Surprised to see not only adults on the walls but also kids. Amira Acac who is the mother of Amani, sees the transformation of her child when it comes to discipline, diet and determination. The character building of climbing has taken its course on her daughter in just a short span of time (roughly 2 months).
Amani has learned and understood the lesson that you have to work through the pain, and if you fail, you can always try again. Mr. and Mrs. Belen, who brings Boris, Mishkia and Iva to the gym have seen their children grow to be self motivated, confident, and become more enduring when it comes to challenges. In a controlled environment, children can use their energy to do more and develop their body parts. Before the children were fond of gadgets, but with some trips to the gym, they’ve lessen their attention to electronic devices and are seeking more physical activities.
The cultural richness and diversity of a climbing gym can surprise you, Ms. Claire Fisher who works in a Cagayan de Oro outsourcing firm found Guru on the internet. She met with some of the climbers and its safe to say she’s found a family in the gym. I could really agree to her statement that climbing is made up of tiny steps of progress; you have to appreciate small victories.
The gym is also a pool for national team material. Glenn Lominique, Jethro Hallazgo, and Andrelin Pareño who are part of the country’s climbing team is native to Guru and from the city of golden friendship. After talking to them, they all had one significant insight which I hope can and will be changed by future advocates and possible supporters.
Money Matters, as sad as it sounds, it is the reality which these athletes face. Without financial support, they can’t travel to Manila or any other climbing competitions or programs (local or abroad).
Glenn who is top 6 in the national team has been climbing for 6 years. Jethro is part of the second team of team Philippines and has been climbing for roughly 5 years. Andrein or otherwise known as “Drei” has 4 years of experience under her belt. From being invited to the gym by friends, having the desire to teach and pass on knowledge to kids, and setting out goals to conquer yourself and competitions, these 3 are doing much for the community, the city, and the country. I hope that they get the chance they deserve to prove themselves.
Local heroes are local talents. Guru is one of those places where you can see that. It is a home for parents to teach their kids the reality of life and why perseverance is a must, it is a place for athletes to break boundaries and learn to never give up, and its walls is monumental to the vision and dreams of Mikhail and Jan Gorra. For 3 weeks of climbing, I have learned ever so surely in the gym that life isn’t just about what you know, but what you are willing to learn.
