Bar topnotcer tells student-athletes:‘Apply sporting values in daily life’

CEBU, Philippines —  "Apply the principles that you have learned as an athlete in everything that you do."

For champion athlete and bar topnotcher Atty. Jebb Lynus Q. Cane, this is a major component for the student-athletes of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) to succeed in whatever kind of path they want to take in life.

Cane, the pride of University of San Carlos (USC) who placed 9th during the 2018 Bar Examination and a decorated swimmer during his student days, was the honored guest and speaker during yesterday's elaborate opening ceremony of CESAFI Season 19 at the Cebu Coliseum.

The 36-year-old Cane, recalled all the hardships and challenges he encountered during the early stage of his career as a student-athlete.

"For most of my life, I rose up early in the morning when it's still too dark to get out of bed. And my body was still aching from yesterday's training. I was always tempted to get back to sleep. But I made a choice to rise and train again," he said.

"Each day I rose with a conflict between the easy way and the hard way. And I chose the latter. I chose to live a tough life,' added Cane, a consistent gold medallist in all major tournaments he joined such as the Palarong Pambansa and the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) from elementary to college.

  Cane admitted that it was uncomfortable and to ordinary people, beyond common sense.

"From the day that I chose which path to take, it just got tougher. And all of you made that choice:to be an athlete, a student, and to be extraordinary," said Cane, telling the CESAFI athletes. "

But out of the trials that smacked his way, Cane said there is a thing of beauty that radiates into his being.

"Being an athlete has mold me into what I am now today. For that, I am thankful! It has taught me discipline, and helped me understand the importance of preparation," said Cane.

"A game is won months and years before the competition. It is won when you work harder and persist more than your opponents during training. There may be days when you don't feel like doing it or feel like doing something else."

"But you have to push in order to win. So be sure that you have the right resolve because the easy path will always be a temptation. The temptation of living an easy life. You fight an opponent you can not see but you can feel. Your worries, your doubts, and your insecurities. Yourself."

Cane said these intangible forces are not easily defeated but one can defeat his weakness.

"Just don't lose heart. There will always be a battle between you and your mind telling you that this is just a game.  A waste of time. Just give up.Your opponents are stronger than you," he said. "But you will always and must push through. Drown out your worries with the sound of your hearbeat. Burn away your self doubt with the fire inside you."

Furthermore, Cane admonished all CESAFI student-athletes to apply all the values they learned as an athlete in their everyday living as it will helped them accomplish whatever they want to achieve in life one day down the road.

"I know that you all have trained hard for this. You are prepared. And it's all up to you now. To apply the principles that you have learned as an athlete in everything that you do," Cane ended.