By Mona Liza S. Sumaya
With her hands ready to bring home the bacon and legs set to break a record, she has nothing but undying passion to fight until her last playing year.
Far Eastern University (FEU) Track and Field Team is on a mission of booking their lineup at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) history and Team Captain Florida Gonzales is one sure help to hit a blow.
First sport
The standout lady trackster came from a sports-inclined family who were also student-athletes during college. Her parents and sister had influence her to be acquainted with her first love─swimming.
Gonzales admires her sister the most that as she shifted from swimming to running, the Lady Tam tagged to train on one side while her sister prepares for an oval training.
“Ginagaya ko si ate [kung ano ginagawa niya sa training] tapos simula noon, na-discover din ako ng coach niya (I do what my sister does during training and from there her coach eventually discovered me),” the Nueva Vizcaya pride said.
During her elementary up to high school years in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Gonzales was engaged in events of swimming and track and field. Gaining much experience, she pushed through her passion in running and conquered the green and gold field.
Coach Salvador Blanza spotted her skills during the 2003 National Open Track and Field Championships.
University of Santo Tomas (UST), De La Salle University and Adamson University also offered her to be a student athlete, but sporting benefits of FEU inspired her to join FEU’s roster with pride.
Gonzales kept her determination alive to push her future plans after studying at FEU.
“Pumunta ako dito [sa Manila] para panindigan ko na kaya ko mag-survive kasi ako ang pumili nito (I went here in Manila to prove that I can survive, and I can stand to my decision because it is my choice),” Gonzales said.
She finished Sports and Recreational Management and is now taking up units of Bachelor of Education major in Filipino to fill in her playing years.
Extraordinary runner
On her first year in FEU, she competed in the 3000m and 5000m walk events then eventually joined the lineup of middle long distance track event.
Gonzales was able to break the record of UST in 5000m walk, as she timed 27:47 minutes and reigned as UAAP defending champion.
During UAAP Season 71, she was able to clock 15:41 minutes and beat the hand time in 3000m walk event.
Sitting as the leader of the team, Gonzales’ fellow green and gold tracksters describe her leadership as not firm but effective.
“Hindi siya strikto as a team captain pero mataas ‘yung respeto namin sa kanya (She is not a strict captain but we respect her a lot),” freshman thrower Jennifer Penepona said.
Having her last playing year as a record breaker this season, Gonzales plans to fulfill her dream as a trackster and keep much focus on her career before going back to her hometown in Nueva Vizcaya.