving their diplomas.

Still, the lessons they have learned will be with them in the next quarters, sets, or halves of life they may find themselves in.

While the stories of Aquino, Abuniawan, and Darapan may only be some of the countless ones that can be told, these narratives are testaments to hard work that serve as inspirations to others, student-athletes or not, who dare to pursue their own ambitions. They are living proof that dreams are possible to achieve if you put your heart into them.

(Photos courtesy of Jefferson Abuniawan, Queenie Aquino, and Jermi Darapan)