Love for Volleyball

Who would have thought that the Geronimo volleyball genes would run through the veins of my 2 daughters - Natassja and Neenah.

I am proud to say that I have been playing volleyball since I was in Grade 5, consistently played in the school intramurals during high school and joined the varsity team during my senior year. In college, I trained for a while in the varsity team but our team was unfortunately disbanded. I was fortunate to have been trained by Volleyball Coach extraordinaire, Mr. Cuenca, a member of the national volleyball team and coach to a number of volleyball teams, including the Philippine team. I also joined a few inter-barangay leagues. I am an addict of this sport and always loved to play.

My other family members in the Geronimo clan also played this sport beautifully - our beloved Ate Minna+, and my cousins Ronnie and Rochelle. It was from a spike of my cousin Ronnie that hit me on the face which actually removed my fear of volleyball.

My eldest daughter, Natassja, joined the varsity I think 2 years ago. And Neenah joined last year in the elementary level. Both of them have excelled in this sport that is so close to my heart which is why I totally support them as they continue to better themselves and show their love for volleyball.

Lovin that they both do overhead service :-)

This year, both of them are playing in the varsity team of Holy Rosary Academy of Las Pinas City and it's  exciting for me, too, that they are playing in one team. Today is intrams day at HRA and they told me they would compete with each other as Freshmen and Seniors. I have not seen them in action yet, thus, I didn't want to miss this opportunity so I dropped by late afternoon to see how well my kids played.

Candid moments while waiting for service :-)

Neenah's freshies team didn't win both their games but I was so proud of how their team played. They even beat the Juniors in one set, a feat which has not been achieved by any freshman team in a while. They also gave a good game vs. the Seniors where Natassja was playing. I could really say Neenah earned her right to be named "female athlete of the year" last year when she graduated from elementary. :-)

Neenah in action

Natassja exceeded my expectations. As I knew she was a good player, she was very composed even if I knew she was pressured with their game vs. the juniors. She led her team and played as if she owned the court. And I also have to congratulate her teammates as well. Great job, Excedence. :-)

Tashi in action

I was indeed one proud mommy today, seeing my 2 daughters play the sport I truly love, and play it very well. I hope they continue their love for the sport and develop the values associated with it - dedication, teamwork, humility, and respect.

Welcome to my blog :)

This is the first time I am blogging as a mom, because I was really inspired with the symposium I have attended earlier on handling the social stigma of people who have intellectual disability. It made me realize that it's about time I become an advocate of disability, and at the same time, talk about how proud I am of my kids. <3

Let me tell you about my 3 kids.

Natassja Danielle N. Mariano
Tashi is my first tender care baby. Born on August 12, 1997 in Muntinlupa Medical Center, I had her when I was 20 years old. Great dancer, singer, speaker, volleyball player, and potential event coordinator haha. I really think she's my mini-me.

Neenah Yzabelle N. Mariano
Neenzy is my youngest daughter. Came into the world on December 3, 1999 at Perpetual Help Medical Center, 2 years after Tashi. Also a great dancer, singer, tennis player, and volleyball player. A lot of people say she looks like my mom. But Neenzy is our "lola" because she is more matured. But she's supposedly the more responsible one. :-)

Nukh Rafael N. Mariano
Nukh was born in November 19, 2003 at Las Pinas Doctors Medical Center. The only boy in our family - as we are two girls, and my 2 older children - so he is king of the house. He is diagnosed with Broad Spectrum Autism, but regardless, we love him very much. He's mucho handsome and English-speaking so better be ready for some nose-bleeding conversations when you go talk to him. :-)

If you notice, all of them have special name spellings. It was really what I wanted because I was kind of frustrated with having one short name. Since I named Natassja after Nastassja Kinski, I named all of them starting with the letter N, and because I started Tashi with a second name that ends is "elle", I followed suit with Neenah, and "el" for Nukh.

It's pretty difficult to raise three kids without a partner. But I have no regrets having them. They are blessings and I love them dearly. This blog will be dedicated to our life's adventures and misadventures, so I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing about them. :-)