Sheila Mae Perez: Going for Gold against all odds

She has a charming smile plastered on her face with her beguiling dimples and an aura that instantly lightens up the mood of the people around her. This 22-year old lass from Davao knows how to have fun, but beyond her very pleasant disposition is a strong girl who has won many victories outside of her sport.

Sheila Mae Perez, the country’s bet in springboard diving to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, lives by the motto that ‘Wanting something is nothing, but doing something is gaining’. She has consistently shown the resilience and determination of a true champion since she started training for diving at nine years old.

The ‘Dabawenya’ charmer, who has also been called the new darling of Philippine sports, learned how to swim when she was five years old. When she was nine years old, her skills and potential were easily spotted by one of the coaches and she was recruited to train for the Philippine National Games in 1996. Today at 22, she has already somersaulted her way to Philippine diving history when she became the first Filipina to finish with a triple-gold streak at the 2005 Manila Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

But Sheila’s life story isn’t all about winning. Early on, she had her own share of struggles. When she was starting out, she and her other friends used a makeshift diving board. “Kahoy lang yung diving board namin noon.” (We used to use a wooden plank as our diving board.) Sheila’s parents were separated since she was a baby and she grew up with her mom caring for her. “Nung bata ako, gusto ko mag-aral sa Manila at makita yung dad ko.” (When I was younger, I wanted to study in Manila and see my father). With a number of unanswered questions on her mind such as why her father left her, at 20, Sheila was determined to look for her father and her triumph as a diver helped make that meeting possible.

With all the recognition she has won, not only for herself, but for the country, Sheila knew that seeing her father again would be yet another blessing. In 2006, with the help of a local show that featured her life story, Sheila was reunited with her estranged father whom she last saw when she was eight years old.

Despite all the odds, Sheila has braved the deep waters. “I believe that it’s God’s will that diving became my sport,” she quipped. Other than this, Sheila has learned a lot from her sport. “Dahil sa training ko, natuto akong maging independent, disciplined at pag lumalaban ako, iniisip ko na kaya kong talunin yung kalaban.” (Because of my training, I learned to become independent and disciplined and when I compete, I psych myself that I could win against my opponent.) She adds, “Natutunan kong tiisin yung lungkot dahil alam kong importante yung training.” (I learned to deal with the loneliness because I knew that my training is important.)

The champion diver holds her family in a pedestal, with her mom, stepfather and siblings as her primary source of inspiration. Sheila shared, “Kung di sa family mo, hindi ka naman magpupursige.” (If it weren’t for your family, you won’t exert effort to do your best.) Sheila’s pleasant character shows how much her mother’s words have influenced her. “Sabi ng mom ko, kahit sikat ka na, dapat hindi ka maging mayabang, dapat may humility parin.” (Just as my mom told me, even if you’ve already made a name for yourself, you shouldn’t be boastful; the humility should always be there.)

Aside from her family, Sheila asserts that the support or even prayers of the Filipino people will boost the athletes’ confidence. “Lahat ng ginagawa ko at lahat ng achievements ko ay para sa family ko, kay God, sa buong Pilipinas at sa mga taong walang sawang sumusuporta.” (All that I do and all of my achievements are for my family, for God, for the Philippines and for the people who are always there to support.)

This exact same support for the athletes is one of the main drivers of the Olympinoy campaign. Microsoft has partnered with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for Olympinoy, which aims to empower our athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. “Sheila has brought pride to our country not only by showing her talent and skill in diving, but also by displaying the confidence and fighting spirit of Filipino athletes. Efforts such as hers should be recognized,” stated Rafael Rollan, Managing Director, Microsoft Philippines.

Sheila welcomes the added support for the athletes that will stem from the campaign. “Hindi naman ganon kasikat ang mga athletes pero dahil sa campaign na ‘to, makikilala din ang mga Pilipinong atleta.” (Athletes are not that famous here in the Philippines but because of this campaign, Filipino athletes will become better known by the people.)

After the Olympics, Sheila wants to share her talent as a diving coach. “Ayaw kong mawalan ng divers and Pilipinas.” (I don’t want the Philippines to run out of divers.) “Kung walang libangan o hindi pumapasok yung mga bata dahil sa sobrang hirap ng buhay, mag sports nalang sila dahil di lang physical yung nadedevelop pati yung character,” (If the children don’t have other past times or if they don’t go to school because they can’t afford it then they should just get into sports since they can also develop their physical strength as well as character) she adds.

“Dream ko siyempre na maka gold sa Olympics o kaya basta may Filipino na makakuha ng gold.” (Of course, my dream is to win an Olympic gold medal or as long as someone from the Philippine team would win a gold.) The Filipina diver’s dream may come true in this year’s Olympics. With her strength of character and optimism, Sheila will surely go a long way, striking gold against all odds.