From zeroes to heroes

They won nine gold medals between them in the recent 3rd Milo Little Olympics National Finals in Lingayen, Pangasinan. Definitely a jaw-dropping feat for three athletes who battled formidable physical and emotional odds before finally claiming their coveted place in the biggest stage for the country’s school-based athletes.

But for John Rey Moreno of the National Capital Region (NCR), Jhanine Eve Mansueto of Tangub City in Mindanao and Kenneth Monzon of the Visayas, the golds were not handed to them on a silver platter. Each shining metal represents the sweat, tears and numerous sacrifices that they have to make to accomplish their respective goals. Because before they became instant celebrities, before they were hailed as certified sports heroes, they too experienced humiliating losses and scathing taunts that made them question if being an athlete is the right path to take.

Theirs is the story of the resiliency of the human spirit. A story that underscores the triumph of the human resolve to soar over and above any form of obstacle be it in sports or in any other field. A story so similar to ours as we continue to rise and fall and rise again in our journey through life.

John Rey Moreno (3 golds)

This 16-year-old son of a construction foreman from Cavite City never thought he’d win a single gold from the three events he was entered in the 3rd Milo Nationals. And who would? After getting dismal results in several editions of the Palarong Pambansa, the senior student of Immaculate Concepcion Academy of Dasmarinas is almost completely resigned to being second or third best.

Then the unexpected happened.

Moreno won three gold medals in the two-day competition by ruling the secondary boys 5,000 and 1,500-meter races as well as the  3,000m steeple chase.
Not only that, he was also the tournament’s first gold medal winner.

“Dito ko lang pala sa Milo makukuha ang gold medal, sobrang proud po ako sa sarili ko, kung hindi dahil sa fighting spirit ko, siguro di ako nanalo,” said Moreno.

Being the only athlete in the family, Moreno has their full support. But he is also constantly battling confidence issues spurred by his previous losses.

“Talunan talaga ako sa ibang competition, nag second or fourth minsan third pero, di ako sumuko, sabi ko sa sarili ko kaya ko ‘to.”

And what better way to underscore his new-found confidence than by winning against the very same foes who made him question his abilities.

Following his very impressive performance in the Milo Nationals, Moreno said his dream of becoming a scholar athlete in the University of the Philippines is now within reach.

Jhanine Eve Mansueto (2 golds)

When 13-year-old Jhanine Eve Mansueto was told that she will be part of Mindanao’s secondary girls athletics team for the Milo Nationals, fear instantly gripped the high school freshman. And for the right reasons.

When she took her place at the starting line for the girls 3,000m run, she noticed that she was the smallest among all the runners. But she steadied herself and just focussed on the mission at hand.

The result? She did not only win the 3,00m race, she added the gold in the 1,500m run as well.

“I was very scared at first but after finishing first and realizing that my opponents were way behind me, I almost cried because of happiness,” said Mansueto of Tangub City National High School.

“I am very proud because I was able to beat bigger opponents,” said the dusky daughter of an electrician, whose playful attitude and contagious laughter belie her strong and competitive nature.

According to her coaches Semando Namalata and Arnold Unabia, Mansueto is a veteran in running competitions joining races as far as Cebu.

“That kid is very tough even though she is very small. I pity her because she does not even have a modest pair of running shoes and she gives all her winnings to her mother to help in the family’s finances,” said Unabia.

Kenneth Monzon (4 golds)

Would you continue to indulge in competitive sports even if you have ADHD or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder? Even if the taunts were so biting and even if you won fair and square, questions are still hurled your way because of your condition?

(ADHD is a developmental disorder characterized by the co-existence of attentional problems and hyperactivity).

Such was the dilemma that Cebuano Kenneth Monzon faces every time he competes and that’s aside from  every competitor’s primary goal of winning.

“They always say that I won because my competitors have to give in because I have ADHD. For me that’s very painful,” said Monzon of the University of Cebu.

“They also question my joining in athletic competitions, saying that sports is not for someone like me. Such statements greatly affect my self confidence.”

But the 3rd National Milo Finals gave him the chance to prove to everyone—including his critics—that he is not a lost soul in the challenging world of competitive sports.

His proof? The four gold medals that he won in the tough sports conclave. A feat that Monzon hopes will finally change the way other people, especially his co-athletes, look at him.

Monzon crowned himself the meet’s sprint king by sweeping the 100 and 200-meter golds. He also helped Team Visayas win golds in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays.

And his inspiration?

“The people who underestimated me and their painful remarks are my inspiration. They challenge me to be tougher and to train harder,” said Monzon.

Monzon actually did not set high goals when he came to Pangasinan. All he wanted was to improve his current times.

“Fortunately for me, I did not just break my times but I also won the gold medal.”

The multiple gold medalist also bared his humble side.

“We must not forget to thank God for all the blessings that He gave us. We should not waste them. Others are very lucky that they do not have any disabilities, they should be grateful for that,” Monzon said.

So what do these three athletes have in common?

An uncommon bravery to fight whatever life may throw at them. The will to get up and brush the dust after each fall and the unrelenting belief that no matter how seemingly unconquerable the odds may be, their hearts will always be bigger than their obstacles.

And the 3rd Milo National Finals gave flesh and blood to their inspiring stories.