It is a familiar scene—a kid slumped in a plastic chair, staring at a glowing screen, fingers only moving to tap, swipe, or peck. Outside, however, a ball rolls down the street, a soccer ball flies over into the ditch, and a bike rusts in the yard, its chain long dry, and unturned since time immemorial. The tragedy is not that youth are turning away from sports; it’s that they’re missing out on something much greater—something that shapes character, toughens the body, and instructs in life itself in ways no schoolroom or smartphone ever could.

I have never known an athlete who did not know patience. A swimmer knows the torture of waiting for the starting pistol. A runner senses the searing seconds before the race begins. A boxer absorbs the blows, rides out the rounds, and waits for his moment to strike. Sports involve a kind of waiting that is not passive—it is an art form in itself, a sign of how well an individual can keep in check the fire within without it burning out. Children, more than ever before today, need to learn that not everything is immediate, that wins are sometimes decades in the making, and that life’s greatest experiences are earned, not taken.

And what of discipline? Anybody who’s ever trained an athlete knows that discipline is the quiet force behind every triumph. Discipline is getting up with the sun before everyone else, doing a run when nobody else has the self-control to. It is doing the same drill, the same movement, over and over until muscle memory kicks in. It is refusing distractions, refusing sloth, and embracing effort, sweat, and improvement. Sports instill the type of discipline that overflows into all other areas—into schoolwork, work, and personal success. A student who learns to struggle through fatigue on the field can struggle through adversity in life.

Aside from individual values, sport provides something no single activity can—esprit de corps. A basketball team is not a group of players; it is a commitment, a promise to struggle, to win, and to lose together. A relay team makes all their speed irrelevant if they cannot properly pass the baton at the precise moment. Football players know that nothing can replace weak teamwork no matter how great an individual. In a time when young people are more isolated from one another by social networking and virtual lives, sport provides us with an actual, bodily connection with other people—something that cannot be substituted by a “like” or comment online.

And finally, there’s resilience—most likely the greatest lesson of them all. All the players are familiar with defeat, but only those who come back to the game, to the track, to the ring ever win. Losing a game is shameful. Hurting yourself hurts so much. Seeing someone else hold the trophy you have worked so hard for is painful. Sport allows young people to stand up, dust themselves off, and try again. In a world that sometimes teaches them to give up at the very first sign of challenge, sport educates them that failure is not a finale but a stepping stone to achievement.

Even health—so rudimentary, so instinctual—is in jeopardy now. Childhood obesity is increasing, posture is on the decline, and energy is in freefall because children are sitting more and moving less. The body wasn’t designed to be sedentary. It was made to move, to work, to play. Sports, or sports will not happen, and teen bodies pale, and young minds become unsettled. And yet we stand in awe asking why depression, fear, and inattention are more terrible than ever among youth. Movement is therapy, and the best prescription for it is sport.

Others claim that sports are nothing but a distraction, an avoidance of something more “serious.”. But I disagree—sports are some of the most honest teachers out there. They teach patience when life requires waiting. They teach discipline when distractions abound. They promote friendship when loneliness is waiting. They teach perseverance when failure is knocking. They keep healthy when contemporary life is attempting to kill it. To refer to sports as play is to miss the whole point.

So let the children run and jump and play. Let them grunt and sweat, win and lose, fight and fall, and rise again. Let them learn, not merely how to shoot a goal or hit a ball, but how to live—with patience, self-discipline, strength, with heart. Because at the end of the day, sports don’t make athletes; they make people who know how to conquer the world. And that’s a game worth playing.

The celebrations for the past four decades had been concentrated in that small piece of land named EDSA and never once in the wider planes elsewhere all over this country. The limited celebration has practically placed in the dustbin of the forgotten, those real heroes who really fought the dictatorship to regain our lost freedom and democracy. We have been captivated by the big event at EDSA that we lost sight of the essence of the long struggle.

It is really inaccurate to celebrate the People Power Revolution as a mere EDSA incident.
The portrait of opportunists who sneaked through the thick crowd that converged at EDSA just to grab the limelight at the hour of victory is simply revolting. Those who managed to be at center stage to be acclaimed heroes were in truth the cowards who holed themselves hiding in fear at the most dangerous moments. These are the people who defected from the dictator but instead of leading the people in confronting the enemy, they hid in fear and called on the people for protection, only to come out when the despot had flown away in defeat and claim credit as heroes of the peaceful revolution.

A year less than two scores since the successful ouster of the conjugal dictator of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, the title of the book written by Primitivo “Tibo” Medrana Mijares (November 17, 1931 – disappeared 1977) was a Filipino journalist, author, war hero, and former press censor and propagandist. He served the Marcos dictatorship before defecting in 1974 to testify before the US congress about the despotic rule of the conjugal dictatorship.

