Bernisse and Erielle Chua: “It runs in the family”

From fist bumps and taps on the back, to the dinners after competitions and cheerful hugs amidst a heartbreaking defeat, being a part of a team does not only grant you to be a part of an organization that focuses only on winning but it also lets you become a part of a family as well.

DLSU Lady Tracksters Bernisse and Erielle Chua are lucky enough to have been teammates for most of their lives. Athleticism and intellect were clearly prominent in their blood as both girls excelled in badminton during high school and went on to become pole-vaulters when they entered DLSU. Both are also accounting majors with the 21-year old Bernisse now in her final year at the University, and 19-year old Erielle currently on her second year with an additional degree in Applied Economics.

Finding the silver lining

Badminton may have been the first love for the Chua sisters, but they eventually found their home as members of the DLSU Tracksters. In their high school days, Bernisse and Erielle were varsity players for St. Jude Catholic School. “Parehas kaming nag-start sa badminton,” describes Erielle. “[During my freshman year] badminton varsity ako dito sa La Salle and then I switched to track and field for personal reasons and [because of my sister],” she adds.

The elder sister, Bernisse, had a different route in entering the team when she was a freshman herself. She shared that she really did not plan on being an athlete but then tried out with her friends partly for fun. As it turned out, her athletic abilities reached far more than just badminton and discovered that she was an exceptional pole-vaulter as well. Bernisse, who is now in her final year of duty, was also named co-captain of the team this season.

Being a student-athlete was difficult enough, but the Chua sisters took it a notch higher by taking one of La Salle’s most difficult degree, which is Accountancy. Erielle took it even further by adding BS Applied Economics degree to her undergrad course, making her a double-degree holder.

“Mahirap talaga [to balance studies and training] kasi training [starts at 6 a.m.] Pag-uwi, pagod ka na, so tulog muna and then aral. Siyempre, [I also] ask help from friends since [I’m taking accounting] so it’s easy to cope kapag may hindi ako alam or may na-miss,” says Erielle.

Nothing out of the ordinary

Outside the realm of track and field, the Chua sisters could be compared to just about anyone who has siblings, which makes fights a normal scene in the household but so as the love and support they show to each other afterwards.

Bernisse and Erielle are the second and third children, respectively, out of four. Although the bond among siblings are of equal footing, Erielle expressed how Bernisse has always been her support system since they have been teammates and roommates since high school.

“She’s the one who actually pushes me to go to training because last year I had conflict with training. I ran for USG, and Coach got angry because I devoted myself to campaigning,” says Erielle who is currently the Excel 2016 Batch President of the student government.

Although Bernisse has always been there to support her, Erielle admits that her sister uses a different approach to encourage her: “Sige, quit ka na!” the older Chua would say. Erielle explains that she finds Bernisse the most straightforward sister she has, and her being frank has helped Erielle stay motivated. “After some time, [I would realize that Bernisse is right] since she’s older and she’s our team captain,” Erielle says, laughing. But all the harshness aside, the sisters can be considered as the best of friends, even sharing other hobbies besides accounting and sports, like baking during the Christmas season.

With Bernisse set to graduate by the end of the school year, it is up to Erielle to continue the legacy her sister left to the team. Although, for Erielle not to have Bernisse at her side during trainings, competitions, or even at school, she hopes that the guidance and advice that her sister has been giving her would be enough to keep her going for the rest of her stay at the University.