Saint Theresa’s College-Cebu, previously an all-girls school, has recently opened its gates to both boys and girls in 2014. From then on, the male population in the school has been increasing with each year. The Pakiglambigit or Intramurals event, which was participated by girls only, now has a “Boys/Men’s Category” for the volleyball, soccer-baseball, and softball games.

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Although the college department still only has two teams for the men’s category instead of four, the male team players still prove to be competitive and passionate for their games. The performance they give in sports is known to be different because men are perceived to be physically stronger and more physically active than women. However, does this also apply to men who perceive themselves as someone different inside or is it not the same for them?

 

Out of all the thorns in the Business and Accountancy- Junior Educators Organization (BAT-JEO) Men’s team, one pretty rose named Lance Dante stands out. He is a third year Education student who is completely different from the way he may be physically seen. Dante is one of the most memorable players for the Pakiglambigit 2017 simply because of the way he naturally is.

 

Dante played two sports for the men’s category: volleyball and soccer-baseball. He, along with the rest of the winning team, also gave his best in every game. He proved that he, too, can play like a man- better yet, play like a woman as well.

 

Dante and his teammates trained hard together for months and played even harder as a team during the actual games, which resulted to all their wins and the title “champions” for the men’s category for three consecutive years now.

 

He says that “there’s no problem at all in dealing or communicating with my teammates. They're actually fun to be with and we all attended to each other’s concerns well enough regarding the sports.”

 

Among the men of the different teams during the games, Dante naturally shines out from the rest of them all because of his colorful and bouncy aura that truly radiates all over the field or court- especially during the times where the games are at the height of excitement.

 

Dante shares that “some of the best moments during intramurals were the games that we won, particularly the Volleyball and Soccer Baseball games. Also, it was exciting to be given the chance to compete with the Senior High Students (SHS) through exhibition games for both sports.”

 

He also adds that “the Soccer Baseball match against the SHS was the highlight of my Pakiglambigit experience since both College Men’s teams, BAT-JEO and PSYCH-SOC-TCO, merged to compete as one team on the field. It brought us all together and made us all see each other as teammates. Not enemies, not opponents. Teammates.”

 

The strength and activeness he holds clearly comes from the biological attributes he has as the man he is built to be. Still, his calm and joyful spirit that lifts up not only the team but also the audience surely comes from the way he differently sees himself. Whether he may be on the field or on the court, his colorful spirit is what simply makes him one of the most memorable players during the Pakiglambigit 2017.

 

Dante also shares that “it was the best intramurals for me. Overall, it was very memorable and most especially because I am a part of the winning team. Looking forward for the next intramurals with them!”

 

Dante has beautifully grown up into the person he is today due to the acceptance, support, and guidance of his loving family and friends. He proves that gender and gender identity itself should not hinder anyone from being able to play and just enjoy the games. STC, too, accepts people with different preferences as long as they are grounded, Christ-Centered, and have all the marks that a Theresian should have.

 

Dante points out that “playing sports is for everyone regardless of gender and race! Learn to come out of your shell and show people what you’ve got.  I recommend non-players to participate next year during the Pakiglambigit. I assure you all, it would be a very fun and memorable experience.”