Pressure and pain are two things an athlete must overcome come competition time; even a three-time MVP is not spared from such stressors.
The best thing to do is rise above them all and ultimately reign at the end of the season.
Queenie Dalmacio is no stranger to pressure and pain, having used both as motivation to reclaim the championship her University of the East squad had ceded the previous season.
Moreover, it was the national team standout’s final campaign in red and white.
The Lady Warriors had to claw their way back on the final day of the UAAP Season 88 fencing championships, needing to win both the epee and sabre team events as they trailed the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons by two gold medals.
The championship was not entirely in their hands, as a finals appearance by UP in either event would have forced UE to yield the throne for another season.
However, as fate would have it, UE was given the opportunity to seize the title—and they did not let it slip, ultimately capturing their 16th women’s crown overall.
“Masaya na malungkot. Masaya kasi naibalik namin ‘yung championship; malungkot kasi last ko na. Sana ‘yung sa mga susunod na seasons ‘yung mga teammates ko rin — sana huwag nilang bitawan ‘tong championship na ‘to,” Dalmacio, the eventual four-time MVP, shared.
(C) UAAP Season 88
Sacrifices had to be made, as some of them—including Dalmacio—needed to compete in all three weapons: foil, epee, and sabre, for the team events. It was no small ask, even for a determined squad.
The graduating senior shared, “Para sa ‘min po mahirap kasi kailangan triple weapon ‘yung team, pero ako, ang nasa utak ko is para sa ‘min ‘to. I mean, alam kong deserving din naman ‘yung mga teams, pero sabi nga, ‘di ba, ‘yung pinaka-best ‘yung makakakuha. So, sabi ko, before ako mag-end, gusto kong maging maganda ‘yung end ko, na ayoko ‘tong bitawan, sa ‘min ‘to.”
In the sabre team final, however, Dalmacio encountered doubt once more when Kim Tuy slowly mounted a comeback in the final bout. The finish line—and the golden trophy—was in sight, but it was that same burning desire that both challenged and steadied the seasoned athlete.
“Na-blanko po ako. Sa sobrang gustong-gusto ko pong manalo, nanggigil ako. Hindi ko na po alam ‘yung nangyari hanggang sa medyo na-pressure ako. Na parang nasa ‘kin na eh, depende na lang sa ’kin kung ibibigay ko or what. Pero naglalakad po ako pabalik, sabi ko, ‘Lord, sa ‘min ‘to.’ And nag-back to zero po ako; hindi ko po iisipin ‘yung score, so 0–0 lang, and then, push, push, push,” she recalled.
That mental reset eventually loosened her up, allowing her to find the target for the championship-winning touche.
With the mission finally accomplished, Dalmacio had nothing but gratitude as she rose above adversity.
“Sobrang saya po; hindi ko po ma-explain. Until now, hindi ko pa rin po, like, hindi pa rin po nagsi-sink in sa ‘kin na tapos na, nakuha mo na. Sobrang happy ko po. Nagte-thank you po ako kay God na sobrang laking blessing nito, lalo na’t last ko at sa team na naibalik ‘yung championship,” she expressed.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
More than her status as a national athlete, Dalmacio believes her preparation for this moment fueled her determination to perform well and contribute to the team. After all, she firmly believes that those who train hard will reap the rewards.
“May factor din po, pero for me po ‘yung training po talaga eh. Kasi kahit may masakit sa ‘kin, may injury ako, hindi pa rin po ako nag-a-absent eh. ‘Yun po talaga for me. Depende po talaga sa kung sino ‘yung deserving, sino ‘yung nagte-training, sino ‘yung nagpupursige, para sa kanya ‘yon,” she said.
Now that Dalmacio has concluded her UAAP career, she hopes the family she leaves behind will continue the legacy—and dynasty—of UE Fencing.
“Sana po, mag-train sila pa rin. Huwag silang susuko; huwag rin nila hahayaang mawala ‘yung championship uli. Sa girls po, sobrang laking panghihinayang, pero alam ko pong mababalik nila ‘yon. Huwag susuko hangga’t hindi nila nakukuha ‘yung championship,” she shared.
Dalmacio may now shed her Lady Warrior identity in the collegiate ranks, but her name will forever be etched in the university’s lore.
For now, she will carry the Three Stars and the Sun with pride—and continue queening.
