By Alyanna Gabas and Yra Suarin
` A para-badminton champion and public high school teacher from Negros Oriental, Guihulngan City secured two gold medals at the 8th Philippine National Para Games marking his seventh consecutive title defense.
Despite his hectic schedule as an educator, Basil Anthony Esolana Hermogenes continues to excel in his sport, with sights set on international medals before retirement.
He started playing badminton during his high school years and discovered para-badminton in 2012 during the Philippine National Games for able-bodied athletes.
Para sports, a category of athletics designed for athletes with physical disabilities, opened new doors for Hermogenes.
Initially he did not know much about para sports but embraced the opportunity to compete formally for the first time, beginning intensive training in Quezon City for the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.
Attributing his success to his late mother’s support, he stated that, “She was the one who introduced to me the sport badminton, she convinced me to grab the opportunity to be part of the national team.”
To find balance in his teaching job and athletic career, Hermogenes would train every night after work.
Reflecting on his recent wins, he said, “I am still glad that I defended my title even though I had a little bit of hesitation at that time because of lack of time for training due to hectic sched[ule] for work. ”
During the competition, he admired the resilience of his fellow para-athletes.
“I saw a lot of para-athletes determined to win and wanted to be the pride of their own cities/provinces despite being differently abled,” he said.
However, his journey hasn’t been without struggles.
He once considered retiring when his coach was replaced– a change he found difficult to accept stating that he was about to retire from badminton. He could not easily accept the situation.
Despite the setback, Hermogenes drew strength from his late mother’s values and his roles as an athlete and educator, allowing him to refocus and reignite his passion for badminton.
To aspiring athletes, his advice is clear: “Never give up [on] your dreams. I know we have different struggles in life, but God gave us those struggles or challenges because He knows you can do it.”
“Use those challenges and struggles to be better and stronger for you to reach your goals. If I can do it, then you can do it also,” he added.
As he continues to represent Negros Oriental, his goal remains to earn international medals before retiring from the sport and further cement his legacy in badminton.
