Photo from the Department of Health.
STILL OUR GREATEST WEALTH—As the pandemic continues and, unfortunately, worsens in our country, we are constantly facing a huge number of health-related issues that are not even directly caused by the virus. Most people spend the majority of their time inside their homes, limiting their space and ability to do their usual and preferred exercises and routines.
With this, the World Health Organization (WHO) in this year’s World Health Day encourages the people to contribute to “building a fairer, healthier world”.
Held annually every April 7, the celebration encourages the people to promote a healthier environment that can help us with our physical, emotional, and mental well-being, aiding us throughout our present experiences and challenges.
Just like any other great Letranite, the members of the men’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams have also been put into similar situations when it comes to trying to balance their studies, health, extra-curricular activities, and personal lives,
For Lady Knights Daisy Melendres and Lea Rizel Tapang, it has been about trying to find the perfect balance between every responsibility they have.
Melendres shared that she tries to do these things without a fixed routine. She mentioned that she would only finish academic tasks and house chores on a single day, then her workouts would be done on days that she is free. 30 minutes HIIT dynamic cardio-workouts, abs, and weights exercises are her go-to routines during the pandemic.
For Tapang, it has been very different for she often spends most of her time religiously on training and studying, a testament to her commitment to both. At present, she has resorted to jogging as her routine to maintain shape.
Aside from that, 2019 NCAA Finals MVP Fran Yu and big men Ato Ular and Jeo Ambohot have the same routines. The three had identical methods: eating healthy, getting enough sleep, doing extra work, and consuming more Vitamin C. Ambohot added that it is important to impose self-discipline, while Ular reiterates that we should never forget about our academic responsibilities.
One can say that an individual has their own method of trying to balance all their responsibilities. We can surely learn a lot from the stories and routines of our fellow Knights. Keeping ourselves physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy is as challenging as it could get. One thing is for sure: health is important and staying healthy should be one’s top priority especially during a pandemic.