Quezon City SEP Program produces national fencers

MANILA, Philippines — Fencers from the SEP: Sports Enhancement Program in Quezon City have been representing the Philippines well, helping the country achieve honors in major international competitions like the ongoing Southeast Asian Games.

Teenage sensation Samantha Kyle Catantan, one of 10 national mainstays from QC SEP fencers, delivered a bronze medal in the women’s individual foil last Tuesday as Team Philippines set in motion its fencing campaign at the World Trade Center.

Fellow SEP fencer Nataniel Perez aims to stike gold in men’s individual foil, the same event where he bagged a silver in the previous SEAG in Malaysia behind compatriot Brennan Louie.

The 17-year-old Catantan, the reigning Asian U23 champion, and Perez, bronze medalist in the 2018 Asian U23 tilt, are just two of the youngsters from Quezon City who not only developed their fencing skills but also gained opportunities for a good education through the SEP program initiated by former councilor Joseph Juico in 2006 and continued by his sister, incumbent Councilor Mayen Juico.

Coach Amat Canlas, one of the main consultants and coaches when SEP was formulated, recalled that the fencing program initially couldn’t get as many children compared to other sports offered by SEP, boxing, basketball, volleyball, and streetdancing. But Juico wasn’t dissuaded and after seeing how the 10 to 15 children improved after a two-month summer program, asked Canlas to come up with a long-term plan.

“From 2006, napakalayo na ng narating ng fencing, ang dami na namin napaaral, napa graduate ng college, nakarating ng UAAP at ngayon naka produce ng 10 na national team, marami nang dumaan na national team. Naka produce na din ng ni-recruit  Penn State University sa US.” 

He was referring to Catantan, who entered the program at age nine.

“Kung wala po ang QC SEP fencing team, baka kung saan-saan na lang din po ako nakapag-aral,” said Catantan who is set to leave for the United States next year for a full scholarship at Penn State University. 

Perez said because of fencing, he became a scholar at University of the East and used his allowance to help pay off the family’s bills, and later made it to the national team, which enabled him to be the breadwinner.

“Nakikita ko po yung layo na rin ng narating ko sa buhay. Kung di ako nag fencing baka simpleng estudyante lang ako, simpleng employee. Gumigising para magtrabaho, natutulog para magtrabaho ulit,” said Perez. 

“Nagsimula sa ayaw... ayaw ng bata kasi masakit sa legs, nagsimula sa ayaw ko kasi walang gusto mag-fencing nung inumpisahan ang program, but this is the perfect example of the heart of the Philippine athlete. These are stories that we need to hear because these kids are heroes in their own right,” said Joseph Juico in the send-off dinner for the QC SEP fencing team they hosted with the QC athletics association/Sports Development Office. 

“Some of our athletes trained abroad, were privileged enough to get the best help, the best program... and yet, here you are, fueled by the love for family, love for the sport, and love for the country. That makes all of you our champions, winning those medals will be a bonus but the discipline, the grit, the drive is what makes all of you winners,” added Councilor Mayen Juico.