Virtual Dojo of Gretchen Malalad

Peaceful Heart, Warrior Spirit

A  WEAPONLESS WARRIOR

    Who amongst us know the heart, soul and yearnings of a Filipino athlete?   Becoming real before our judicious gaze is the form of a female karateka taking up the gauntlet to validate her mettle. 
    
        There, Gretchen Malalad stood — tall, tan, exotic, radiating that notable kind of mind-energy aura of one who has passed beyond physical pains and failures. While mending from a dislocated shoulder just barely a week after her cast was removed, she must have felt a sudden fear of her own weakness seizing her. But she had to mold her fate…. She would not follow the line of least resistance and accept the compromise usual in such an obscure weakened state.

        Her path was clear before her. Thus, she joined the Binibining Pilipinas 2003. She fancied herself not only nerved for this plunge, but eager to take it. The grace of a goddess, the stance of a warrior– she won the titles Most Talented and Most Fit. She would not be answerable to no tribunal of limitations but that of her own judgment.       

       She is like no other woman. 

        This was, from then on, how things were to be done– to be brave. After all, a warrior has to put premium on courage above everything else… After all, Gretchen fits the spirit of the times… Already, Gretchen Malalad IS that warrior… The flame that charms, delights and draws us like moths is in this strong-looking Weaponless Warrior.

Henceforth, this weaponless warrior shall fly free as a butterfly with a peaceful heart, yet, sting like a bee to defend and hold on to power. That 1999 SEAG loss was to be her point of motivation, thereon. Gretchen forged a new identity, recreating a public image of her own making. She decided that if she had to play a meaningful role, she would have to turn the game around. This 24 year-old 5’ 7” 3-time SEA Games gold medalist beauty’s rise to sports fame begun in 2001 Malaysia SEA Games winning the +60 kg. Kumite gold, then in 2002 at the Busan Asian Games acquired the bronze medal.

        Unlike other women, Gege found herself accepted into a clique of a male-dominated Phil. Air force. A champion karateka, a soldier– this is categorically protean power at its finest. Our weaponless warrior Gege, by being herself, is now empowered with the Promethean task of taking control of her life and disallowing failures to have that ability to bind and limit her.

Behind all these, is a larger-than-life reality of love for her family. Deep in her heart and soul lays a yearning that she could do more not only for her country, but also for her dearest family. This being so, she took it upon herself to join the PBB Celebrity Edition. Unfolding daily events inside Big Brother’s house solicited our attention and made us want for more.
     

        After three Housemates’ nominations for possible eviction and an unforeseen voluntary exit, what came alarmingly too soon was the Phil. Air force’s presenting an AWOL case against Gege. She would have to confront this harsh reality. There was the rhythm of drama and suspense as she faced her trial. From then, the pace of her actions unfolded at an increasingly rapid rate. She had to get back before the allotted time Big Brother had imposed on her expire. In altering the viewers’ mood, she made use of a dramatic contrast, held her audience (believers and non-believers) in suspense, and then hit us with the bold gesture of returning after a positive result of the PAF proceedings.
      

        This seemed all the more momentous. What cannot be grasped cannot be crushed, so to speak. Even now, as we watch her, we discern a different kind of power. It must be her ability to adapt herself to each Housemate she was with. BE ALL things to ALL– to a hawk, she was a hawk; to a lamb, she was a lamb. She followed the lead of serious Rustom, the gait of a dancing jovial Keanna; she listened with compassion, she understood– what Gege was to Mang Rudy, she was also that to Mitch, to Roxy and most particularly to Aleck; to Rico, she was the sparring partner, to Budoy, John and Zanjoe — she hummed and strummed the guitar– the fluidity that is in Gege.
       

         In essence, this is a weaponless warrior– this is Gretchen. Her life had become a challenging PBB sitcom. Distracting fame and accolades, substitutes like superficial vanity lost their cheap allure. She would not be wrecked by fame and selfish obsessions, or mere love of pugnacity in competitions. She knows. She knew how to triumph over hardships- the 24-hour nonstop ballet sacrifice, the rejection from a trusted friend, Aleck. Steadfast with a ruthless will, she faced the problem and focused all her might in obtaining her goal. Her inner resources had been and will be an embarrassment to riches. Even through the infamous eviction right after her sacrifice, goodwill surged through her– accepting the decision and understanding a wayward Aleck. Every decision she was rendered, she accepted and stood by it. It made sense — how wise, how thoughtful, how just, how peaceful…
        

      This is Gretchen Malalad; she takes to a warrior-pose, a karateka in a featherweight loose-fitting armor… energy coursing through like raging river, right thru her fingertips. The beautiful kicks in! Haaaaeyeaah! BAM! Her lithe body, her olive skin, her zesty eyes, her feelings, and her mind - she is jet-propelled, sprung! She feels savvy and strong, this Airwoman, feeling accomplished and strong and nearly able to fly; once a soldier, this karateka’s guiding mantra begins and ends with respect, tolerance and goodwill.
       

        Tough girl, this thoughtful daughter of Peter and Maricel– every personal pain right after she was out of PBB, she endured. Today will be just be another yesterday, but she will come out of it with a firecracker heart, a compassionate heart. And everything that was bothering her just… slipped her mind now. Bygones will be officially bygones and from the past she had good lessons to remember for the new day that is beckoning on her.
 

    The ENERGY, the POWER, the EXHILARATION,
the CLARITY, the CALM, the SIMPLICITY,
the COURAGE in
GEGE. 
         

    Our way is with Gretchen Malalad!
          

    - An article written by BetterThanBare-