Best setter on the court, best setter in the classroom.
Adamson University Lady Falcons’ main setter, Angelica Alcantara, proved that being a student-athlete is not a hindrance to excelling in academics when she graduated with flying colors last Thursday.
Looking back at her graduation, Alcantara revealed that she couldn’t contain her excitement but coincidentally felt nervous when she took the stage for one of the biggest moments of her life. She finished her B.S.E.S.S. major in Fitness & Sports Management and graduated magna cum laude, but she had not yet informed her family yet.
“Super excited po ako, like ‘this is it!’ Ganun po yung feeling. At the same time, kinakabahan kung paano ko po idedeliver yung speech ko, kasi hindi ko po talaga forte yung speaking and hindi ko po alam yung magiging reaction ng family ko kasi wala po talaga silang idea na awardee ako at mag-speech,” Alcantara said.
After all the preparation, including the sleepless nights, Alcantara could finally pat herself on the back.
“Sobrang proud po ako sa sarili ko, kasi po worth it po yung practice, yung puyat tsaka po yung kaba,” she added.
The journey wasn’t all that easy, according to Alcantara. Hailing from Orani, Bataan, she had a hard time adjusting to life in Manila.
“At first nahirapan po ako dahil galing po ako province then wala po akong relatives dito sa manila, so yung adjustments po hindi po talaga naging madali,” bared the Lady Falcons’ chief playmaker.
However, she pushed through and poured out blood, sweat, and tears to fulfill her dream.
“Pero mahal ko po talaga yung ginagawa ko eh which is yung paglalaro ng volleyball at yung course ko, so naging madali na siya kasi kasama ko rin yung coaches and teammates ko along the way,” she continued.
In the end, all the sacrifices were worth it when she saw her family beaming with pride.
“Ang sarap po sa feeling na makita yung family mo na proud na proud sayo, lalo na po yung parents mo. Priceless po yung naging reaction nila para sa akin.”
With a volleyball award in the past, an academic award in the present, and more awards on the horizon, Alcantara dedicates all her achievements to her family, who live approximately 60 kilometers away.
Family ko rin po talaga yung nag-inspire sa’kin and sa kanila ko rin po dinededicate tong achievement na ‘to kasi alam ko po na pinangarap din po nila to para sa sarili nila and sila po talaga yung naging motivation ko simula nung nagsisimula po ako until now.
To all student-athletes aspiring to be, here’s a piece of advice from Alcantara.
“Hindi po hadlang yung pagiging atleta para makapagtapos ng pag-aaral, kundi isa po ‘to sa dahilan para tayo’y makapagtapos nang pag-aaral at makuha yung pinakamagdang regalo na pwede nating ibigay sating pamilya which is yung diploma po.”
