Ivan Cruz couldn't stand up. He was seated on the gray-carpeted floor, his back softly leaning on a white-draped chair. He was covering his face with his hands. He couldn't stop crying.
He just won a gold medal.
Cruz on Tuesday was overcome with emotions after topping the floor exercise in gymnastics in the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia after garnering a score of 13.850 points.
He wasn't even supposed to be there for the said apparatus. But after the organizers implemented new rules, limiting the Philippines' star gymnast Carlos Yulo to just four events, the responsibility of retaining the gold medal in the floor exercise rested on Cruz.
The 21-year-old, who's in his second go-around in the regional meet, not only had prominent shoes to fill—not to mention the Philippines being the four-time defending champion—there was also a personal undertone to it. Yulo is Cruz's second cousin. Yulo is also possibly the biggest reason why Cruz was back in the SEA Games. But it wasn't because they were related.
With every bit of desire coursing through his lithe frame, Cruz persevered, capturing his first gold medal in the biennial meet. It was a shiny addition to his two silver medals—one this year and one last year—in the team all-around.
The raw, almost combustible passion that poured out of his body afterward wasn't only because of joy. It was also because of relief. Of gratitude. Of disbelief.
"Sobrang saya talaga kasi," said Cruz in an interview with One Sports' Denise Tan, pausing and glancing at the ceiling as he struggled to summarize his thoughts. "Nagsama-sama kasi 'yung emosyon ko kanina, 'yung mga pinagdaanan ko sa buhay, nag-sink in lahat sa utak ko."
Cruz's story is a familiar one. In the Philippines, where life continues to be difficult, sports is one of the main gateways to a better future. Cruz saw gymnastics as a ticket out of poverty. He stopped studying after Grade 10 to fully focus on his stint with the national team and receive a regular allowance. He is the eldest of seven children. His mother works in a sari-sari store while his father, who is now estranged from them, is a pedicab driver.
"Panganay ako, parang ako lang mag-isa 'yung bubuhay sa kanila," said Cruz, who lives with his mother and six siblings in Malate, Manila. "Kulang kami financially talaga. Madalas 'yung sahod, hindi sapat talaga. Kaya humihiram ako (ng pera), ng tulong sa teammates ko. Sa bahay namin nahihirapan ako talaga kasi maliit lang, sama-sama na kami doon."
Aside from trying to lift his family out of their hardscrabble situation, he also dealt with some personal issues a few years back, which sapped the motivation out of him and forced him to quit gymnastics for one and a half years.
"Tambay lang ako nung mga time na 'yon," admitted Cruz, before adding that he also did household chores and often played basketball.
Thankfully, someone familiar steered him back in the right direction.
"Kinausap niya (Yulo) ko tsaka ng parents niya na 'Walang mangyayari sa'yo kung ganyan ka lang.' Bumalik ako tapos nag-usap kami ni Kuya Caloy, madami siyang sinabi sa'kin tungkol sa training tsaka sa labas ng gym. Sabi niya, 'Kung ayaw mong mahirapan, walang mangyayari,'" recalled Cruz.
On Tuesday, something happened. He turned into the country's newest gymnastics sensation. He earned it, striving through rough times. He was close to completely walking away from gymnastics. Now, he's on his way up.
The 23-year-old Yulo, who excitedly hugged Cruz when he was glued to the well-kempt floor, couldn't be prouder.
"Nakakaiyak 'yung performance ni Ivan, lalo na 'yung reaction niya. Kasi sabay talaga kami (nag-gymnastics), napalihis lang siya nang ilang taon. Nung magkasabay kami pinipilit ko talaga siya. Ang dami niyang pinagdaanan," beamed Yulo.
With his gold medal, Cruz is set to receive an incentive of at least P300,000 from the Philippine Sports Commission, a significant amount that will help him fulfill his goal for his family.
"Iniisip ko lang palagi, 'Makakaya ko rin 'to, mabibigyan ko rin ng magandang buhay 'yung pamilya ko.' Ngayon, ito na nga. Sana nga matupad ko. Sapat na sa'kin 'yon," said Cruz.
Hardship? Quitting? Redemption? See, Cruz's story is not new. But it also doesn't get old. Every story that evokes inspiration deserves to be told time and again.
When his eyes were slowly drying up, he started hugging the people approaching him. A few minutes later, he finally stood up and granted interviews. Visibly in a more celebratory mood, he even shared a joke.
"'Yung teammates ko na raw ang manghihiram sa'kin ngayon," said Cruz with a laugh.
Perhaps they could also borrow his resolve. That he's got plenty of.
(With reports from Denise Tan, One Sports)