A student of Ateneo de Davao University, and a triathlete, JJ Sarona manages to excel both in sports and academics. What's his secret?
“It’s just a
matter of time management. We all have 24 hours a day to manage and I usually
plan out my week in advance and adjust it accordingly. Planning the week helps
me keep track of the time and make sure everything is balanced,” said Jj
Sarona, a 20-year old young man who’s thinking is mature beyond his years.
He was valedictorian
in elementary and high school at Philippine Women’s College. In college, he’s
consistently on the Dean’s List and won in minor academic contests.
Even before
entering the tertiary institution, he became a dedicated athlete.
At 15 years old,
he caught an edition of the Durianman, a triathlon that features cross channel
swim, bike and run legs. There was an instant attraction to the sport.
“Even as a
spectator, I was able to feel the thrill and excitement of the sport. I fell in
love with triathlon because of the variations during everyday training.
Training always involves a new adventure day by day.”
He joined the
Triathlon Association of Davao (TRIAD), the same group that hosts the
prestigious local triathlon event that got him interested in his sport.
The variation of
the sport is what excites him. There will always be something new every year,
something unique will always come up around the corner, a new adventure, said
this young thrill-seeker.
Triathlon in Davao
has a tight-knit society. The camaraderie and support, no matter what team one
belongs to, make the sport fun. Competition is tough but it is fun.
“I train 4 to 6
times a week during race season and off-season, 3 to 5 days to maintain my
fitness level. By myself on weekdays and with my teammates from TRIAD during
weekends.”
Just like the
achiever he is in school Jj excells in his sport. He marks “the youngest
triathlete to finish the 2015 Ironman 70.3” held in Cebu as his greatest feat. But
given the training involved for each contest no matter the distance, he sees
every finish as great feat in itself. He has raced in Subic, Bohol, and Phuket
for the Ironman 70.3 Thailand, his first race outside the Philippines. Actualizing
that commitment into action is already a big achievement, he said.
When asked how
education complements athletics, he replied, “School can be quite demanding and
sports balances it out, since this is where I can release stress. We all need
some kind of release from all the stress in life that’s why it’s recommended we
all take some sort of hobby, even if it’s not necessarily through sports.”
Jj cites that one
thing in common with the two roles he play is grooming. He prefers to keep his
hairstyle short for very practical reasons—it lessens the drag when racing and
it adheres to the university requirement, plus, it feels fresher and cleaner.
Short hair works for him since he’s not fond of taking time just to fix my hair
in the morning. “Less shampoo and no styling wax needed. that takes off time
from my morning routine.”
Haircut is every
two weeks at Rocky’s. “Rocky’s and I have the same birth year,” he revealed.
“I grew up with
Rocky’s. My father and I go to the SM City branch. I tried out another
barbershop but since I am starting to have a more hectic college schedule I
went back to Rocky’s SM since it’s nearer and more accessible from our home.”
“Besides keeping
my hair short to feel fresher, I always make sure I have a bottle of fragrance
with me everywhere I go.”
Living an active
life and staying in school almost all day long, especially with evening
classes, takes a toll on odor. A long lasting fragrance will do the trick.
Recently, Jj
discovered Adventure, one of the fragrances of Rocky’s
“I tried out
Adventure perfume and the smell really describes the name. It has a very
distinct smell I like, and the scent can excite the senses, just like an
adventure. It also lasts long throughout the day.”
“It delivers to my
senses the feel of a triathlon – it’s not boring, it stands out from others,
and it endures.”
Rocky’s for his
haircut and Adventure as his fragrance of choice, Jj personal grooming will
leave a good impression on the people he interacts with daily in the sports
arena and in the school campus.
“In triathlon, we
all have their photos taken and these serve as memorabilia for races. No matter
how tired we are after the race, we put our best smiles forward for the
photographers to commemorate. Grooming helps me look fresh in the midst of
strenuous physical activity. And wow that I found Adventure, a scent in an
easy-to-carry bottle, to look, smell, and feel fresh is no problem.”
What is Jj’s
adventure?
My adventure is to
continually be better than my old self – may it be doing better in school, or
beating my personal records in triathlons. Life is an adrenaline-pumping roller
coaster ride but I believe I can always do better and that I can achieve what I
want to achieve.
Adventure perfume,
from Rocky’s new fragrance line, is available in all Rocky’s Barbershops at Victoria
Plaza, Abreeza Mall, GMall, SM City & SM Lanang Premier in Davao City, and
Centrio Ayala Mall and SM City in Cagayan de Oro City.
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