Partially blind bowler Joel Cochico practices at the bowling lanes (photo by Brian Yalung) By Rafael Bandayrel and Brian Yalung For some athletes, a major injury means saying goodbye to the sport they love. Visually impaired bowler Joel Cochico, however, continues to light up the alley despite living in the dark. “I lost my right eye about three years ago and my left last February (2017),” Cochico explained. “I was diagnosed with glaucoma 31 years ago, and through the years my eyesight waned. So my eyesight gradually left me.” Other than the fact that it takes Cochico a while before releasing his shots, watching him play would not give one the impression that he could not see his target. At a bowling alley in San Juan, Cochico demonstrated that he could still play and in one shot, managed to knock down almost all the of pins but two. “Bowling is about feeling. Even if you cannot see, as long as you have the feel, you will be able to play bowling,” he stated. Cochico said that an activity that he used to teach his students equipped him with the necessary skills to continue playing without his vision. “I used to teach kids every Sunday with Ms. Claudette Santiago and we had these sessions in which we were blindfolded, including the kids,” he told Manila Bulletin Sports Online. A shoulder injury prevented Cochico from bowling daily but it was the gradual deterioration of his eyes that sidelined him for a long time. “I used to play every day. It felt like I’m going to be sick when I did not play,” recalled the 54-year-old. An invitation to the Philippine Paralympic team is what brought Cochico back to playing. “Coach Benshir Layoso with Christopher Chiu Yue came to me and they invited me because they don’t have a visually impaired entry,” said Cochico. But what pushed Cochico to consider the offer is his loyalty to the sport. “I hope I can do it. I really want to give something back to bowling because I’m passionate about it.” While most sportsmen utilize physicality and athleticism, the blind bowler believes that feel and mental strength are his weapons. “Mental game is very important in bowling, especially for handicaps like me because it can get frustrating,” Cochico stressed. Asked if he gets frustrated like he suggested, Cochico answered “no” firmly and explained, “I feel like I’m more motivated. I need to hone the skills I learned through the years again.”