Difficulties are the necessary conditions to achieve greatness, something proven over and over as Filipinos have triumphed on the global stage to achieve recognition time and again.
 
Once considered unachievable with the talent level of competitors from other countries with better nutrition and sports programs, the recent influx of medals and achievements by Filipinos across a varied list of sports has put a focus on the Filipino brand of perseverance.
 
The triumph of Hidilyn Diaz to secure the country’s first Olympic gold medal during the 2020 Olympics instantly comes to mind.
 
EJ Obiena’s exploits in the field of pole vaulting have made people reconsider the sport and its potential to produce more Filipino athletes as successful as him.
 
In the field of combat sports, one need not say the complete names of Filipino athletes before instantly getting recognized, with last names such as Pacquiao and Donaire so instantly recognizable not just in the country but the world over.
 
It is in this backdrop of relative obscurity that the story of the triumph of Jayson H. Orfiano, Jr. began, a story of ambition overcoming adversity, of sheer determination overcoming challenges, not just in the country but also on the international stage.

Bemedaled journey in Kenya
 
Orfiano, Jr., 21, took all his learnings from years of honing his martial arts skills in the province of La Union, particularly in the coastal town of Bauang, to punch his name on the world stage, clinching four medals at the 11th Mombasa Open Tong-IL Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship that took place in Kenya from December 11 to 20, 2023.
 
The Tong-IL Moo-Do is an integrated martial art that organizes and blends circular movements and linear movements, assigning value and significance to various techniques and movements within this harmonized system.
 
His haul included gold medals in the Individual Bon and Individual Sparring categories while also earning himself a silver medal in the Team Bon male category and a bronze medal in the Team Mix Bon category.
 
Orfiano, Jr. currently juggles his competitive passion for martial arts with school work.
 
He is presently taking up Electro-Mechanical Technology at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-Mid La Union Campus (DMMMSU-MLUC) in the province’s capital of San Fernando City.

The young lad’s intense preparation, fiery commitment, and dedication to his craft guided his eventual triumph on the global stage, evident in his strong performance in the recently concluded international event that drew competitors from countries around the world.
 
Aside from his prowess in the martial arts scene, Orfiano, Jr. also actively participates in the development of his town, being an active member of the Local Youth Development Council of Bauang town.
 
Provincial pride
 
His success has also not gone unrecognized, as the provincial government of La Union, the local government of Bauang and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Bauang have all posted congratulatory posts on social media for his success, beaming with pride as hometown hero has brought home honor and triumph.
 
“The Provincial Government of La Union recognizes and commends the exceptional achievement of Mr. Orfiano for bringing pride not only in the province but in the entire country,” the Facebook page of the provincial government of La Union says.
 
The local government of Bauang meanwhile noted how the achievement of such a young person with so much potential to improve even more inspires the youth to also try to emulate his success in their craft.
 
“Another pride for the Municipality of Bauang, La Union. May you continue to embrace your passion and inspire our fellow youth in the municipality,” the local government of Bauang says in a Facebook post.
 
The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Bauang says that it also draws inspiration from the recent triumph, noting how Orfiano, Jr. exemplifies excellence and an example that the youth can emulate.
 
Inspiring the next generation of youth
 
With the outpouring of congratulatory messages, Orfiano, Jr. remains resolute in his desire to succeed but also reflective about the journey he took to gain the international awards he received.
 
“Thank you [sa lahat ng naniwala at nag-tiwala sa akin],” Orfiano, Jr. said.
 
(Thank you to everyone who believed and trusted me.)
 
This triumph undoubtedly inspires the next generation of youths to also aspire to achieve great things and avoid being boxed by opinions on what they can and cannot achieve, with Orfiano, Jr.’s achievements on the global stage setting an example and a bar that the youth of the province can aim to replicate or even surpass.
 
Orfiano, Jr. says that the youth can learn from his achievement by having a good work ethic, a deep sense of dedication to their craft, and a belief in one’s self that they can compete with the world’s best, regardless of where they come from or the challenges they face along the way.
 
As Orfiano, Jr. settles back to the old familiar proving ground that successfully prepared him for his international achievement, it shines an additional light on the potential of the youth to be extraordinary within the confines of the resilient and vibrant community of Bauang. (JCR/AMB/MJTAB/CCMT, PIA La Union)