Masayang ibinalita ng “alamat” at national athlete na si James De Los Santos na sa wakas ay graduate na siya sa kolehiyo.
Nagtapos si James ng Bachelor of Science (BSC) Major in Advertising Management sa De La Salle University (DLSU) noong September 25, 2022.
Ipinost ito ni James, isang karate athlete, sa kanyang Facebook page noong October 1, 2022.
Sa DLSU rin sinimulang tawaging “alamat” si James, 32.
Pero ito ay hindi lang dahil sa mga feats niya bilang Filipino Karateka, world's top E-Karate player, and international Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) champion, kundi dahil labing-apat (14) na taon ang inabot bago siya nag-graduate sa college.
Read: PBA superstar CJ Perez graduates from college "after 13 years and 4 universities"
Bunsod ng pandemya, sinimulan ni James ang pagko-compete via virtual o eKata noong 2020.
Noong nakaraang taon, nasungkit ni James ang kanyang ika-37th gold medal sa The Athlete’s E-Tournament #6 kaya siya naging rank 1 sa world ekata.
Taong 2008, nang magsimula si James sa pagiging pagiging karateka athlete, the same year nang simulan ang pag-aaral sa DLSU.
14 YEARS SA DLSU
Aniya, hindi siya siya magugulat kung marami ang nagtataka kung bakit ang tagal niya sa university.
Nagbiro pa si James na naging “magna” at “summa” na nga siya sa tagal niya sa DLSU.
Aniya, “How long? It was to a point when I eventually qualified for Magna…. Magna-nine years ako that time, take note.
“Another year passed. I then hit the rank of Summa… kasi Summa-sampung taon bilang isang estudyante.
“It didn’t stop there. I stayed much longer and earned the title: Alamat ng De La Salle University - Manila.”
Hindi rin maiwasang ma-“awkward” ni James na may college professors at office staff na “kuya” na ang tawag sa kanya.
“With this, I had to put up with some professors and office staff calling me ‘kuya,’ and vice versa (those semi-awkward moments where I address them back as ‘ma’am’ or ‘sir’). Get the logic?”
DEMANDS NG PAGIGING NATIONAL ATHLETE
Pakli ni James, simple lang naman ang rason—mahirap pagsabayin ang pag-aaral at pagiging national athlete.
Sabi niya, “I’ve been asked by many repeatedly why it took this long. The main reason was because of my duties as a national athlete.
“I was drafted to the national team while entering university as a freshman back in 2008 at the same time.
“During that period, I took many leaves of absence; thrice for the SEA Games and twice for the Asian Games, since the training demands were high.
“Despite the ups and downs, I have no regrets.”
Lubos naman ang pasasalamat niya na suportado siya ng DLSU sa loob ng maraming taong iyon.
“I’m very grateful that my university was very supportive of my decision in regards to my athletic career. I was still able to cross the finish line.”
Ngayon, panibagong pakikisabak sa buhay ang susuungin ng former national athlete.
Sabi niya, “Now it’s time to flip the last page of this chapter and open a new one.
“Thank you to my alma mater for the memories and for putting up with me.
“After 14 long years, the Alamat is finally, and officially, signing off.
“Animo La Salle.”