From the time Badminton reached its ultimate high in this country in 2003, I've been playing the sport for 2 years. My friend and I used to drive all the way to Camp Aguinaldo to play in its (poorly lighted) court and the queueing system is such that you have to volunteer your services as umpire so you could get to play your turn. Since the former President's wife was an avid badminton player (Mrs. Ming Ramos), the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) encouraged their soldiers to excel in the sport. Soldiers who would accomodate our request to play with them, would show no mercy and make us run all over the court. However, there would be others who would pretend that they are just "average" and would allow us to beat them. Of course, it was all in the spirit of fun. In a span of 2 years, badminton courts sprouted like mushrooms and all of sudden, everyone is playing the game. Its good actually, to see people playing and getting a good work-out at the same time. In my Bank, what used to be a badminton club numbering 20 people has grown to 180 + members. Imagine that!!! We had a tournament yesterday (officially from 7am to 7pm but got extended to past 8pm) called PENTAD (representing the 5 elements of our insignia: INTEGRITY, COMMITMENT, BENEVOLENCE, EXCELLENCE and DISCIPLINE. I was with Team Integrity playing in the Level 1 Women's Doubles. After playing 4 games, my partner and I won the Bronze Medal. Not bad. Of course, we wanted to bag the GOLD but so did the other 4 pairs and they were equally good players. Bank Management was very supportive of our tournament. We had free breakfast, lunch and light merienda. Lots of Photo-Ops and giveaways provided by sponsor-clients. The individual teams had their own sets of uniforms, gimmicks and battlecries. All had fun but the stress of playing under severe scrutination and very humid conditions inside the court took its toll on me. I begged to go home early instead of staying for the closing ceremonies as I was already in the throes of a roaring headache. I went home from the games with a Lootie Bag, a sore body, a headache but with a Bronze Medal to show off. Till next year. I was asleep by 9:30pm.