Sometimes, the best things in life come in the most unexpected ways. Unplanned journeys often lead to the most exciting moments—best shared with the people closest to your heart.
Calix Ho was just a 15-year-old who knew virtually nothing about fencing. But when his mother, beauty queen and actress Carlene Aguilar, learned about a trial session at the Republic Fencing and Sports Club, everything changed for the young athlete.
Three years later, after switching weapons from sabre to epee, Ho achieved the biggest milestone of his young fencing career: a gold medal in the UAAP.
“It feels so surreal because I worked for this so hard, like I put my blood, sweat, and tears into this, and it finally paid off,” said the now 18-year-old upstart after winning the individual title last Friday.
“Nagawa ko siya despite ‘yung day na nagha-haunt sa ‘kin siya na what if I don’t perform, but gladly, Father God helped me achieve this gold medal.”
Understanding the significance of his men’s epee individual gold to the University of the Philippines, which finished second last season, Ho recalled how last year’s champion and national team standout, Miggy Bautista, offered words of encouragement during his first UAAP experience.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Yes, of course, I’ve been telling him, kasi me and kuya Miggy, we’re really close; he’s like my brother. So, he’s been pushing me when he’s playing with me. He also gave me tips; so, I guess it worked,” Ho said.
“Enjoy, trust God, and enjoy the journey. Have fun,” Ho shared, recounting what Bautista told him before his UAAP debut.
That same no-pressure, carefree mindset fueled Ho as he took the pistes in his very first UAAP event, eventually leading to a breakthrough gold against a more seasoned field. He admitted he didn’t expect to be crowned the new epee king after the competition.
“Before talaga, I would always get trashed, I would always get won over by the other fencers, but it fuelled me more to train more, train harder every day. Be there early, come out last. And it worked out, I guess,” the Home Economics freshman shared.
Yet, it was the support of those closest to him that made the victory even more special for the newbie Fighting Maroon.
In the stands at the Makati Coliseum were his father, actor and singer Dennis Trillo; his mother, Carlene; and his stepmother, actress and singer Jennylyn Mercado. Ho treasures their presence not just on that day, but throughout his entire fencing journey.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“It’s important kasi I would have these days na I would feel really down after losing, losing, and losing. But then, I would come back up, and they would tell me, ‘Fight, fight, fight! You got this. One day, you will achieve your goals.’ And now I did … with their full support,” the Victory Christian International School product expressed.
With a gold medal around his neck and interviews coming from all directions, Ho shared a special message for his mother, who introduced him to the sport without knowing how far it could take him.
“Mom, thank you for this. I know it was an accident, but I had succeeded. I thank you for it; I love you so much, and God bless,” he said.
Some accidents in life end up changing our paths—like taking up a sport. But with hard work, determination, and a solid support system, even an accidental athlete can become a champion.
After all, there is no accidental champion.
