Published: 10:26 am October 16, 2023 | Updated: 9:16 am October 31, 2023
“We just have to love yo-yo, set a goal and everything else follows.”
Said Far Eastern University High School Grade 12 STEM student, Aldrin Brylle Marapao, to aspiring yo-yo enthusiasts.
Photo by: Aldrin Brylle Marapao
“We just have to love yo-yo, set a goal and everything else follows.”
Said Far Eastern University High School Grade 12 STEM student, Aldrin Brylle Marapao, to aspiring yo-yo enthusiasts.
In a whirl of skillful pins and deft maneuvers, Aldrin seized gold in the Pro 1A Division of the Philippine National Yo-Yo Championship last Sept. 17 at SM Marikina. Having defended his title last year, Aldrin is set to once again compete at the World Yo-Yo Contest in Cleveland, Ohio, USA next year.
Achieving championship status, especially in a sport as demanding as yo-yo-ing, entails a disciplined routine. Juggling this with the rigors of Grade 12 academics is no small feat. Aldrin balances his studies and his yo-yo career through a disciplined routine with the support of his family, friends, and teachers.
The defending national yo-yo champion acknowledges the profound influence that FEU High School has on his journey. FEU instilled in him a tenacity to persevere, even in the face of challenges. Aldrin added that his teachers played a pivotal role by offering the necessary guidance and academic interventions that he needs.
“FEU is like a family. Going to school is just like seeing relatives who are willing to teach us life lessons. It’s never really any different from the values that my parents have sowed in me since I was born– honesty, generosity, gratitude and humility,” Aldrin mentioned, reflecting on his experiences in the university.
Looking beyond the national championship, Aldrin has his sights set on a global stage. He dreams of ascending to the pinnacle and etching his name alongside yo-yo idols. A proud member, and the only Filipino member, of the esteemed American team, Yoyo Factory, Aldrin aspires to match the achievements of his accomplished teammates, many of whom have clinched world championships.
For those who tread the path of yo-yo-ing while juggling academic commitments, love for the art, coupled with steadfast goals, forms the cornerstone. With these elements in place, success naturally follows, a testament to Aldrin’s unwavering passion and dedication to this extraordinary sport.
