Being an athlete didn’t stop Palma from excelling in her studies

FEU middle blocker Remy Palma. TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net

Remy Palma was launched into mainstream popularity when she and Mika Reyes went at it in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament.

During the semifinals matchup between Palma’s Far Eastern University and Reyes’ De La Salle University, the Lady Tamaraw matched up the Lady Spikers’ intensity and swagger with good old-fashioned mind games.

For every Reyes taunt, there was a resounding Palma counter.

Palma, though, wasn’t just pissing off one of UAAP’s most feared middle blockers, she was also doing it with scientific precision.

A Psychology major in FEU, Palma has found an avenue to release what she learned and Reyes just happened to be in front of her.

Palma may have lost the series to Reyes and eventual champions Lady Spikers but on Saturday, the FEU captain got the UAAP equivalent of a scholastic medal—the Athlete Scholar award given to players who not only excel inside the court but also in the classroom.

“Sobrang sarap sa feeling, lalo na mas naipadama ko na proud ang parents ko sa akin kasi kinaya ko na kahit athlete ako, naisabay ko ito sa pag-aaral,” said Palma at University of the Philippines’ Bahay ng Alumni in Diliman during the league’s closing ceremonies.

Palma finished her major in four years, earlier than most student-athletes who finish their undergraduate studies in five years.

“Kung kaya naman kasi ngayon, bakit ipapabukas pa? Para sa akin another achievement ito and balak ko mag masteral. Sayang scholarship na ibibigay, gamitin ko yun para makapag-aral uli and another achievement na naman yun para sa akin.”

With another year left to play in the UAAP, Palma wants to make sure she maximizes her time in FEU.

Palma said she wants to pursue a Masters degree in either Industrial Psychology or Sports Psychology, two branches of thought she said the Philippines lacks the familiarity with.

Not only did Palma prove student-athletes can finish their studies quickly, and pursue higher education, she also wants to be an example to her younger teammates.

“Sinasabihan ko yung mga bata, ‘Dapat matapos niyo within four years ang course niyo kasi mas masarap sa feeling,’” said Palma.

Palma said one of the main factors why she had laser focus on her academics was the joy she finds in studying Psychology.

“Una, hindi ako ganoon ka interesado then nung second semester nung first year ako nagkaroon na ng mga major subjects so naging interesado na ako mag-aral,” said Palma, who initially wanted to pursue Culinary but upon finding out Psychology presented more opportunities for her to learn she quickly jumped ship.

Palma added with the tight schedule, especially during the volleyball tournament, she had to bring in her notes and journals during training.

Good thing for her, Lady Tamaraws head coach Shaq Delos Santos was fully supportive of her, and her teammates’, studies.

“May journals kami and pag may time na once nag break kami sa training basa ako ng kaunti, parang kahit konting lines lang mabasa at least na memorize ko,” said Palma.