This maybe my last entry for this year and hopefully I’d be able to cover everything & sum it all up in this one blog..
what a ride it has been for my 2011. its one crazy but awesome ride! =) and I couldn’t ask for anything more. From getting into Photography up to surprisingly immersing myself into travelling and (the most suprising of all) Sports! Playing Rugby & soccer has got me to a lot of places already and led me to meeting the most wonderful bunch people on earth. t’was truly amazing how these sports transform lives, changes lives coz it did wonders changing mine. =)
i ended the year with quite a bang actually. i got myself involved into a National Rugby Event held in Rizal Memorial Football Stadium — the Asian Rugby Junior Championships 2011. what started as just a mere wishful thinking of being able to join & work with the Philippine Rugby Football Union became a reality when among the pool of applicants for PRFU Liason Officers, I was one of those lucky ones chosen by the board to be a volunteer.
to be honest, i had no idea what i’m getting into, i just went on with it and finished everything. there’s nothing much waiting for a volunteer well aside from ample supply of food when you’re in the hotel or the quarters. there’s no fee for effort and time, no nothing ergo you really have to mean it (being a volunteer) and you should love what you do otherwise all the crap thrown at you while doing the volunteer work can get into your head and there’s no telling what you’ll do next, you might go berserk.
The tournament started December 13 and lasted till December 17 but the tournament week officially ended last sunday, December 18, when all the participating countries Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, & Korea boarded their flights back to their home land. T’was hell week for everybody, the PRFU board, Admins, and staff and for us Liason Officers too! we’re 8 (but 9 originally. one backed out a few hours before our week started) and there were 4 participating countries including Philippines U-20 team. so the 8 of us were split into 4 groups, a pair of LOs for each team. to simply put it, our task is to make the teams’ lives easier all through out their stay here in the country. and i’d say, we did a great job doing just that! and at the end of the tournament, our charges, the teams we handle became our friends. it almost feels like a second family to me… =)
it was a tough competition with South Korea proving that they really are at the top of their game winning all their games and was hailed as the champions for this year. taking the 2nd spot was Chinese Taipei, losing just a game versus power house Korea and 3rd placers were my kids from Malaysia. And (heart-breaking to admit) 4th placers were our own Philippine Junior Volcanoes.
I saw them battling it out on the field. watched them almost cutting each other throats to just win but it totally amazed me when the tourney was over and awarding was done, we’re all back to our hotel, the teams, all of the players went out of their way to get to know other players from the other teams! its as if nothing happened. it seems like they were friends for the longest time. they exchanged jerseys, some even asked for a photo opt from other players. it was amazing to see them bonding after a do-or-die match. really cool as a matter of fact. that is what i really call ‘fair play’ =)
Malaysia & Chinese Taipei bonding with us! 
see the boy in the middle & the one standing at the back, both are from the Malaysian team & the rest are from Chinese Taipei team. They were like long lost friends seeing each other again after years of being apart. i really am in awe coz just the other day they were going head to head against each other on the field. really amazing these boys are! =)
my boys with the Chinese Taipei team... =)
My boys (Malaysia) with the Chinese Taipei team. Zakiy was even wearing the jersey of Chinese Taipei. Really amazing how one sport can forge ties and friendships despite the competition it presents. =)
another amazing thing that happened to me that week was I met people who became my friends! we couldn’t get enough of each others’ company as in literally. If i’ll describe this meeting it’ll be a ‘match made in heaven’, its a perfect fit. We jived and that’s it. on the picture is (left to right) Kenny, LO for Philippine Junior Volcanoes, Nikki, LO for Chinese Taipei, & JV my ever reliable partner and we’re both assigned to Team Malaysia. =)
on this picture is Ms. Mel, Admin Manager of PRFU, Kuya Ren & Mika. Both are volunteers too for this event. Truly is an honor working for this people.
and this is the big boss, Coach Matt! the commander in chief! hey boss! =)
and of course, we’ve got our own boss, Junnel (with JV and Nikki)! Junnel is the go-to girl of everybody. ask her and fo sho she’ll be able to answer you!
and presenting! the rest of the LOs team! (left to right) Lady Volcanoe Manila Santos, Noel Villa, Kenny Gil & Jaime Leogardo. we’re the dream team!
some of the pictures during the matches..
Philippine Junior Volcanoes versus Korea
Ned Stephenson getting tackled by 2 Koreans.
go Baby Volcanoes! get that ball!
scrum!
the Malaysian team! really proud of my boys! although I wish they’d all stop smoking.. take cigars out and I’d bet they’ll perform even better! =)
Teacher Nikki’s boys! Chinese Taipei! =)
game started! of course i’m rooting for my team Malaysia! Malaysia lost to Chinese Taipei in this game but just the same, I still am proud of them, t’was a close fight and they gave their best.
trying all their best to win!
made friends with the Malaysian team too! But it was Zakiy (the one holding the ball) was the closest to us LOs. He loves to hang out in our room, loves talking & telling stories, very talkative. He’s probably one of the nicest people i met during the event. We miss you Zakiy! and all your stories & funny antics! :>
in that 1 week of working and bonding with these people, i’ve learned a lot. grateful to have experienced everything. i’d say i came out a better person. i was able to know my strengths & weaknesses. proud of all my achievements and extremely happy that i did my job well. i really don’t mind working hard free of charge as long as i see all my effort turned into something great. something that i’d be proud of even if i live a hundred years or so..
i always say this coz this is important and every volunteer should remember this phrase:
“VOLUNTEER NOT TO BUILD YOUR RESUME, BUT SO YOU CAN BUILD YOURSELF..”
and true enough, through this wonderful experience, I was able to build myself and I came out a whole lot a better person than I was before…
Hope you guys had a wonderful year too and may we all be blessed with a fruitful and meaningful years ahead. =)
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! =)
Greetings! Very helpful advice on this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!