MANILA — Filipina karateka Jamie Lim credits her parents for the woman that she is today.

Lim is the daughter of UP Law dean Darlene Berberabe and the late PBA legend Samboy Lim. 

'He is my idol': Family pays tribute to Samboy Lim

But she is also making a name for herself in the world of sports, bagging several medals in different international competitions.

“I think my main motivation is to do this for my parents and to make them proud and happy. Growing up, I looked at them as my idols and they were just so kind. They were amazing at their fields but they were kind people and loving parents. So that was the mentality growing up,” Lim told ANC’s Headstart.

Like her mother, Lim also graduated summa cum laude from UP, and is now pursuing her masters abroad.

“She is amazing, she’s my biggest idol. She does so many things and she’s very intelligent. She has so many things on her plate, I do not know where she actually gets the energy,” Lim said of her mother.

Lim said it was always “natural” for her to become the best version of herself, thanks to her parents whom she idolized.

“I wanted to be like them… They always had a way to motivate me not in the ways that is not pressuring me, but just like slowly pushing me up and giving me the right words and so much love. That’s why I wanted to excel and work even harder,” she said.

"I'm grateful that I grew up with that value. It's just the way I approach things. I really do not want to settle for less... It's natural and something I do not have to force," Lim added.

Lim said she is happy with how social media has helped her in inspiring young people, especially girls in sports.

“It’s very touching to me because of social media, I get to reach a lot of children and when I see them in local competitions they ask for pictures,” she said

“I think some people underestimate what a woman can do. They always think men are stronger but they forget that we are very strong, not only physically, but in the mind and in the heart,” Lim said.