In a weapon-based sport requiring deliberate skills of striking, thrusting, and parrying for defense and offense done using various improvised weapons, how big is the role of the coach?

It is given that coaches are the ones who teach, guide, and train the athletes on the necessary skills and techniques in playing a certain sport. However, Mrs. Johana Marie Obregon, the MONHS arnis team head coach, believes that her duty extends beyond these given responsibilities.

Aside from being the athletes’ coach, Coach Obregon, or as what her student-athletes call her “Nanay” or “Nay,” stands great as a beacon of strength towards her students, shining a motherly figure for everyone under her care.

Coach Obregon from her students’ POV

“The best coach ever!” as what her current Arnisadors from MONHS exclaimed.

“Maka boost siyag confidence, iyaa ming ipaangat, dili mi niya ipareha anang uban nga coach nga i-strict gyud para modaog gyud, kanang ang goal sa coach nila kay to win lang gyud, wala bitaw to learn sa lesson ug sa unsay mabaw-an nimo ana nga game. Iyaa gusto siya mag enjoy gyud mi,” one of her Arnis players added.

In addition, some past students who are now in their respective career paths but were once in the tutelage of Coach Obregon alsoaffirmed and shared their experiences with her during their time in high school.

“Nikuyog gani ka namo sauna nanay nga hapit naka manganak. Atong panahona bisan gebawalan naka molingkod sa mga nag facilitate kay delikado lage kay buntis ka pero what you did was nagtindog ka whole duration sa dula, nag guide, nag cheer up wala husgahi among mga dula and many to mention. Saksi mi mga senior nanay, the best coach ever!” recalled May Ann Cainglet in a Facebook comment.

LOOK: Facebook Post of Coach Obregon Recognizing the Overwhelming Commentaries from her Previous Post 

Coach is also a friend and our Nanay

During the recent Journalism Bootcamp, the MONHS arnis team played in an exhibition game. With them is Coach Obregon, supervising the whole game and looking out for every player.

As what can be evidently heard and seen from their interactions, the relationship between the students and Coach Obregon is likely to that of a mother and son or daughter relationship.

From here and there, every player can be heard calling Coach Obregon as “Nanay” in every moment they need her. It is a situation wherein you cannot hear students calling their teachers as “ma’am” but rather mom, as in a mother.

“Mura na siyag mama namo, second mother na bitaw kay caring gyud kaayo siya. Dili ka maulaw niya bitaw kay open kaayo siya,” said Jasper James Tingcang, one of the Arnisadors coached by Mrs. Obregon.

Coach Obregon is the One, Nay’s One!

Truly, Coach Obregon is that kind of teacher that every student needs. A teacher who knows how to bring out the best in her students, in every possible way.

“Ako nga pagka-coach kay motherly and then at the same time kay they can treat me as their friend. Motherly ko in a way nga ako silang gina-kumusta even sa ilang studies, sa ilaang mga health, sa tanan even ang ilaang mga love life ako nang gina-kumusta. Nganong ingon ana ko because I believe makuha nako ilaang trust ug ilaang respect kung ingon ana akong approach sa ilaa. Kana bang they can treat me not just as a coach but also as a mother pud,” affirmed Coach Obregon of her coaching style.

Simply put, coach Obregonis a teacher who does her job by mothering, and its impactreally shows.

The Oroquieta City Arnis Team has done great achievements for the past years it has been handled by Coach Obregon. They have competed and represented the City in several competitions, including the recent One ASENSO Provincial Games last February 7-11.

Currently, they are set to engage in a school-based training in preparation for the upcoming 2024 Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association Meet (NMRAA), to which they will be representing the province in 5 Arnis divisions namely the Pinweight, Bantam weight, Feather weight, Extra light weight, and Half light weight divisions.