I first heard of the Power of Now from one of Oprah’s shows. After that I started searching for Eckhart Tolle’s book. I chanced upon a sale at Powerbooks one day and got mysefl an audiobook copy. What I learned from this book is to focus on my life as it is happening Now.

Although our past will influence and shape us and the promise of the future will guide us but the NOW as it is happening is what keeps us focused. And so my next question for our inspiring young athlete is her experience NOW at it is happening at the Palarong Pambansa. When I first saw Julie Ann she was sitting together with her teammates on the left side of the bleachers of the People’s stadium. At first I thought she called the place “vaulting” but apparently vaulting as Wikipedia defines it: “The vault is an artistic gymnastics apparatus, as well as the skill performed using that apparatus. Vaulting is also the action of performing a vault. Both male and female gymnasts perform the vault. The English abbreviation for the event in gymnastics scoring is VT.”

Gymnast Julie Ann Borneo with Leyte Gymnastics Coach Sweet

I arrived at the time Julie Ann was practicing her vault and as a complete novice in Gymnastics lingo I didn’t realize I was intruding. Yet, her coach Ms. Sweet accommodated my request to interview her athlete. We wanted to hold it where her team was but the music from the ongoing competition proved it difficult for us to hear each other let alone record her answers. I requested Coach Sweet if there is an available adult who can go with her so I can conduct the interview outside the competition area. Coach Sweet accompanied Julie Ann together with another gymnast.

Below is a clip of Special Education Philippines‘ interview asking Julie Ann about her current experience in joining the Palarong Pambansa 2012