Old pals and partners Mark Sangiao and Eduard “Landslide” Folayang couldn’t help but look back on how far they have come since starting Team Lakay in 2006.
After 13 years of hard work – which included plenty of heartbreak and frustrations – here they are, building a full-blown, modern gym in Pico, La Trinidad, just a few minutes’ drive outside of Baguio.
“It’s a difficult process. We started twenty years ago. We started in limited facilities, but because of passion and teamwork we’re here and we have a better gym,” Sangiao said.
“We will not stop here. If there are things that can be improved, we’ll improve. This facility, it’s not just for local or national events. This is for international, so we need to keep in step with the facilities.”
Compared to the small and cramped up gym they had in the past, the new facility is a lot more spacious and houses a full-size replica of the ONE Championship Circle.
“We need to feel the environment when we go out to compete. In the past, it was limited. We just had a fourth of the cage, but now our athletes have the whole cage,” Sangiao proudly shared.
“It’s one of the things that we improved here. It’s a big help for the athletes. Their training and the equipment isn’t limited, so I guess we won’t be lagging behind.”
Like Sangiao, Folayang – his good friend and prized pupil – is also elated to see the fruits of their labor come to life.
A pioneer in every sense of the way, Folayang knows how difficult it was back then, as he remembers the days when they were struggling and grasping for support.
“I think this is very meaningful because you see the results of our struggles in the past,” Folayang explained.
“It’s a reminder that we’re doing things correctly, because if not, then we wouldn’t be here. These are the fruits of our sacrifices. This is where our effort goes.”
But make no mistake about it, this is just the first of many developments for Team Lakay, and “Landslide” is excited to see where they will wind up in the future.
“We’re still looking forward to better facilities in the future, but we’re very happy that we’re here now. Maybe someday we’ll be bigger, and we’re going to give it to our future athletes.”
Catch ONE Championship’s next event, ONE: Immortal Triumph, on September 6 in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. It will be the organization’s first-ever all-Super Series event. To watch the action live, download the ONE Super App.
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