DLSU Sports Feature Athlete: Zyka Santiago

In what seemed to just be a week-long class suspension, the COVID-19 crisis has turned into an ongoing health issue affecting the world for almost two years.

The spread of COVID-19 has significantly impacted the world of sports. Ever since the UAAP has been indefinitely postponed as a consequence, student-athletes have been on their own in helping themselves adapt to the new normal while attempting to maintain the preparation for the next season.

We sat down with Lasallian UAAP gold medalist and Philippine National Poomsae Team mainstay Zyka Santiago to discuss her athletic life during this time of the pandemic.

THRIVING AMIDST UNCERTAINTIES

With the lockdowns that have been enforced in different parts of the country, majority of the student-athletes are held in an unknown environment to execute their training regimens. Athletes who utilize fields, courts, and pools have shifted their focus on strengthening training such as endurance and speed. Furthermore, not only do they need to be creative in formulating their training programs, they also need to care for their other needs.

Santiago mentioned that although she is doing quite okay this pandemic, the global crisis has not only had a significant effect on their physical conditions but also greatly affected the mental and emotional states of her and her co-athletes. The sudden halt in the strenuous training was not what the body had expected and therefore took a toll on their bodies as they adjust themselves to the new situation. “There were times talaga na you don’t feel yourself; you don’t feel like doing your workouts, but there were times naman na okay lang, gusto mo matapos yung workout, mas may gana.”

She also pointed out that the fluctuating cases and the uncertainty of when in-person competitions will be possible have kept the athletes hanging, and has put a constant worry especially to those who only have a few terms left but still have multiple playing years.

STAYING IN SHAPE

The uncertainty of the resumption of classes has forced the student-athletes to return to their hometowns, and in Zyka’s case, in Cagayan. Athletes confined in their respective homes have to be strictly disciplined.

Although she admitted the difficulty of at-home training especially when the sudden implementation of lockdown occurs, Santiago was satisfied with her training since her former coach who happens to be a national team member had a gym and was there to guide her on her training.

Having the liberty of time to direct one’s training regime might seem advantageous, but in Zyka’s case, it is the opposite. Before the pandemic, it was relatively easier to navigate the free time considering the fixed schedules of classes and training. However, when the pandemic began, the abundance of free time was all thrown in her hands, giving her more pressure especially in preparing for competitions. She shared, ‘for example pag may competition, magte-training tapos syempre may mga rest days din pero di matanggal sa isip mo na ‘uy may laro pala ako dapat nagttraining di ako nagchichill’. Nakakapressure talaga. Unlike pag face to face kasi fixed yung time eh, naka-set yung mind mo na ganitong oras magttraining ako, ganitong oras magpapahinga ako para ready ako.’

NEW NORMAL COMPETITIONS

While the current circumstances have been very far from ideal, there have been several attempts by different organizations to resume action. Luckily for Santiago, Poomsae was cleared to hold virtual competitions since it is possible to compete without any physical interactions. In their case, they showcase their skills through video conferencing in which they pre-record and submit their respective routines for the judges to evaluate.

“Nung na-announce, na-excite talaga ako kasi something new ganun tapos yung pinaka-first online ko is okay pa naman ako nun, nag-enjoy ako kasi ayun nga, for example nagkamali ka, may chance para ma-shoot mo ulit yung performance mo…”

While the black-belter initially expressed her excitement towards the resumption of competitions, although limited, she had an opposite opinion as her head coach Brian Sabido as she was preparing for the tournament. “Nun tumagal mas gusto ko na yung face-to-face na tournaments kasi nakakapagod talaga kasi mindset mo ‘uulitin ko nanaman’ hanggang sa habang tumatagal, pag sobrang dami mo na nashu-shoot mafi-feel mo na yung pagod ng body mo tas parang may kulang sa performance mo na gusto mo sa pinakaunang video.”

According to Santiago, she repeats her routine around seven times on average, sometimes even more. She believes her teammates and other competitors also do so. And although she had countless opportunities to re-shoot her entry, the opposing athletes also have the same privilege. Considering she is a perfectionist herself, the little details do not go unnoticed. “Mabobother ka eh yung ipapasa mo tapos iisipin mo na, hala parang gusto ko pa isa. Mahirap din kasi knowing na perfect yung routine ng lahat, kaya mas okay rin for me na actual talaga one time big time ganun for everyone.”

The fourth year Sports Management major considered the Freestyle to be the most challenging category since it involves more complex techniques, and repeatedly executing it took a toll on her body. “After ko talaga nag-shoot nun ang dami kong pasâ. One minute yung video kaya siguro mas gusto ko na actual kasi yung freestyle pag paulit ulit mo ginagawa one minute kasi yun eh, paulit ulit mo ginagawa, di mo maiiwasan ma-drain at madedrain ka talaga.

Moreover, she noted that even though different athletes have varying preferences, she considers adrenaline, the presence of her team mates, and the crowd holding a big difference in her motivation to perform better.

“Depende talaga sa style ng athlete. Ako kasi mas prefer ko rin noon before pandemic kasi parang may crowd, may team mate ka nakakasama mo sila sa training, sa venue chinicheer ka. Mahirap kasi yung team ngayon kasi parang mahirap talaga i-motivate sarili lalo na kung mag-isa ka lang nagttraining at lumalaban.

Kasi pag online mahirap talaga yung isang beses tapos maapanood mo parang may kulang ganun gusto mo uulitin mo na naman tapos mamaya may makikita ka na uulitin mo na naman hanggang sa na-drain ka na wala ka nang choice kundi ipapasa mo nalang din kung ano meron.”

Now that she has some experience up her sleeves, the Tuguegarao native always makes sure to prepare herself not only physically but also mentally on how she would be tackling the task at hand. To avoid rushed, incomplete, or unsatisfactory routines, she now draws up her routines and music choices early on to remain fresh and to avoid exhaustion. “Kailangan early ka mag-take ng video para if ever pag di mo nagustuhan pwede pa sa mga kinabukasan,” Furthermore, she also noted the huge difference in shooting with a well-rested body. “Iba kasi yung feeling sa paulit ulit ka na sa isang araw parang yung katawan mo wala nang gana, marami nang masakit ganun. Kaya dapat naka plano talaga at may mga allowance.”

LOOKING FORWARD

Following a silver medal in the 2021 Smart MVP Sports Foundation Online, Santiago continues to look forward as she prepares for several more competitions representing the country in various international competitions in the coming months.