SALGADOS ..

morning, Sept. 2. She was 23. Could be so unfair for someone who had to put up being nice and good for too much of her life. But isn’t spending short and quality life worth the heavenly rewards?

Looking back, I must say that Lariba’s development was quick and easy. Then strolling as a kid at Pelaez Sports Center in Cagayan de Oro, Yanyan had gone to a secluded corner of tiktak-pong and was immediately smitten by the table tennis bug. She picked up the paddle and numerous accolades would soon befit her including the MVP award in Mindanao Milo Little Olympics.

In our first Palaro together in Marvel, Cotabato (I was a coach then to my son Lennon Hart and his childhood buddy Antonio Chavez Jr. for NMRAA chess), we witnessed how the lefty , bobbling Lariba dominated the sport like no other.

As usual, NorMin bets will have to struggle for dear life in other sports disciplines but not in table tennis with Yanyan at the helm of the region’s quest for medals.

Against the best from NCR, its practically like a practice game for her it’s a pity to watch every opponent with no chance of survival as we cheered from the stand “Lariba, Lariba (to the tune of Ariba, Ariba) when she went on winning the Palaro’s individual gold in sweeping manner.

In Dapitan Palaro, I remember Corpus sports coordinator Eric Miguel having a hard time to justify Yanyan’s presence as the palaro board—upon the rival regions’ insinuation—won’t let her play because she overqualified.

That’s the aftermath when as a 12-year-old, Lariba took the big city by storm, competing in the national event, even winning the upper age brackets including the Open category at the expense of the much older and more illustrious members of the Philippine team.

More than she proved it once again during her UAAP days that she never lost a single match up to qualifying to the Rio Olympics.

“What she accomplished was her own prophecy she wrote in our high school year book about her dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete someday,” Corpus Christi School director, Dr. Alfonso del Fierro was giggling with excitement as he told me after the talented sibling of two ordinary workers, Mel and Tony, was able to strut her stuff in the world’s largest sports arena—the Olympics!

Back in Cagayan de Oro shore (rewind, some years later), me came from a night-long drinking binge. Half-drank, half-awake on a jeepney ride passing through Velez st. on my way home when I spotted Yanyan at daybreak having a light jog around the Capitol Park as could be part of her morning ritual. See the deepest, darkest stark contrast?

She’d been highly disciplined, courteous, God-fearing and great achiever through all her life.

And here we are. Big sinners, less pleasers, nocturnal body health pathetic bums and are still very much alive and kicking.

There’s no justice to it, I must say. But Yanyan Lariba will always be an inspiration I learn a lesson or two out of her amazing grace through life and death till mortality ends.

Up to her last breath, up to her last battle… the fight that she bravely fought she’s an angel.

She’s also a flower. In fragrant meadows.. of dawn…. and dew. A joy to watch and sweet aroma to remember.

Rest it easy Yanyan. You will always be our hero!