For some, dreams are things one must aspire towards, no matter how long it takes, and no matter whatever it takes. Dreams can be achieved in a span of a few weeks, a couple of months, or even over the course of a year. What matters most is that one clings to that dream, because in an instant, things can fall into place for that dream to come true.
Bea Escudero (IV, PSM) recently fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a UAAP courtside reporter for De La Salle University, a school she has been affiliated with since her days in De La Salle Zobel. With the help and encouragement of her friends and family, Escudero will man the sidelines as DLSU’s courtside reporter for UAAP Season 79, following in the footsteps of Jeanine Tsoi and Ina Ongsiako.
“I guess I liked how lively everything gets inside the arena and I loved how the reporters could really give [the fans] in-depth information about how it goes on with the teams and with the coaches, and I guess I wanted to give that,” she mentions, adding that her exposure to sports such as football dates back to her grade school days.
Exciting challenge, different perspective
Though she has been a member of various organizations prior to her courtside stint, Escudero sees her new position as one that provides a different challenge compared to what the likes of Iisang Tugon sa Tawag ng Panahon (Santugon) presented to her. More than dealing with a different set of people, it’s the pace that sets UAAP courtside reporting apart from her extracurricular organizations in school.
“Nowadays, with the courtside reporting, you really have to always be on your feet,” she further elaborates. “You always have to know every little thing that goes on and you have to observe it pretty well, so that you really get to report well.”
Prior to her first game as a courtside reporter, she first got the opportunity to bond with the players and got to know them beyond their on-court skills. As she knows, having relationships with the team off the court will help her get a better understanding of what is happening on the floor. In Escudero’s mind, it is also her duty to help forge that same connection between the audience and the athletes.
“I get to know their stories, why they are playing, why this is such a privilege for them to play and stuff,” she explains on her role in connecting the players to the audience. “So I guess that on my part, I’ll be able to give [the viewers] those kinds of stories, like why are [the players] really here.”
As a courtside reporter, she will get a different view of the UAAP games, one that being a regular fan doesn’t really provide. Previously a frequent attendee of La Salle’s games, Escudero will now have a part in bringing both action and key insights to the viewers at home.
“I’m still trying to get the feel of everything here, especially now that this is my first game,” she says on the new experience. “I’m hoping that sooner or later, I’ll be able to get more comfortable, with the team and also with my reporting style,” Escudero adds.
Family above all
The job of courtside reporting is not an easy one, but Escudero feels she is prepared because of the countless people who have helped her reach this point.
“My parents, most especially, every single night, they help me with my reporting, like they help me practice and they tell me all the things I need to improve on, and they also motivate me to do the best that I can,” she elaborates. “And for my orgmates, they were the ones who actually pushed me to do this, because they really know that this is my dream and it’s just so surreal that I’m actually here.”
While new to the job, she does have goals for herself, one of which is making the DLSU community proud. She believes that if she does everything to the best of her ability, she too will be able to leave a legacy similar to those before her. Escudero also elaborated on another goal which stems from her parents.
“I told my dad… my wish coming into this is that he’ll be able to watch one game for La Salle, and that he’ll be able to wear a green shirt,” she says, mentioning that her dad studied in Ateneo.
With her great attitude, passion for DLSU, and bubbly personality, Escudero will surely be able to win over the La Salle faithful, and maybe one day, even convince her dad to wear the Lasallian green.
