Enchong's winning stroke

Go for gold.

That’s Enchong Dee’s guiding principle on land and, being a champion swimmer, especially in the water.

A Bench endorser and cast member of the ABS-CBN soap My Only Hope, Enchong added yet another feather to his already well-decorated cap when he was recognized as Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the men’s swimming division of the 71st Season of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) after he won seven gold medals for his alma mater, La Salle.

“Every stroke that he executes and every splash that he makes is aimed at nothing less than a gold,” enthuses KP, Enchong’s “MVP” (Most Valued PRO). “He sets his eye on his goals whatever it would take.”

A member of the Philippine National Swimming Team, Enchong is one of the country’s esteemed athletes, having represented the country in various prestigious competitions like the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, and the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

“He has won over 400 medals in swimming so far,” added KP, “and counting.”

The younger brother of AJ Dee (also with ABS-CBN; the Dees are from Naga City), Enchong has set for young people everywhere new standards in excellence and achievement by standing out in his various endeavors, most especially in his chosen sport. There are many stories of perseverance, dedication, struggles and success against the odds, but Enchong’s seven-gold-medal feat is a tough act to follow.

Says Enchong, “I enjoy competitions because of the teamwork, the camaraderie and the brotherhood. I love the passion for the sport that my teammates and I share. Of course, it’s a big plus that we get to have lots of fun at the same time.”

He does not only play the sport, he loves the sport with all his heart. Every time he is in the pool, he lets nothing else occupy his mind and body.

“Not even a pretty girl passing by could distract him,” swears KP. “He wants nothing more than to be a great swimmer.”

Nodding in agreement, Enchong volunteered, “I’m a goal-oriented person. The moment I said to myself that I would be the best butterfly swimmer in the Philippines, everything fell into place.”

With that goal in mind, Enchong follows an incredibly disciplined fitness regimen and training routine. He “abstains” from the guilty pleasures people his age usually indulge in.

“I am proud to say that I don’t have any vices,” says Enchong without sounding “saintly” at all. “I try to lead a healthy life. I have my priorities straight. At the end of the day, I want to be able to say that I’ve made a difference.”

An appeal from the UP alumni

My friends from Cebu are requesting Funfare to print the following letter of appeal to UP alumni (all over the country and other parts of the world) to help the “Save the Cebu UP High” campaign:

Dear Alumni.

UP High School in Cebu is in danger of being phased out.

The school performs a very important service to the community.

By only admitting poor but very bright students (sons and daughters of farmers, street vendors, maids, fishermen, drivers, janitors, etc.), the school provides them a chance to grow, learn and be educated “the UP way.”

The Cebu Provincial Board has already passed a resolution opposing the planned closure of UP Cebu High. The City Council will pass its own resolution soon.

Your alumni board is also preparing a resolution and a manifesto of support for the continued existence of our alma mater. We will be asking for your signatures soon enough.

Meanwhile, let us continue to be vigilant.

Officially, the approval of the Bachelor/Master in Education (BBE-MBE) program is critical for the high school’s existence. However, the underlying issue is still resources.

Currently, UP Cebu is finalizing its four-college university plan and consequently, the building infrastructure plan. We have to make sure that the high school continues to be part of these plans, as they go through each level of the UP bureaucracy: Execom, Dean, UP Cebu, Chancellor, UP in the Visayas, Advisory Council, President and, finally, Board of Regents.

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