After playing volleyball for two straight nights with friends, it was already past noon when I woke up today. Darn, my whole body was aching I could hardly pull my self up. But it was all good exercise. I was about to start preparing for the day when I received terrible news from a former volleyball teammate back in high school: Coach Jouel Aquino passed away 2am this morning (April 19, 2008) at the FEU Hospital. He died of pneumonia and complications.
I started playing volleyball back in Grade 7. Back then, we were required to have extra-curricular activities and there was no other choice for me and some of my classmates but to join the varsity volleyball team. It was my introduction to the sport. As I moved to high school lever, I became addicted to the game and soon pursued trying-out for the high school team. This was when I got to know Jouel Aquino as a coach.
High school volleyball formed the foundation of what I know and practice about the game of volleyball. Coach Jouel Aquino taught us all the skills we needed as volleyball players but more importantly, he taught us the value of hard work, discipline, and having the right attitude both in and outside the volleyball court. Later on, I realized that these were the lessons I would treasure for life.
Jose Miguel Cameña Aquino
August 24, 1974 – April 19, 2008
Ateneo de Manila – GS ‘89, HS ‘93, Col ‘97
It was the most unconditional love I have ever felt, and as I saw his arms open to receive me I went to him and received his complete embrace and said over and over, “I’m home. I’m home, I’m finally home.”
-Betty J. (Stewart) Eadie, “Embraced By The Light”
This is a tribute to coach Jouel Aquino who lived a life as an inspiration to others. He will be remembered by many as a person who devoted part of his life for the love of volleyball – a passionate player, remarkable coach, and a loving friend. If you happen to know him either as a coach, teammate, and/or as a friend, please do leave a comment. Share us your fondest memories of Jouel Aquino.
UPDATE: There will be a Mass in memory of coach Jouel Aquino on April 27, 2008 (Sunday) 8:30AM at the Ateneo de Manila High School Chapel (near the track oval).
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There are 13 comments to this entry
1. Back in high school, I was privileged to have been selected by coach Jouel as a worthy player to wear jersey#6. It was his jersey number back in the days when he was still playing for Ateneo. (Then in college, I was no longer number 6, darn it.)
2. Coach Jouel always hated his players playing basketball because he’s too worried we might get injured.
3. It was UAAP high school days. First game was against the defending champs La Salle Zobel. We just got our uniforms the night before. I was so excited I accidentally have put a large hole in my uniform after trying to iron it. So I had to sit down the whole game. It was coach Jouel who fixed my uniform in time for the next game.
4. Coach Jouel doesn’t want us to smoke ‘coz it affects our stamina… but he himself smokes a lot!!
- Marc Villanueva
Ateneo de Manila, batch (I forgot eh)
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..that’s why i always ask my friend to stop smoking and it paid off because he is not smoking anymore..my father died because of smoking..he got pneumonia also which is not that treatable yet back then and i’m very happy coz now we can cure pneumonia yet people still die..for me smoking is really a very foolish act because you know for yourself that it’s bad for you yet you continue to smoke,it as if you dont care about yourself your family and the environment..my point,i wish no one will anymore die because of smoking, i strongly believe that we as their loved ones can talk them out of their vices,everything can be resolved through open communication,we just have to reach out to them really hard,i strongly believe that only monkeys wont listen and agree to reasonable arguments if we try to explain it to them real hard..we just have to communicate/persuade/convince kulitin for short,madadaan lahat yan sa kulit,that’s all..thank you…
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I used to play with Coach Joel in our ateneo group who always play volleyball every Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday 8 years ago when we started the group. He was the ADMU HS coach and a good setter in our pick up games. He oftentimes brings some of his players to be exposed to a high and competitive level of playing the game. Some of his players improved and even played in the UAAP seniors division. He will always be remembered as a great coach and player who loved the game of volleyball to his players and friends. You are finally home my friend…..
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Hey, I was one of those players! I’ll try to play volleyball again with you guys this Tuesday or Saturday for coach Jouel. Hope to see you around rma052172.
See you this tuesday or saturday in ADMU college courts…you are always welcome to play with us again.
Nice meeting you Ritch. Will really try to make it a habit to play with you guys every Tuesdays. So at least I have exercise!
I’m glad to meet you again……see you on the court Tuesday.
I’m glad to meet you again……see you on the court every Tuesday.
i played for him from in high school. i was just one of those guys who joined for no reason except to accompany my friends who wanted to try out. Up until then, my only volleyball experience was intrams. I was a nerd who never thought i was going to be an athlete. his training and guidance gave me confidence not only in volleyball, but in life. In fact, from a person who didn’t play volleyball at all, i was also able to play in both the uaap juniors and seniors levels. hinding hindi ko makakalimutan na siya yung nagturo sa’kin kung pa’no maging mayabang.and no, i wasn’t good enough to use number 6, but i was good enough to play for him. good job, he changed the lives of so many players. like me. Sayang, the last time i played with him was in 2006.
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and you were good enough to be the MVP… naks!
Hi SpikeItHard,
Thanks for this tribute. I am a cousin of Jouel, hehe, welll Kuya Jouel for us his cousins.
I always loved him and admired his passion for volleyball. It’s good to know that he was successful in imparting what he knows and has been an inspiration to a lot. I am very proud of him especially that he became the coach for the ADMU Volleyball team.
Also, I would like to mention your quote from the book Embraced by the light. I believe he read and liked the book. As I remember, he recommended the book to me when I was in grade school. I read the book and liked it too. I then used it for one of my book reports back then. Anyway, it was just amazing that you got the quote from the book.
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