Ellaine Saclag: Young Benguet Muay Thai warrior
Ellaine Saclag of La Trinidad, Benguet is only 15 years old but says that age is not a hindrance when there is passion and discipline.
Ellaine found her interest in Muay Thai at the age of 13 inspired by a national athlete, Islay Erika Bomogao, and since then, she has never regretted discovering her interest.
“I was inspired by Ate Islay Erika. Seeing her strength and performance online, made me realize that I also want to achieve something through Muay Thai, and that’s the reason why I decided to commit to the sport”, Ellaine said.
She has to balance between discipline and training along with academics in her everyday life.
During a normal training session, there are warm-ups, shadow boxing, pad work, bag drills, sparring, strength and cardio exercises and will never leave her sessions without cool-down stretches and recovery exercises in order to avoid being injured.
Although balancing school and sports is not an easy task, Ellaine has learned how to organize her life.
“I ensure that I complete my school work first before I train. It is all a matter of time management and setting priorities,” she explained.
Her most memorable moment was when she participated in the Batang Pinoy competition.
“It seemed very gratifying at the instance when the referee raised my hand and put the gold medal around my neck. It was all worth the effort and pain of sacrifice and training,” she said.
The challenge she faced, however, was of a financial nature when she competed in Palawan.
“At times I needed the assistance of friends or had to make a strict budget of whatever I purchased. It made me know how to make the best of what I had though, it was a lesson in responsibility,” she said.
Ellaine added: “When I feel like quitting, I simply look at what I want and that is to win and to improve. Some pain is part of the process, and I should continue to persevere.”
In the future, she envisions herself as a college graduate or employed category while she still competes in Muay Thai.
Her message to her fellow youth is: “Don’t be apprehensive in trying. Doing Muay Thai will not only strengthen you as a physically strong person but also develop mentally. Be disciplined, have confidence in yourself and never give up your objectives in life.”
More than being a young athlete on the rise, Ellaine Saclag is an epitome of hard work, perseverance, and inspiration to all the young people out there who hope to one day make passion their purpose. – John Batario, PIO Baguio intern / Gaby Keith
