Quite literally and figuratively, Michaelo “Buds” Buddin is accompanied by his parents as he leads the NU Bulldogs in the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
Buds Buddin may be 800 kilometers away from Palawan, but he’s making sure that his parents will always be by his side as he chases his dreams with National University in the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
Throughout the Bulldogs’ five-peat bid for UAAP Season 87, Buddin has written the words “Inah” and “Mmah” (pronounced as “umah”) on his Adidas volleyball shoes, which are Muslim terms for mama and papa respectively.
Along with his childhood nickname “Ikih” on the midsole, it’s through this simple, but heartwarming gesture that Buddin carries a piece of home everytime he steps onto the Taraflex with NU.
“Gusto ko kasi, pag nasa loob ako ng court na naglalaro, kasama ko pa rin ‘yung parents ko,” Buddin told The GAME in a recent exclusive interview. “Everytime na lumilipad ako kasama ‘yung shoes ko, kasama ko pa rin sila lumilipad para abutin ‘yung mga pangarap ko, ‘yung mga prayers ko.”
“Talagang halos buong buhay ko, kaya kong ilaan para sa kanila,“ he says of his love for his parents. “Sila talaga ‘yung parang motivation, inspiration, lahat-lahat. Sa kanila ako laging nanghuhugot ng lakas, everytime na nagsastruggle ako, sila ‘yung una ko lagi nilalapitan.”
Buddin has been with NU since his high school days, and has grown into one of their finest outside hitters since joining the seniors’ team back in Season 85. But as much as he’s settled down in Manila, the 23-year-old will always deal with occasional bouts of homesickness.
After all, he had been with his parents since his younger days in Balabac, to their eventual move to Puerto Princesa during his teenage years, only to leave his safe space in order to further chase his volleyball dreams.
“Sobrang hirap eh, kasi ang dami mo kailangan i-sacrifice, tas talagang ‘yung family time mo ‘di mo nagagawa, ‘di ba?” Buddin reflected.
The homesickness may be tougher on some days, but the 23-year-old has made it a point to remind himself why he’s made these sacrifices in the first place.
“Lagi ko lang iniisip na ginagawa ko ito para sa pamilya ko, para sa kanila, para sa future ko,” Buddin said. “Gusto ko kasi, pag na-fix ko na ‘yung future ko, pati ‘yung parents ko is madadamay din, kasi lahat ng ginagawa ko is para sa kanila talaga.”
On top of this, Buddin has found himself an extended family with the Bulldogs, who act as his second brothers and parents over in Manila.
“Andyan lagi ‘yung teammates, ‘yung coaches ko talaga na lagi naga-guide sa akin habang wala ‘yung mga magulang ko. Sila ‘yung tumatayong kapatid, and parents ko sila coach [Dante Alinsunurin],” the 23-year-old said.
Despite their physical absence, Buddin’s parents also make it a point to call the 23-year-old everyday, which serves as their way of expressing their love and support amid a long-distance setup.
And in return, Buddin has made it a point to honor them on the Taraflex, all while ensuring that he sets up the future that he’s dreamt for himself, and for the very parents that shaped him into who he is today.
“Everytime na bago matulog ‘yung parents ko laging nagko-call sa akin, bago pumunta ng game, nagbibigay sila ng advice,” Buddin shared. “Kaya ang laking bagay, na andiyan and makikita mo ‘yung support ng parents mo palagi, kahit alam mo na malayo sila.”
“Kaya everytime na naglalaro ako, lagi ko sinusuot ‘yung pangalan ng mga magulang ko.”
Banner images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.