Sablan, Benguet – Rosemarie Recto lately discovered she can excel in a sports discipline and has a chance to bring glory, not only to herself, but also to the province and the region when she got selected to participate in the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) Muaythai World Championships from August 1-11, 2017 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Thing is, her parents’ modest income from farming cannot finance her trip so she, with the help of her coaches headed by Bryan S. Olod, of Team Kafagway MMA and also her teacher in Sablan National High School, are seeking generous supporters for some help.

Recto, 17 years old, got a chance to be introduced to the sport when Olod was hired by the Sablan National High School as a senior high teacher. Olod started conducting seminars and workshops about Muaythai in the institution and Recto happened to be one of the interested participants.
This opportunity was all this Ibaloi lass needed as the bond between the athlete and the sport rapidly developed, quickly sprung into action, and bore fruits immediately.
Since first tasting what Muaythai is all about just last October, 2016, less than a year ago, Recto pocketed three golds in separate country-wide competitions.
She was the 54kg gold medalist during the 2016 Muaythai National Open held at Teachers Camp, Baguio City; got another during the 2017 Muayhai National Open 1st Leg held at Igorot Garden, Baguio City; then a third one, this time in the 51kg category, during the 2nd Leg of the 2017 Muaythai National Open held in Paranaque, Metro Manila last summer.
This string of success caught the eye of Olod, who expressed confidence in Recto’s chances of bringing home a medal from Thailand. “She (Recto) has a great chance of bagging a medal in the World Championships”, he said.

Recto is a grade 12 student of the Sablan National High School. She has to walk around two hours from her residence at Taya, Pappa, Sablan to reach the campus and another two back home to complete her high school education.
She is the co-first child of four siblings by virtue of having a twin sister, Rosalinda. She also does wushu, although only in the school level.
She expects to continue college education upon graduation and is interested to enter the Philippine National Police Academy or take up criminology in one of the local universities. She wishes to join the police force someday.
“Balak kong pumasok sa PNPA o pwede na rin yung criminology”, she said.
As of current, all she wants is to be given a chance to fly to Thailand as she promises her would be donors who would make her trip possible of doing her part in making them proud.
Recto, with schoolmate and national athlete Liane Benito, are now on rigid training at the ULTRA complex in Pasig for the World Championships in their first ever trip outside of the country. She is expected to participate in the combat 51kg aerobics competitions.
Interested contributors can course their donations to her teacher-coach Bryan Olod who can be contacted through mobile phone number 09193109369 or at his facebook page.
By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS