Multi-time UAAP and Palarong Pambansa medalist for swimming. Three-time Ironman World Championship Qualifier. Philippine Triathlon Team Coach. 

These are some of the many accolades of national triathlete Ani Karina Sarabia de Leon – Brown, or Coach Ani to countless numbers of athletes she has taught or continues to guide today. But before making a name among the all-time greats in the ultra-competitive world of multisport, Coach Ani was once upon a time a UPIS student who proudly hails from Batch 1992.

1. What was one memory of your UPIS days that you often go back to?

“It was all the ups and downs of being with my friends—my girlfriends from Batch 1992, TAYO, and with my UP High School Swim Team friends.”

2. How did UPIS shape/influence the person you are today?

“I love that we came from all walks of life. Because of that, I had an unsheltered,  more realistic, and practical view of people, and it made me more prepared for ‘meeting with the rest of the world,’ so to speak.”

3. Was there a specific person from your UPIS days who had a great influence on the path that you took after high school?

“Yes, I had more than one, teachers whom I really liked, some because of what I learned from class, some because of the way they treated me. Some were just memorable because they made the whole class laugh, and we looked forward to those hours. Prof. Villegas (Fil Drama), Prof. Yangco (Practical Arts), Prof. Belleza (Music), Prof. Tan (Music), Prof. Rivera (English), among others.”

4. If you could go back in time, is there anything you would like to change in your high school life?

“Maybe I would just tell myself to not worry too much about what other people think—but honestly, I feel this is something that most kids in Grade School and High School go through. The need to blend in socially and be accepted within a peer group.

Other than that, not a thing.”