Athletes who come from such provinces have long viewed Manila as the land of opportunities.

With the capital being home to some of the best teams, coaches, and training equipment, young men and women are charmed by the opportunities provided to them in hopes of becoming the best in the world.

While many get to carve their names among the greatest in their respective sports, their struggles coming into the busiest region in the country are rarely discussed.

In an exclusive interview with TomasinoWeb, two athletes stepped up and provided a glimpse of what young athletes like them experienced as journey folks who stepped foot upon Manila to showcase their skills.

Sophomores Adam Putian, a two-time bronze medalist from the UST Tiger Fencers, along with UST Lady Jin Arianne Espida, of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences are two of the many athletes who traveled to Manila and got their shot at the UAAP.

Slicing through the challenges

Hailing from the isle of Leyte in Visayas, Putian’s journey from the laid-back landscapes of Ormoc City to the electrifying, fast-paced urban sprawl of Manila is nothing short of inspiring.

Joining a school as prestigious as the University of Santo Tomas was a dream come true for him. However, Putian, being the captain for the UST Tiger Fencing Épée team since his first year as a Thomasian, had his fair share of problems through his rookie year.

“I had a preconceived idea of what my life in Manila would be like, but upon experiencing it, it has been an absolute roller coaster of emotions,” the UAAP Season 86 men’s fencing épée bronze medalist shared.

“In my hometown, the environment is more chill… here in Manila City, it is the absolute opposite,” he added.

A regime of “sleeping, training, and praying” allowed him to eventually cope with the daily challenges of being a Manileño and ground himself in routine and faith to navigate the city’s hectic pace.

Grateful for his parents and friends who were nothing but very supportive in him moving to Manila, he also had his own support system in his arrival in the city. “[My] kuyas from Ormoc and also my church; they are only one call away if ever I may need help,” he noted.

The Sports Science student also shared that he was very nervous and was affected by how the environment is too overwhelming. “It was overwhelming because of the fast-paced culture that I see and feel every day whenever I go outside of my dorm, which was different compared to my chill-paced provincial life,” he emphasized.

As he stood against these challenges, he draws inspiration from the resilient Kalachuchi flower, "[It is] a flower that thrives even in harsh environments… [It is] something I strive to embody in my life and work," the fencer remarked.

A familiar challenge

Espida’s journey from Bacolod to Manila was also challenged by the non-stop motion of the city and the people who lived in it, from its people, the environment, and the fierce competitiveness of athletes in the capital.

Moving to a new city hindered her performances and composure during training and matches. Learning new techniques from more experienced peers and coaches was also a challenge upon joining the Lady Jins.

“I was really nervous because it was a new environment and a big world for me. [Manila was a] big world compared to the province where you would just know everyone [you were competing against],” Espida said.

Luckily, her past experiences in Manila served as a light that guided her towards making Manila her second home. Espida also said that adjusting was simply a matter of improving and maintaining her wellness.

“Balancing academics and training [were important for me]. I made sure to prioritize my time, stay organized, and set specific goals for both my studies and athletics,” she said.

“Having teammates and coaches who expect the best from me encourages me to work harder and stay disciplined,” Espida added.

While she did settle in pretty quickly within the spaces of Manila, Espida did admit that she is no stranger to suffering from homesickness.

“It’s not that really easy especially if it’s your first time being away from your family. The feeling of not seeing your family for weeks and months or after a long day in school or training [is hard],” Espida said.

Not all is well

Putian and Espida also spoke out about how athletes coming from the province struggled when it came to managing their finances as commodities in Manila were much more expensive compared to their hometown.

“[The] financial struggle is real [and] never would I imagine the prices that I have seen here would be twice the price of what I see in the province… Imagine the price of a banana here, and there in the province you can just get one sapi from your farm,” the fencer said.

“[Meeting] different people, different personalities…of course you have to adjust for them [if you want] to make friends,” said Espida.

Bullying, according to Putian, is also a huge factor that continues to affect and hinder a young athlete’s performance, especially if they have nobody to share their struggles with.

While he himself was fortunate to avoid being bullied, Putian discussed how athletes who hailed from Visayas or Mindanao were shamed for their skin color and origins.

“Some athletes from the province do [get bullied], just because of being a Bisaya or maitim or [just because they are] not from here, [those] types of stuff,” Putian said.

Family Matters

Before stepping foot in Manila, Espida and her family also had to go through tough decisions regarding her move to a much larger school.

“At first, My mom didn't want me to study in Manila because of financial problems and the struggle of not seeing your kid in college.” Espida said.

While her mom was having second thoughts about Espida’s desire to study in Manila, her passion to pursue her dreams as an athlete never wavered in her heart.

“My friends, coaches, and other family members were really supportive of my journey to pursue college and sports in Manila,” she said.

Espida’s mom eventually gave in and understood her passion to study and fight at the biggest and stage of them all, ultimately allowing Espida to travel and study at UST.

“It was really a tough decision for me to go study and pursue a dream that everyone’s dreaming because it’s indeed a big opportunity,” Espida added.

Continuous support from her friends, teammates, and coaches are what gives her the drive to pursue her passion while away from her family, according to Espida.

A reality check

Putian continues to encourage the younger generation to chase their dreams but still acknowledges the uneven playing field. "In general, no. In the province, you only have little competition compared to Manila; all the best training facilities and coaches are here [in Manila], thus more opportunities to be scouted and [be] trained well." he says, when asked if young provincial athletes have the same opportunities as those training in Manila.

However, even with the limited competition, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and a lack of top-tier coaches, Putian is confident in provincial athletes, who, with just a bit more support, could compete on par with the country’s best. “The athletes in the province are a diamond[s] in the rough; with a little more support, they could have a chance to be the best in the country,” he believes.

Espida, on the other hand, believes that although athletes from the provinces are lagging behind those in Manila in terms of development, they have other ways of coping.

“They don’t have the exact equal opportunities as those who trained in Manila [have]... but there are athletes who graduate from universities and become coaches that share their knowledge,” she said.

The second-year Lady Jin also says that helping groom the next generation of athletes is what mainly drove her to pursue a degree in sports science, intending to provide athletes in her hometown with similar privileges she had while training in Manila.

Guiding the Future

The fencer hopes that more athletes from Ormoc City will follow in his footsteps. He offers words of encouragement.

“Keep doing the sport you love and don’t give up just because of one mistake; it’s part of the process… And most importantly, do not forget about God; without God, we are nothing. Always remember that,” Putian said.

Espida also believes that although everyone may have different stories and a different approach to life, the younger generation must never give up on their dreams and must remain passionate regardless of what trials come before them.

“Not everyone has the opportunity and luxury to study in a big school. If you have that opportunity, dream and work hard for it,” Espida said.

“There will be tough days that we really can’t avoid. We just have to go through them and overcome them. Making mistakes is a part of the process too because you can use it as a lesson and learn from it,” she added.

As athletes like her continue their quest for glory, Espida believes that by doing their best and by surrounding themselves with supportive people, things will eventually fall into pieces.