Over the years, the Marcos family managed to return to the country and eventually regained power using the riches they have from the dictator who was hailed for the greatest robbery of a government by the Guiness Book of World Records. Mysteriously, the link in that Guiness Book of World Records disappeared and could no longer be accessed since 15 March 2022. Meanwhile, the namesake of the late dictator is now the magical president that is being tagged by the former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte as a dictator, such allegation coming after the breakup and eventual impeachment of his daughter vice-president. They too have managed to surreptitiously bury the dictatator in the Libingan ng mga Bayani by the grace of then president Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

The true spirit of that People Power Revolution is now being waylaid by the very people who shamelessly grabbed power and the accolade of that historic event. It is indeed a catastrophic landslide of misfortunes to have one doubtful leader who rose to power by the second staging of People Power desecrate the spirit of that peaceful revolution. This was followed by the rise to the presidency of the magical president who is the namesake of the ousted dictator. A déjà vu of the evils that People Power defeated more than two decades ago are confronting us once more because the leaders who are but mere opportunist pretenders had kept abusing EDSA.
comments to alellema@yahoo.com

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It takes grit, resilience, and an unwavering determination to succeed. A determined entrepreneur is a force to be reckoned with, capable of overcoming even the most daunting obstacles and achieving greatness. In this article, we’ll explore the strength of a determined entrepreneur and what sets them apart from the rest.

A Visionary Mindset

Determined entrepreneurs have a clear vision for their business and are driven by a passion to bring it to life. They’re not easily swayed by setbacks or naysayers, instead using criticism as fuel to push forward. This unwavering commitment to their vision allows them to stay focused on their goals, even when faced with uncertainty.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

The path to success is rarely smooth, and determined entrepreneurs are no strangers to failure. However, they don’t let setbacks define them. Instead, they learn from their mistakes, adapt, and move forward with renewed determination. This resilience is key to overcoming the inevitable obstacles that arise in business.

A Growth Mindset

Determined entrepreneurs embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. They’re not afraid to take calculated risks, experiment with new approaches, and push beyond their comfort zones. This mindset allows them to innovate, improve, and stay ahead of the curve.

Unrelenting Drive

A determined entrepreneur’s drive is contagious, inspiring others to join their mission. They’re willing to put in the long hours, make sacrifices, and push through exhaustion to achieve their goals. This unrelenting drive is what sets them apart from those who merely dream of success.

Key Characteristics

Successful entrepreneurs aren’t just lucky; they possess a unique blend of qualities that drive their success. They have a clear vision, a roadmap for their goals that guides every decision. They’re resilient, bouncing back from setbacks with unwavering determination.

They adapt to change, embracing new opportunities with open arms. Their passion fuels their relentless pursuit of excellence, while their laser-like focus keeps them on track.

They’re willing to take calculated risks, understanding that growth often requires stepping outside of comfort zones. And they possess a tireless work ethic, fueled by an unwavering commitment to success. These characteristics, combined, form the foundation for entrepreneurial triumph.

Clear vision: A burning purpose that fuels every decision, illuminating a path to success with unwavering clarity.

Resilience: An unyielding spirit that weathers any storm, rising above setbacks with renewed vigor and unwavering determination.

Adaptability: A chameleon’s ability to seamlessly shift and adjust to changing circumstances, embracing new opportunities with open arms.

Passion: A fire in their belly that fuels their relentless pursuit of excellence, driving them to innovate and push boundaries.

Focus: A laser-sharp concentration on their goals, relentlessly prioritizing tasks and overcoming distractions to achieve their vision.

Risk tolerance: A calculated gamble, embracing the unknown with a fearless spirit and a keen understanding of potential rewards.

Strong work ethic: A tireless dedication to their craft, fueled by an unwavering commitment to success and a willingness to go the extra mile.

Real-World Examples:

1. J.K. Rowling: Rejected 12 times, she persevered to publish the Harry Potter series, now a global phenomenon.

2. Steve Jobs: Fired from Apple, he returned to revolutionize the tech industry.

3. Walt Disney: Bankrupted and rejected, he went on to create the Disney empire.

Conclusion:

A determined entrepreneur is an unstoppable force, driven by a clear vision, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to success. Their strength lies in their ability to overcome obstacles, adapt to challenges, and inspire others to join their mission. If you’re an entrepreneur, tap into your inner determination and watch your business thrive. Remember, the only way to guarantee failure is to give up – and determined entrepreneurs never do.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!