By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Probably one of the most heart-warming and motivational episodes of Guimaras’ Players’ Center Sports Academy was streamed last week on Facebook.
Dr. Richard Gabayoyo and his special guest sat down and talked about life, struggles, and success for almost two hours and inspired hundreds of Guimarasnons and people all around the Philippines who watched the show.
A former 2012 London Olympics Qualifier and a five-consecutive Southeast Asian Games gold medalist in 3K-M steeplechase, Renan Herrera started the show shy, then later on expressed how happy he was with the life he has in the present.
Remembering the days in his hometown, Jordan, Guimaras, where he used to run going to school and embrace how his father molded him, Herrera laughed and cherished the memories that made him stronger.
“Si tatay ko kargador sa pantalan sang una. Ang ginpanumdom ko gid, kung indi ako magpursige ukon magdaog sa mga intrahan ko, indi gid ako maka eskwela college. Ang kapigaduhan gid ang nag duso sa akon para magpursige sa kung diin ako subong,” said Herrera in the show.
The prized national team athletics member also shared his humble beginnings who first joined boxing matches for fun and tried out other sports because of curiosity at a young age.
Herrera humbly said that one of the turning points in his career was winning the Palarong Pambansa which gave him the key in availing an athlete’s scholarship in the Western Institute of Technology (WIT) where he continued his career in running.
“Kinanglan dag-un ko gd to ang Palarong Pambansa kay kung indi, indi ako ka eskwela college. Mayo man kay nadaog ko, naka eskwela ako sa WIT, kag didto na nag umpisa ang career ko asta subong,” added Herrera.
The prized Guimarasnon athlete is currently 41 years of age and is a proud officer under the Military Service of the Philippine Navy.
When Herrera thought that things in life would crumble, all he did was think about his family, who served as his biggest motivation up to now.
