INTRODUCTION

PEOPLE
Yano
Romeo Lee
Manny Villar
Nur Misuari
Benjie Paras
Dino Ignacio
Eraserheads
Jerry Barican
Obet Verzola
Jessica Zafra
Zider Lubiano
Myla Algarme
Gary Granada
Raymond Red
Mike Defensor
Jerome Bailen
Eric Altamirano
Amante Jimenez
Miriam Defensor
Malou Mangahas

ISSUES
ID
UAAP
STFAP
US Bases
Collegian
Frat Violence
SAMASA split
SR controversy
Sexual Harassment

Alissandro Zider Lubiano used to be unguarded from the blows of his aggressive opponents. He might actually have been red-eyed from punches or tears of disappointment. But indeed, life can, at times, be a ride. Because now, he is humbled no more.

He was the taekwondo superstar in the 20th Southeast Asian Games held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei last August 1999. Many Filipinos, disheartened by the dismal performance of the RP contingent, were awakened when Lubiano clinched the gold in the middleweight division following a heated final bout against his Thai counterpart. He dramatically ruled over his opponent who almost grabbed the title when Lubiano was knocked-down in the 8th round. "Actually, I thought I was going to lose noong ma-knock-down ako, but suddenly I realized na kailangan kong lumaban para sa bansa." Lubiano was quoted as saying.

Defending the gold he secured during the previous SEA Games in Jakarta was not easy. In preparation for the Brunei games this year, he underwent more than seven months of intensive training under the strict supervision of national coach Victor Noel Veneracion. He also had a 10-day drill in Korea last May. Even until now Lubiano works out his kicking techniques, jogging and attending his sparring exercises on a regular basis.

Although sports could never be a source of bounty for the indigent, Zider could be considered more fortunate than other athletes. For his part, Zider had sufficient financial support from his family and this was made doubly sweet since he came from a family of sports enthusiasts. At present, his sister Sheryllyn is the team captain of the UP women's basketball team.

His hardwork paid off when he bagged his first silver medal in the UAAP games in 1994. From there, he conquered the same tournament winning the gold in '95,'96,'98 and '99. He further proved his ability when he won the two consecutive SEAG gold medals. His other achievements include a bronze medal in the welterweight division of the 1995 Southeast Asian Taekwondo Championship in Bangkok, Thailand. The following year, he received a gold medal in the middleweight division of the same tournament in Vietnam while capturing a bronze in the same division in the 1998 Asian Taekwondo Championship.

Being a student at the same time, Lubiano's academic performance was affected by the demands of his sport. He had to drop subjects during semesters thus delaying his graduation. He finally finished his degree in Education last October.

Although his time was limited, Lubiano was a member of several organizations. During his last semester in UP, he was a member of the Internals Committee of the Science and Math Majors Advocate in Responsible Teaching (SMMART). Being an accomplished athlete in taekwondo, he also held a vital role in the Taekwondo Blackbelt Brotherhood.

Lubiano is currently training fulltime for the tournaments he plans to compete in next year. He will not however join the RP taekwondo team in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. "May naka-slot na doon eh " Lubiano said. He will however try-out for the 2001 SEAG to be held in Malaysia.