The Varsitarian

AMID the tight and tough UAAP competition that they have to combat in order to secure UST’s 38th overall plum, Thomasian athletes are set to take a short break and relax their physiques a bit.

With the cool December breeze hovering through España, the sports heroes of UST share with the Varsitarian their Christmas traditions:

“Back home in Cameroon, I usually go to my Christian friends during the holidays and they do the same with us during Ramadan. Here in Manila, it’s all about rest and relaxation and a lot of eating. Whenever my friends and I come across fireworks, we usually go to the top of the highest building and watch the spectacle from up there.” – Karim Abdul, Growling Tigers

“During the Christmas break, I usually go back to Cebu to celebrate the holidays with my family. Aside from the usual Noche Buena, we also give gifts to each other and complete the nine masses of Simbang Gabi. But before going back to Cebu, UST organizes a Christmas party for us athletes at the dormitory.” - Lovely Basa, softball

“Noche Buena and just bonding with my wife’s family in Tarlac is what we do during the holidays. Also, I give my players some gifts if they do well in the games.” - Henberd Ortalla, Tiger Paddlers coach

“My siblings go back home to Iligan and we all go to church together and eat with our lolos and lolas. We also host a large party complete with lechon for the employees in our store and daddy’s staff.” – Jane Pacaña, womens’ football

“We (family) usually stay up all night, and then visit our titos and titas.” - Hanniel Abella, fencing

 “We celebrate Mass then when it’s 12 ‘o clock, nagpapaputok kami.” - Roger Denolo, track and field

“We always pray that we’re complete during Christmas.” - Kasulhay Argel, baseball

 “Our family’s youngest member gets to host the party, then we eat and sing.” - Dane Pio de Roda, taekwondo

“I go home to Paranaque and spend the time with my whole family because I’m rarely home since I’m staying at the dorm during class days.” - Jeric Fortuna, Tigers team captain

“For the team, Christmas party with some surprise presentation from both Teams A and B. Also, we play parlor games. But personally, I stay home or my in-law’s house.” - Noli Cajefe, Shuttlers head coach

“I reward myself something valuable every Christmas.” - Chona Medina, badminton

“During Christmas, we give gifts to orphans in our place because it’s the season of giving.” - Maica Cortes, women‘s basketball

“Umuuwi kami ng Masbate at tuwing pasko lagi kaming nagmamano sa mga ninong at ninang namin. Pero ngayon dahil malapit na magsimula ang UAAP chess, dito na siguro ako sa dorm magsi-celebrate.” - Gerard Ferriol, Woodpushers team captain

“I believe in the saying ‘Give love on Christmas day’ so I give gifts although I have a tight budget (during the holidays).” - Cyrus Alcantara, Tigersharks head coach

“Like a typical Filipino family, we exchange gifts, and at exactly 12, we eat. Hindi nawawala ang chocolate roll cake sa handaan.” - Claudette Rosales, taekwondo

“We get all members of the family including my aunts and grandfather together during noche Buena.” - Nicko Bahia, Tiger cubs