As a child raised in the Philippines, Mico Angelo Del Poso would celebrate family gatherings and parties at resorts and beaches. Each time he sees the pool, he would jump into it regardless of its depth or if anyone is there to catch him. His love for the water was very evident ever since he was a child and because of this, his mother enrolled him in a learn to swim program one summer break.
When he was in grade 3, Montessori De Sagrada Familia opened its newly added sports facility, the MDSF Swim Center. Mico tried out and joined the swimming varsity team. With this, he competed in the BULPRISA, CLRAA and other interclub swim meets. In order for a swimmer to improve his best time, a huge amount of time should be allotted for training and preparation; Mico understood and took this challenge with his heart, he never wasted any of his free time and trained with determination. After school, he goes to the swim center regularly to complete his workout and drills. On weekends, instead of engaging in rest and recreation, he religiously trains and this routine continues even during summer and semestral breaks to strengthen and his skills. If there’s a need for Mico to train in the morning before school, he gets up early while everyone is still asleep, prepares everything and eats his breakfast independently.
Because of a great demand of their time for training, most student-athletes struggle in academics. Mico is an exemption. He is a consistent honor student and a diligent one as observed by his teachers and classmates. The school principal Mrs. Vilma Dela Cruz commends Mico for his effort to balance both academics and varsity life.
Mico’s greatest inspiration is his family. Mico’s parents and sibling have always been there to watch his every competition and provide for every need that his chosen sports entailed. Mico has also found a second family among his fellow teammates who have shared the same swim journey with him since he started.
Last April 2017, Mico qualified in the Palarong Pambansa held in Antique and bagged multiple wins: 2 gold medals for 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle, 1 silver medal for 200m freestyle and 1 bronze medal for 100m butterfly. Not only did he make the Sagradan community proud, but the rest of Central Luzon as well. Upon arrival, he was recognized by the offices of the governor and the town mayor and was even given an honorary distinction as one of the recipients of the “Dangal ng Baliwag, Natatanging Kabataan” award.
Just like his idol, the great swim Olympian Michael Phelps, Mico was very steadfast and consistent because he knew that great things are always a product of hardship and a lot of sacrifices. His swim journey in winning the great Palarong Pambansa gold teaches us that love, hard work and dreaming big are the recipe for greatness.