MANILA, Philippines — A young athlete in the Davao Region has been recognized for his achievements, with the Department of Education (DepEd) underscoring his resilience and determination.
In a social media post, the DepEd Davao Region highlighted the story of Lorenz Datiles, a Grade 12 sprinter from Sto. Tomas National High School (STNHS) who won five gold medals during the 2024 Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) Meet.
Datiles bagged his medals each from the 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, 4×100-meter, and 4×400-meter relays at the DAVRAA Meet.
But the office took notice of the young athlete’s worn-out shoes, dubbed “FrankenSpikes,” which was severely damaged and repaired only by numerous stitches and adhesive.
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These shoes, said DepEd Davao Region, were “a symbol of his commitment,” which served as the “trusted companions” of Datiles in his competitions.
“Datiles’ best gear was not the shoe; it was him. Molded through sweat, muscle ache, and relentless training, he became the best tool he could ever wield,” the DepEd office said.
“His journey mirrored resilience and determination. ‘FrankenSpikes,’ his worn-out shoes, bore the scars of countless races and training sessions. The soles were patched, the laces frayed, and the fabric torn,” it added.
According to the DepEd, Datiles in his triumph shattered preconceptions, winning with his FrankenSpikes and himself.
“Beyond the medals, these shoes embodied the spirit of an athlete who refused to be defined by worn-out shoes,” the office added.
Calls to support athletes
While the said social media post garnered a significant amount of appreciation and praise, many netizens pointed out the need to support young athletes.
Some netizens said that young athletes should be given assistance by their respective local government units (LGUs) and be provided with proper gear for their sports.
“While we laud at the triumphs these athletes have reached, we can’t help but feel sad and surprised why the LGUs have not supported and provided proper gears for the students,” one commenter wrote on the post.
“They bring with them the name (not only of their school) of the LGU on their shoulders. They should be supported,” they added.
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“Good job. Pero [hang]gang ngayon ni-roromanticize pa din ang mga ganito. Pwede naman sanang nanalo siya nang may matinong equipment,” another commenter wrote.
(Great job. But until now, these things are still romanticized. He could have won with proper equipment.)