Palaro-bound Davao teen wins gold with worn-out shoes

Lorenz Datiles of Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte will be heading to the Palarong Pambansa in Cebu in July after winning five gold medals in the Davao Regional Athletic Association Meet last April.

According to the Department of Education Region XI's page, Datiles won gold in the 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, 4×100-meter, and 4×400-meter relay events.

The 17-year old student athlete, along with his teammates, won all these despite his worn-out shoes.

His spike shoes have been dilapidated and are being held on by stitches. Other members of the team also share the same pair.

"Tinatahi din namin 'pag nasisira. Bumibili kami ng pandikit, mag ambag-ambagan kami," Datiles said in an episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho on April 21.

Despite the shoes being dilapidated, he still preferred to use it because it has been a reliable pair for him.

"Sobrang gaan kasi. Para akong lumilipad ‘pag ito ‘yung gamit," he said. "Nasanay na 'yung paa mo. Parang mahirap siyang ilayo."

Still, Datiles is proud of what he has achieved despite the limited resources.

"Malayo pa pero malayo na ako sa dating ako," Datiles said.

"Marami pang kakaining bigas... Baka soon ako na din yung makapunta dun sa Olympic, baka palarin."

Support for Datiles

The local government unit of the province of Davao del Norte admitted there may be shortcomings, but they still provided support to its student-athletes.

"Tanggap natin na may kulang, obviously 'yung sa sapatos. Pero 'yung DepEd, maging 'yung LGU, malaki rin ang naibigay na tulong. Meron tayong magandang rubberized sports complex, kung saan every so often nandito sila upang magsanay," said Giovanni Gulanes, the Sports Director of Davao del Norte.

"Sa bahagi ng province ng Davo del Norte, sinagot po ng probinsiya 'yung kanilang uniporme, sapatos, pagkain, transportation, vitamins, insurance."

"Ang usaping pondo sa sports kailanman hindi naging sapat. Kasi hindi naman natin kayang magkipag-compete sa budget sa agrikultura, sa imprastruktura, sa health. Ang sports ay parating nasa second."

Davao del Norte track and field coach Beverly Villarino also said he has personally applied for a loan to support Datiles and his team.

"Personally nag-loan po ako, I spent P20,000 just to buy spike shoes," said Villarino.

"May kakulangan pero sa ibang banda naman hindi ko puwede sabihin na walang suporta po yung LGU especially sa DepEd. 'Yung budget lang kasi limitado."

In the episode, Datiles also received a new pair of shoes from his former teacher and coach Claire Mahilum, and shoes and training equipment for his team from Davao Sneaker House led by Oliver Montero.

Santo Tomas LGU executive assistant secretary Ernie Pamplona also said they are willing to help Datiles and other student-athletes.

But aside from heading to the Palarong Pambansa, Datiles received good news as he was also selected as part of the national team which will compete in the ASEAN School Games in Vietnam this year.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News