Not all victors return home with a happy face despite winning the gold.
Ronie Trinidad, this year’s gold medalist in the dance sports category of the Palarong Pambansa held in Vigan City, came home to his hometown in Koronadal City, South Cotabato with a heavy heart.
While competing in the national games, which is every student athlete’s dream competition, his mother died of stage 4 lung cancer.
Behind the stellar performances of competitors in the Palaro were narratives of fine hard work, sacrifices, and bitter-sweet triumphs.
Like all athletes, Trinidad left his hometown and went to Vigan focused on winning the game and bringing home the gold medal, but even before he can perform on the dance floor, he received the news of his mother’s passing.
Despite the sad news, Koronadal’s dance athlete prevailed and went on to win the gold medal for Juvenile D Latin Dance Category and a silver medal for Juvenile C Latin dance category.
After waiting for 11 days to come home, Trinidad finally made it to Koronodal City to offer his medal to his mother, Maricar Trinidad, who had a fought a long battle with cancer.
Ronnie’s cousin, Alex Christian Namoca, tweeted that right after arriving home from the games, he offered his medals to his mother.
“My cousin just got home from Palarong Pambansa. He immediately offered his medals to his mother who died while he was still in Vigan,” Namoca posted on twitter.
My cousin just got home from Palarong Pambansa. He immediately offered his medals to his mother who died while he was still in Vigan. 😭 pic.twitter.com/wJVigHkIcG
— Christian (@accnamoca) April 20, 2018
In an interview with Inquirer.net, Trinidad said his mother originally wanted him to take piano lessons, but he decided to attend a summer training program in dance instead.
He shared that he eventually got his mother’s support to pursue the sport until he became the gold medalist for the Latin dance sport in this year’s Palarong Pambansa. He said his mom would have been with him in Vigan if she did not get sick.
“Na sad gid ako. Pero gin isip ko nga dapat maging strong gid ko. Mayad lang ara ang coaching staff kag team mates ko nga nag comfort sa akon [I was really sad, but I kept the motivation to go on, to compete, and get the gold medal. My coach and teammates were there for me],” Trinidad said.
“Pagtawag sang gold, happy kaayo ko kah emotional. Pati mga team mates ko emotional man [I am very emotional. I cried when they called my name to announce that I won the gold medal.] I really want to make my Mama and Papa proud,” he added.
When Trinidad first joined Palaro last year, he finished with a bronze medal. He said he promised his mother that he will win the gold this year.
“Ma, kung nandyan ka man, bantayan mo kami, sila Kuya, Papa, sila Tita, pati mga pinsan ko,” he added. /ee