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It’s our first show for 2008. Sports Unlimited wants you to have the best breakthrough year you’ve ever had, that means meeting challenges head on. Conquering your fears face to face, we’re going to that. If you put your mind into something, you can do anything. Sports Unlimited's motto for 2008 is to "never under estimate you." It’s a brand new year folks, and we’re on.
There's just something about rappelling that makes your heart rise. Maybe it's just the simple fact that people don't usually run down walls everyday. Yes, you see rappelling stunts done in the movies, but our guests are not stunt men and women.
1st Lt. Santander briefed all of us on the different kinds of rappelling we can try, some more challenging than the others, but to our guests they were pretty much all the same because it was going to be their first time to give rappelling a shot, so the question is... "why now?" We answer that question with another question, "why not now?” .and then we can follow it up with this question, "If not now, when?” For our guests, they are on Sports Unlimited and that means now could be the best time.
In the "Prusik" climb style of rappelling, one climbs to the top of the tower using a rope that has knots to aid the climber. This is similar to the way the barks of coconut trees are etched so climbers can get a better grip with their feet. If in the first style you can compare yourself to a coconut tree climber, in this second style of rappelling, you can imagine you are a lizard taking on its crawling like qualities, you really do look like some kind of human reptile rappelling down this way, and that's why this style is simply called the "Lizard." From the lizard style there is also "Run Down" rappelling where, from looking like a lizard, this style makes you look and feel like Spiderman, just as the superhero does, in this style, and you run down the wall facing the ground. This style of rappelling is very similar to absailing. In "Sit Hip" Rappelling, the difference lies in that the break is in front of you. Honestly though, when it comes to the breaks, it really doesn't enter your mind where it is. All you think about is that it better work or else, your face and the ground could become kissing cousins in a matter of seconds. Just kidding folks! Finally there's the Helicopter style of rappelling where the first thing you tend to do is look up at the heavens and pray hard before jumping head first to the ground. Who knew there were so many other ways to go up and down? Why take the stairs when you can have so much more fun doing all these rappelling techniques.
Being from Las Vegas, we could sense that DJ had that go for it, all or nothing quality about him. He decides to try the Helicopter style of rappelling. Marc gave DJ some much needed technique tips. After a bit of a battle with self-doubt that lasted about 5 minutes, DJ finally threw caution to the wind, he jumped, and made extra sure that everybody heard him as he went down.
Sandra proved to all of us that Ateneans like her don't back-off when faced with a challenge. She chose to try the Run Down style of rappelling. Sandra was honest by admitting that she was close to saying I can't do this. But what we told her, and what we are saying to all of you this New Year is when faced with a challenge that you've never encountered before, you just need to set your mind. Focus on the positive then do it. That’s exactly what Sandra did. Letting go initially was hard for her, but after she finally made up her mind to do it, the rest of the way down according to her was easy and even enjoyable.
Patricia was next to try rappelling for the very first time. Marc made sure she felt safe and secure. After seeing Dj and Sandra go before her, Patricia was determined, raring and ready to go do this. Nice and easy, that went rather smoothly for Patricia, she seems really proud of herself!
I decided that I wanted to try the Lizard Style of Rappelling. I like this style. Now I know why a "butiki", lizard in Tagalog, looks at ease when hanging out on the wall. Being in this position is surprisingly quite comfortable and relaxing. My partner Marc actually feels too relaxed when doing stuff like this which is why you never expect him to do anything by the book. Expect Marc to always try something out of ordinary, remember though that he always makes sure all safety requirements are in check before he tries anything.
This new year, there's another thing we are almost obligated to let you know, that there are rigors to this profession. If you're willing to have big time fun, you also must be able to take the consequences like a big boy, or in my case, a big girl, although right now, I may not be acting like one when I was being treated for my rope burn. Come on Dyan, toughen up and suck it up.
Talking from over a decade of doing all kinds of challenges, I can tell you that the Slide for Life is one of the toughest challenges to convince our guests to do, especially when the guests are urbanites. This slide is intimidating, no doubt about that, but trust me when I say that once you take that initial leap of fate, the rest of the ride is liberating and could get addicting.
Just as we predicted, DJ was very reluctant to let go and jump. It took him a lot longer to convince himself that this slide for life was worth doing, you especially feel that way when you look down before you slide and you see exactly how high up you are sliding from. After waiting patiently for DJ to convince himself that he could do this, he focused, believed in him enough and let go. Basing from DJ's reaction during the slide, he had that big smile on his face that says I'm so glad I had the courage to do this!
Women most especially are very fearful of trying this slide for life because they feel they are not strong enough to support themselves while sliding, but the fact is, you don't need to support yourself at all once you jump off the ramp. We told Sandra this and told her that all she needed to do was jump off and then just stay relaxed and let the momentum carry her weight evenly down the cable. After much hesitation, Sandra surrendered her fears, jumped off the ramp, and then let the slide do the rest. It was smooth sailing for Sandra all the way down, way to go girl!
For Patricia, this challenge was almost unbearable. In all the years Sports Unlimited has been on the air, we have never subscribed to subjecting our guests to emotional torture. We could tell by the way Patricia was grabbing on to the post, that this was no longer challenging and fun for her, that's when I decided to step in and told her I would go first so she can take more time.
When it was my turn to take that leap of the ramp, the weird part was, suddenly I was feeling fidgety. I started telling myself that I have done this many times, but I was still not feeling comfortable. I told myself to focus on the positive and that I can do this.
I finally jumped, and like I have been saying, it really is only scary in the beginning. After the jump, the rest that follows is one long joy ride.
Patricia has always struggled with her fear of heights, that is why this slide for life is scaring her a lot, but at the same time, she also is very sure that she wants to do this. Our whole group including our host rangers are rooting for her and encouraging her that she will do fine, with enough moral support and Patricia's will to conquer her fears. She finally jumps and she's done it. We were so proud and happy for her.
It is Marc’s turn, not an iota of convincing needed here. Go ahead partner; give the group a sample of your signature slide show. After experiencing the rush of the slide for life, Patricia now has all the confidence in the world to take on other obstacles.
For our last challenge, we had to take a short trek down hill that led us to a firing range where we were shown what an M-16 firearm looks like up close. We would all get to fire one after watching this very impressive demonstration of aim, confidence and trust. After being briefed on how to aim and fire an M-16, DJ gets the first shot at it, he has the courage to press the trigger, although he misses the target on his first three tries, then he gets the hang of it and hits the target three times in a row. Well done DJ!
Calling all friends of Sandra, if she tells you that she has fired an M-16, believe her.
This is Sandra's first time to ever hold a gun, and to be christened with an M-16 is a very tall order. The way she shot though, you would think she did this on a regular basis. First shot hits the target. Wow, impressive! Want to stop now while you're ahead Sandra? Guess not, she keeps shooting and she keeps hitting that target. I have to say, for a first timer, this girl is a natural when it comes to firing a gun.
Patricia gets her shot with the M-16. After this, even if Patricia tells you she has fired an M-16, we understand why you would not believe her. After she started shooting, we could hardly believe how good she was! She only missed the target one time; these girls know how to handle their guns!
Marc and I also got our turn to shoot. I obviously did not do as well as the other girls.
Marc always gets a great rush when shooting and we are not surprised that he does really well. My rush came more from being able to share this experience for the first time with our guests.
This is what we're saying folks, you can do anything for as long as you set your mind to it. This New Year, here's what else we're saying; true wealth is more than money. It’s about achieving life by making everyday special enough to remember. We hope that Sports Unlimited has made this day special enough for our guests to keep it in their memory banks for a long, long time.
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