Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Jin Janine Arrogancia notched bronze in the 16th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Taekwondo Championships held at the Ayala Malls, Manila Bay in Parañaque City last March 10 to 12. 

The Lady Tamaraw gave her full-force kick to the international competition as her first time representing the country in her three-year stay in FEU.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, Arrogancia cited the different experience and pressure she had upon bannering the Philippine flag.

“First time ko din i-represent yung PH so may pressure talaga. Kahit na sanay na ‘ko lumaban dala ‘yung FEU, pero iba pa din since hindi nalang FEU ‘yung dala ko kundi PH team (It's my first time to represent PH, so there's really pressure. Even though I'm used to fighting with FEU, it's still different since I'm not carrying FEU but the PH team),” she said.

Arrogancia also shared the excitement and the pressure of being part of the national team. 

“I’m very happy and fulfilling siya, kasi maiksi lang yung preparation pero nagbigay pa din ako ng maganda at maayos na fight (I'm very happy and fulfilling him, because the preparation was short but I still gave a good and good fight),” Arrogancia stated. 

With her win, the bronze medalist credited her coaches from the national team for the guidance on her performance before and during the match in a Facebook post. 

The Morayta-based Lady Jin also mentioned that her experience as a first-timer in the international competitions will help her in preparation for the upcoming University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 taekwondo tourney.

“For me, gagawin [kong] lesson yung na gain kong experience sa first international competition [ko] para mas maitama pa yung mga error[s] ko sa game. So, pagdating [ng] UAAP Season 86 preparation, alam ko na yung mga gagawin ko sa laban (For me, I will use the experience I gained in my first international competition as a lesson to correct my errors in the game. So, for the UAAP Season 86 preparation, I already know what I will do in the match),” she added. 

FEU Lady Jins only managed to bring home one bronze medal in UAAP Season 85 taekwondo tourney which was held last December 2022. 

-Paula Jasmine P. Bronoza

(Photo courtesy of Janine Arrogancia)