Cabanos, Plaza brothers well-rounded cogs

JUGGLING sports, academics and other priorities could be exhausting, so athletes let off steam through hobbies and other personal activities.

Siblings Amber and Arvin Plaza of the UST Golden Sox, both music enthusiasts, are members of “Band 202,” a group they formed with teammate Carlo Conge from College of Education and Golden Sox alumni Gerald Dinglasa and Mick Zapanta

The elder Amber, a Communication Arts senior from the Faculty of Arts and Letters, is lead vocalist while Education junior Arvin plays the bass guitar. Conge is drummer while Dinglasa and Zapanta are rhythm and lead guitarist, respectively.

“We started playing in high school and even though we became members of the Golden Sox in college, we made sure we still found time for music. That’s when we formed the band with kuya Carlo, Gerald and Mick,” Arvin said.

The group first performed at the Institute of Physical education and Athletics’ kick-off party and has since performed in off-campus gigs.

Aside from music, Arvin is also into frisbee and cycling. He also teaches baseball to children for free in his hometown in Tanauan, Batangas.

“It’s my own way of giving back what God gave me,” he said. “He put me where I am now, so I should share my blessings through teaching other kids how to play baseball.”

Golden Tigress Alexine Cabanos, meanwhile, proves that athletes could also be politicians as she served as a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Kagawad in Ayala-Alabang, Muntinlupa.

“My aunt told me that it was my chance to make a difference and I grabbed that opportunity to be of service to my fellow Muntinlupa citizens,” said the Speech Language Pathology student. “Even though there’s not much help needed in our village, I still joined SK because I wanted to help other people, even the outsiders.”

Serving as a Kagawad since fourth-year high school until December last year, Cabanos opted to take a break and focus on her studies and volleyball.

“I chose not to continue my stint in politics because I’m still in college,” said Cabanos. “But maybe once I graduate, I may have plans entering the Barangay council because I still have a lot in mind, like to serve other people and lead them to an easier life.”