Jessel Lumapas’s journey into the world of sports began almost by accident. As an active child, she often played tag with her friends, mostly boys. Her school principal noticed her boundless energy and challenged her to channel it into running. “They made me join — ‘Oh, go run over there!’ So I ran. Until I was surprised that, ‘Huh? I won already?’” she recounts in Filipino, a hint of amusement in her voice. After a brief foray into taekwondo, she found herself back on the track team, eventually earning a spot on the national team at the young age of 18.
“My first SEA Games at Clark was my first time wearing a two-piece,” she shares, her Filipino words revealing a touch of embarrassment. “I was embarrassed, I couldn’t focus on my run. And then, it was like everything in my life was happening so suddenly. I was shocked, having to just face all that God was giving me.” She recalls another surprising moment: their team breaking the national record for the women’s 4×400 meter relay at the last SEA Games. “My teammates were celebrating, but I was frozen. ‘Huh, Philippine record?’ All the difficulty from training, the breakdown days… it felt so good to see it all finally bear fruit.”
While victory is sweet, the path to it is often paved with hardship. Like any journey, Jessel’s path has been shaped by her circumstances, presenting her with challenges. “I wanted to perform well. I wanted to give my best. But the opportunity that I was given was limited,” she explains. Despite these obstacles, she continues, driven by her unwavering faith. On days when she struggles to find her rhythm, she turns to her rosary for comfort and strength. “I talk to God like, ‘Lord, whatever it is that I feel, thank you. You’re doing this for me so I can learn and be stronger.”
On the field, she leaves her worries behind. “You forget about all your problems. I think about training, I don’t think about anything else,” she says. “When I start, I feel relaxed in my muscles.” In her downtime, she enjoys hiking and reading the works of John Maxwell. For aspiring athletes chasing their dreams, she offers words of encouragement: “Always look at the future,” she advises. “Don’t go [down] the wrong path, because you might fall.”
This month, Vogue Philippines celebrates the stories of grit, determination, and the pursuit of excellence. Jessel Lumapas’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the beauty of achieving one’s dreams against all odds. It is a reminder that even when faced with limitations, the path to victory is always within reach, fueled by faith, hard work, and a relentless spirit.
