Palarong Pambansa athlete runs barefoot, finishes 2nd in 400m heats

An athlete from CALABARZON finished second in the heats of the 400m run while running barefoot in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City.

In Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," Wednesday, Jackie Rose Orpilla said she could have had a better performance in the SPED-ID 16-above girls division event if she had shoes to wear.

However, she did not let that stop her from her chasing her dreams.

"'Di bale po na naka-paa kang lumalaban, pero 'yung loob mo malakas naman po," she said.

("It doesn't matter if you are running barefoot, as long as you have a strong will.")

For Orpilla, she just gave her all in competing and did not mind competitors who have better gears for their sport.

"'Yung sapatos po, minsan nanghihiram lang po kami sa kasamahan namin sa room o kaya sa kabilang room na mga friends nila," Orpilla's coach Cheryll Boncato said.

"Dahil wala kami, wala kaming choice. Kung may mahiraman kami, OK. Kung wala kaming mahiraman, OK lang po," she added.

("Sometimes we just borrow shoes from those with us inside our room or from the other rooms, from their friends. We do not have a choice. If we can borrow, that is okay. If not, then so be it.")

Orpilla's fate in Palaro is yet to be determined but for her mom and coach, she already is a champion.

The athlete is one of many who revealed putting on a brave face in the national multi-sport event despite the struggles they are facing.

Aside from Orpilla, Shayne Anne Labinghisa of Western Visayas also competed in the Palarong Pambasa without shoes.

She ran the 3000m girls secondary event but with only tape as her feet covering.

Her mom wanted to buy her shoes but she did not want to as she believes she will do better when running almost barefoot.

"'Di ako nasanay gumamit ng spikes," she said.

("I'm not used to using spikes.")

Labinghisa's coach, Ariel Azucena, supported her decision.

"Kung saan siya kampante doon ako kasi tuwing nakikita kong tumatakbo ito, nakapaa talaga eh."

("Wherever she is confident, I'll support her because I really see her running barefoot.")

Meanwhile, John Mike Brinas, a 15-year-old boxer from Ligao City, Albay, said he is determined to show his talent despite naysayers putting him done.

Brinas competes in the junior boys 44-46 kg boxing event.

"'Pag marunong kang bumangon, kaya mong maabot ang pangarap mo, pati lahat ng ambisyon na gusto mong makamit" Brinas said.

("If you know how to bounce back, you will reach your dreams and ambitions.")

Brinas said he grew up lacking confidence and has been on the receiving end of criticisms, even from his family.

"Habang nagte-training, meron po sa 'king nambu-bully, kapamilya ko po o kamag-anak ko po. Sinasabihan po akong ''Wag mo na 'yan ituloy dahil wala ka naman diyang maabot,'" Brinas said.

"Pinagsikapan ko po, pinakita ko po lahat na umaasenso ako."

("I have been bullied by my family and relatives while training because they said I will not reach anything here. I strived and showed them that I can grow.")

The Palarong Pambansa will run until Saturday.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/MGP, GMA Integrated News