Susmita Ramos once sat inside the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall, watching University of the Philippines secure the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Badminton title.
The badminton wunderkind has been with the squad since she was 14, training alongside Jessie Francisco, Poca Alcala, Ann Marañon, and Lea Inlayo, among others.
She has witnessed it all, enduring the ups and downs as she trained at various venues – including the Marikina Sports Hub and Centro Atletico – and playing at the Rizal Memorial.
Ramos recalled the moment when she watched Alcala power through for UP during that Season 79 run.
“Yung feeling na supporter ka nila at first kasi nga since bata ako part na ko ng team, naisip ko na darating ‘yung time ko na ako naman ‘yung maglalaro diyan,” she shared.
She went on, “Siyempre, makikita mo kasi sa kanila na ‘pag naglaro, buwis-buhay din ‘eh. Patay kung patay, laban kung laban. Kaya gusto ko na kapag it’s my time naman, ‘yun din ‘yung mapakita ko.”
Now 24 years old, Ramos is grateful to the people who brought her to the squad – its program boosters, Conrado Co and Pacita Co – for the confidence and care they have provided her over the past decade.
“Para sa ‘kin po, walang question ‘yung pag-support sa‘kin nila tito Conrado at nila tita Pacita kasi ramdam na ramdam ko po na ang laki ng tulong na bibinigay nila sa‘kin,” said the 32nd Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist.
“And at the same time, kahit nung pumasok po ako sa national team, nagcha-chat pa rin sa‘kin si tita, kinu-kumusta ko. ‘Ano na ba kalagayan mo? Kumusta ka na dyan?’ Kahit saan man ako pumunta, alam kong suportado nila ko.”
A few years later, Ramos now sits in the bleachers – not just as a spectator, but as a UAAP champion herself.
After two years of heartbreak, she can finally say that she has given something back to the team she considers home, the squad she calls her family.
“Una, sobrang saya, masarap sa feeling. Matagal na naming hinihintay ‘to eh; ilang taon na rin since nung last na championship, di ba? Tapos ilang taon din na pandemic. At the same time, silver nung nakaraang dalawang taon. Ngayon, masarap sa feeling kasi binabalik lang namin ‘yung tulong nila sa‘min, ‘yung suporta,” said the emotional third-year Fighting Maroons stalwart.
“Masaya rin ako para kila tito (Conrado) kasi kahit gano’n na ‘yung edad nila, hindi pa rin sila umaalis at tuloy pa rin ‘yung suporta. Makita mo talaga kasi na bibinibigyan niya talaga ng oras ‘yung UP Badminton.”
Ramos dedicated the championship to the person who believed in her the most within her newfound family – the late Pacita Co.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Yung legacy na iniwan ni tita, yung lumaban lang talaga. Hanggang dulo laban lang, and at the same time, ‘yung sinasabi nila tito na tiwala lang sa sarili mo. And ‘yung rin ang laging sinasabi sa‘kin ng mga coaches,” she shared.
With one more year left in her time with UP, Ramos feels determined to honor the legacy of those who have supported her for one last season.
“It’s a dream come true kasi nung una nangangarap ka lang, ngayon isa ka na. Ang sarap sa feeling na lumaban ako hindi lang para sa team, kundi para na rin sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.
“It’s another challenge for us. At paghahandaan namin ‘to. Siguro may labas uli kami, training abroad. O kaya more exposure sa mga tournaments. Kasi nakita natin sa labanan ngayon, ‘yung puso ng isang taga-UP. For sure, next year, gano’n pa rin ‘yung puso ng mga atleta namin,” Ramos concluded.
