Archery: It's a Mind Game

Copyright: Seven Bueno

By: Seven Bueno

There is something more than just the typical sports you play on the streets, or on the fields and country clubs...

Archery.

The sport is well known as a hunting game or sometimes a show like Robin Hood. I myself am an archer, and I fell in love with the beauty and discipline of the sport.

Unlike basketball and football, archery is a non-contact sport. Other than that, it also doesn't require much movement. It is purely the concentration of your energy and power on your mind, your arms, your eyes, and your back.

It is purely discipline. Practice day and night, not only through physical activities, but also through mental toughness. Competitions aren't really just for stamina. Archery shoot-offs are also intense and the archers themselves are put under much pressure.

Copyright: Geoffrey Divino

Why enhance mental toughness? If you are pressured in a competition, your heartbeat pounds faster. When you have a faster pulse, your arms shake while aiming and eyesight becomes blurry. Therefore, mental toughness is a big thing in archery.

My experience in archery was quite fun. I started off as a member of the Manila Archery Center, then represented the Philippines in the Philippine Thailand Archery Friendly Cup and brought home silver in my division, then currently a representative of the city of Makati in the Regional Meet of the the Philippines (aka Palarong Pangrehiyon ng NCR).

Do I aim to be part of the Olympics someday? Why not!?! Although I am far away from the Olympics, and Southeast Asian games, I do believe that with a lot of training, someday it can be possible.

Anyways, it's really just in the brain.

Copyright: Seven Bueno

I've gone through several coaches of different nationalities. All they tell me? "It's just in the head!" or "Nasa isip mo lang yan!" or "ilgo!" and even "tête dans le jeu". Whatever language it is, or whatever challenge you face, push through it and think positive. That's one of the life lessons I've learned in archery.

Archery? It's truly a mind game.

Loving Life

My Lifestyle

During my young years, video gaming is not the only thing that gives excitement to my life, but travelling , eating food, sports and friendship are the things that give meaning and purpose in my life. My Adventure starts with my family, I travel with them ever since i was a kid and enjoy these moments and I wish I can turn back time.

TRAVELLING

Photo by: Ivan Guarina (Dad)

Photo by: Iza Guarina ( Mom)

San Francisco USA, was one of the first places I been through , it was windy and the theme parks were the best, specifically "LEGO LAND" for those who are planning to visit the place. It was fast food every day for me and the places were really overwhelming especially the Golden Gate Bridge. Visiting this place we encountered alot of Filipinos who gather and have a tour together.

Switzerland was one of the coldest places I've been and it has satisfied my craving to enjoy snow and play in the area. I learned how to ski and snowboard and it became like a habit for me to wake up early just blend in the activities they hold for tourists. The only problem here is its really hard to find natural water because they sell sparkling water which does not satisfy my thirst especially with the cold temperature that dry's out my throat. But overall this was the best experience for me.

Photo by Anton Guarina

France, Paris , known as the city of Love. I specifically visited the Eiffel tower . we bought tickets and went up to 2 different levels of it. It has a restaurant on the second level and a tourist shop on top. Its also cold in the area , the pasta and the Gelato were the best to eat there. We also visited the tower of Pisa the building faced sideways and the Louvre , a museum which consist of famous paintings and art work made by Michael Angelo, Da Vinci and Raffaelo Urbino.

Photo by: Anton Guarina

Photo by: Anton Guarina

FOOD

Photo by: Santy Guarina (brother)

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Eating takes away my stress and it satisfy's my craving even if I'm not hungry. I eat most of the time  when I am playing , studying watching a movie and even in doing my chores. Normally people eat 3 times a day while i eat 8 to 9 meals a day because I love food most especially Pasta, Pizza Chicken and Ice cream. I enjoy eating with my family because they introduce me into new kinds of food. These food make me happy and confident with my daily endeavors in life.

SPORTS & FRIENDSHIP

Photo by: Ivan Guarina (Dad)

 Football is my favorite group sport. I get to represent my school CSA Makati and make new friends from different teams. I have been playing this sport ever since i was a kid . I also play Football with my family and travel to other countries for this purpose . The structure of the game is very addicting that the sport is actually growing in the country. The sport develops my independence and leadership. it has also taught me to be social and not be an introvert. Even until now i play this sport and hope this will be my job in the future.

Photo by: Iza Guarina (Mom)

Tennis on the other hand is my favorite individual sport. it gives me the opportunity to be confident and trust in everything i do. This is also a great game it requires consistency, speed and intelligence to play the game. I usually play singles rather than doubles so i have no one to blame when i make a mistake. This sport forms my character and gives me the attitude to never give up and not strive for mediocrity.

Photo by: Ivan Guarina (Dad)

 The outcome of the sports has resulted to new friends and the strengthening of relationships with my family. This is why i am very determined and passionate in Football and Tennis.

Photo by: Ivan Guarina (Dad)

Football 4 Life

When I was a kid, I love watching sports especially Basketball, Badminton , Tennis, Golf and Football. One day my parents saw me watching these Sports and they said to me "Son why not try the sports you watch" and in my head I wanted to and I said yes. My parents told me to try all one by one.

Photo by Iza Guarina (Mom)

Basketball is a very fun sport yet I think it doesn't fit me right because to able to play good you must at-least be tall like 5.5 feet and yet i'm like 5.1 feet but still I tried to excel on this sport because it's fun and people help each other in the game. After four months I stopped playing because I didn't love the sport and it doesn't suit me.

Photo By Iza Guarina ( Mom)

After Basketball, I tried Badminton and I had fun. I told my parents that I want to try a new sport and I said to myself  " why not badminton?" and then I told my parents about it that I want to try it out. Every Friday my parents bring me to this place in Makati called " The Zone" to play with other people or ask a coach to teach me. Playing the game was fun and exhausting. As the days pass by the people I play with left the place and I felt bor again and my parents wanted me to change sport because of that.   

Photo by: Ivan Guarina (Dad)

Football in our hometown is popular because there is a football field. When I tried it I saw it as an obligation, but getting to know the sport, it has soon been my passion. It gives me the thrill and excitement like no other sport. Introducing myself to the sport, I learned that it requires hard work, creativity, intelligence, and heart in playing the sport. I became independent and exceled to the point that the football club sent me to Spain to play for the team.

Photo by: Ivan Guarina (Dad)

                                                         

Photo by : Iza Guarina (Mom)

 Having Football as my group sport has helped me realize that I need to be independent and have an individual sport which was soon known to be as tennis. I started out playing competitively in tennis. Maturing as a child, I learn to play smart and aggressive. Tennis creates a name for me whether i'm in or out of school. This is however my secondary sport next to Football, This sport is a way  to cherish my time with my family and friends and a way of bonding with them. Even up until now I still play this sport it makes my time very productive and efficient.