Region VII Softball team bouncing back from quake, super typhoon

BOUNCING BACK. Jan Reese smiles as she bounces back from the quake that rocked Bohol and Super Typhoon Haiyan. Photo by Adrian Portugal/Rappler

LAGUNA, Philippines – Young athletes from Region VII face more than the usual hurdles in their quest for the gold.

Jane Bracher reports.

The road to Palaro was never easy.
The common hurdles: trainings, grades, qualifiers.
But others had to make an epic journey: they survived an earthquake and a super typhoon to get here.
This 14-year old Jan Reese from Cebu.
She's been playing softball all her life.
A tremor turned her life upside down in 2013.

JAN REESE, SOFTBALL PLAYER: At that time, there was a road being repaired. Then we thought the tremor was due to the road repairs. My brother and I panicked. I screamed for my dad because it was so scary.

Jan dreams of getting a scholarship and helping her parents.

JAN REESE, SOFTBALL PLAYER: Yes, that's my dream, for me to get into the national team.

Coach Jackson Genolaga says she has the potential to represent the country in the future.
But super typhoon Haiyan set back their quest for medals in secondary girls softball.

JACKSON GENOLAGA, COACH, REGION VII SECONDARY GIRLS SOFTBALL: After the earthquake, my players did not report. My training was really affected. Right now I don't think they can win because of the earthquake and typhoon. Maybe next year we can bounce back. Hopefully.

Region VII's softball team do not expect to win gold this year.
But they know that what doesn't kill them makes them stronger.

JANE BRACHER, REPORTING: An earthquake and a typhoon might have temporarily hampered this team, but as the undertrained Region VII girls softball team competes, they are proving that nothing can hold them down for good. Jane Bracher, Rappler, Laguna.

– Rappler.com