Arnel Navales Aba’s Story Arnel Aba, 28, a former jeepney driver and a native of Iligan City, lost his right leg in a vehicular accident in 2004. A drunk driver drove straight at him while he was examining his jeepney’s engine on the side of the road. For someone who was a street bully, a basketball aficionado and living a very active life, being immobile left him depressed. He was at a loss and had tried ending his life a few times. “I tried to slash my wrist but it hurt,” he said laughing. “I tried to hang myself but the tree branch broke. I tried to get hit by a bus but I got scared.” One time, as he was waiting for a pick-up truck to ram him, the driver stopped and talked him out of it, this driver happened to be a swimming instructor, convinced him to try swimming. At first, he didn’t like the idea, but after remembering that the doctors had recommended swimming as part of his therapy, he agreed. “I am fifth in the brood of seven, and our family is poor and I can’t afford the training." Swimming The coach, Cecil Meqiabas took care of him, taught him how to swim, motivated him, let him use their pool for free and even paid for his race fees and swimming gears. When Meqiabas left for work abroad, he endorsed Arnel to PHILSPADA coaches Tony Ong and Ral Rosario. Arnel now makes history in swimming. He currently holds two South East Asian Para-Swim Records in the 400m freestyle and the 200m Individual medley. His 400m freestyle time is 5.16 and he swims the 50m butterfly in 32 seconds. His favorite event, the 200m freestyle(2.31.34), was dropped from the roster of events in the last few ASEAN Para-Games after he ruled that distance for over three years. He now teaches in Akiko Swimming School at Collegio de San Agustin(CSA) and at the PhilsSport Arena in Pasig City. Triathlon Relay Team While winning in swimming competitions, Arnel met clubfooted cyclist Godfrey Taberna and one-hand runner Isidro Vildosola and decided on forming a triathlon team to challenge themselves more and to give inspiration to others. In August 2012, a photo of Arnel appeared on the front page of Philippine Daily Inquirer, a national daily newspaper. In the picture, Arnel hops off the water alongside two of the country’s best known triathletes, at the end of a 1.5km open sea swim of the 2012 Ironman Challenge held in Cebu. Their Para-Tri team placed second in their event. Running & Cycling Arnel wants to do the triathlon alone. One of his dreams is to have a prosthetic leg that he can use for running, but he has to use his crutches for now as he has no means to buy one. He runs with his crutches around the PhilsSport Arena to practice every morning before or after his swimming classes . Last September 2012, he finished his first 3K fun run with clubfooted cyclist Taberna in the 2012 Tetra Pak Run held at Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Other fun runs followed. Cycling is another story. Prior to his accident, Arnel can comfortably ride a bike, but now riding with one leg is a challenge. A friend gave him a standard racing bike to help him to do the triathlon. In time, a few meters became kilometers. He now cycles three to eight kilometers regularly. Full Triathlon Nothing stops Arnel Aba from doing a triathlon. Last March 3, WetShop (a sportswear brand) organized the 2013 WetShop Mini Triathlon, at the Acropolis village in Quezon City. Arnel made one of his ambitions come true, to do triathlon by himself. Swimming was easy as it is his regular event; he outclassed abled athletes in the pool. He then hopped toward the bike mount area and geared up. With a standard bike, Arnel pedaled eight kilometers. There’s an uphill area where he struggled and at times needed to push the pavement with his only leg to move his bike. Upon reaching the biker’s end line he dismounted from his bike and got his crutches and ran two kilometers. Arnel Aba did not only finish the race but also incredibly placed third in this mini triathlon. “It feels great to do all the three events of the triathlon by myself!” Family man “Starting a family is another challenge that I want to fulfill in my life.” Arnel just started a family. Last January he brought his 3-month old daughter and her mother from Bacolod City to Manila after his daughter’s Christening. Arnel stays at the PhilsSport Arena trainers and athletes’ quarters during weekdays. He is always in contact with his family – every hour through texts and phone calls. Every Friday night he goes to their place and spends the weekend with them. He is yet to marry Joy Andola, the mother of his child and wants to do it soon. He said he is just waiting for a good timing. What’s next? What’s next for Arnel Aba? Surfing, mountaineering? We’ll see real soon. “Impossible is nothing” –Muhammad Ali
