Alyssa Valdez: The Unassuming Champion | By JOYCE REYES-AGUILA | Photography by MAU AGUASINÂ
Alyssa rose to the apex of local volleyball fame in a span of a single season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). During the league’s 76th staging, she led the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles to their first-ever volleyball championship.
“Everything that happened that day happened so fast,†the 5’8â€stand-out narrates to PeopleAsia. “This is the third straight year that we have faced La Salle in the finals. They are really a well-organized team.â€
Alyssa emerged as the finals’ Most Valuable Player, where she scored 21 points in the last game to secure her team’s victory. She added this plum to three league awards: Best Scorer, Best Server and Season MVP.
Not one to stay at home with a Barbie doll in hand, Alyssa shares that it was through her brothers that she, the only girl, first learned the sport. In her last year in elementary, she had to make a choice: join the UST High School volleyball team, or stay at home in Batangas with her family.
“The Phenom,†the moniker the press gave Alyssa for her exceptional skills, says it was not an easy decision. “I had one year to think,†the 21-year old recounts. “I am not used to being separated from my family. Also, maybe I was scared because it’s Manila and it’s a different environment. But it was an opportunity and I challenged myself.â€
Even if she confesses to suffering culture shock, in no time at all Alyssa was making waves as UST’s top high school volleyball player. She led the team to three UAAP titles, and was hailed as MVP in Seasons 71 and 72. Over at the equally popular volleyball open, the Shakey’s V-League, her team also bagged a title, that same season that Alyssa was hailed MVP.
“There was really no pressure last year during the finals because the team was new. Even our coach was new,†she says, referring to Anusorn “Tai†Bundit. Aside from the Ateneo Lady Eagles, Tai, who’s Thai, is concurrently the head coach of the under-16 women’s volleyball team of Thailand.
The team captain of the Lady Eagles gives credit to Tai, who is already known locally as the “dancing coach†for his celebratory jigs on the sidelines. It was also the Thai coach who instilled the team’s motto: “Heart Strong†and their simple but effective mantra during games: “Happy, Happy.â€
Despite having 131,000 Instagram and 239,200 Twitter followers, Alyssa remains grounded. She doesn’t consider herself famous. “Normal†is how Alyssa describes her life despite the attention she is getting, which is refreshing. “Maybe because we don’t think about it that much,†she remarks. “We think that we are just student athletes. We don’t think that we’re doing something to be famous. We’re just doing it because we love the sport. We just want to play and maybe inspire others to play volleyball or to take up sports. We don’t think of anything else beyond that.â€
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Gretchen Ho & Michele Gumabao: Belles of the Ball | By MONICA ARANETA TIOSEJO Â
On this day, there is just a handful of people witnessing their friendly exchange of girl talk — a far cry from the 18,000 fans who sat on the edge of their seats to watch the nail-biting showdown between the women’s volleyball teams.
Feminine and athletic, they look like they were born to blossom into most valuable players. They can thank their parents for their imposing physical features. Both children of former basketball players, Gretchen stands at 5’7†and Michele towers over most people at 5’10â€.
Intensity aside, there is something about the belles of volleyball that deserves the spotlight. This is not the first time attention was drawn to archrivals, but it is the first time that volleyball — and not basketball — is enjoying popularity. “Before, the intensity wasn’t in volleyball. When we went up against La Salle, there was no hype. I guess our level of play wasn’t that high. But now that we were able to get into the finals, people started watching,†shares Gretchen, a middle blocker for the Ateneo Lady Eagles.
Outside the court and showbiz, both were trained in marketing and dream of conquering the corporate world.
(Gretchen Ho and Michele Gumabao)
“I really envisioned myself working corporate. Especially in Procter & Gamble (P&G), my dream company. Right now, that vision is blurred because of all the opportunities coming, but I’m very open to anything. I won’t shut my door to show business. It’s very broad and it’s in my blood,†she says.
The emerging sports icon from La Salle is also a fan of women who push their limits. “I hate stereotypes. Especially when people say ‘Ang babae, dapat nasa bahay’ (A woman should stay at home). I really don’t believe in that. For me, a woman should be independent. Not dependent on a man or anyone else.â€
Behind the high profile, Gretchen chooses to stay grounded and wishes to convey an alternative women’s image, especially since she comes from a traditional Chinese family. “A woman is strong, empowered and at the same time, very loving, very nurturing. There’s a balance between the soft side and the tough side. I admire women who can voice out their opinions, and who can really take a stand. It’s nice to see how women are becoming stronger now,†she says with a passion.
Admittedly more reserved, the Atenean athlete remains grounded. While success has changed some aspects of Gretchen’s life, she insists that it hasn’t changed her. “It’s nice how when you say something, it really matters to your fans. Like I have that ability to make other people happy just by taking pictures with them, just by signing autographs. But in terms of my lifestyle, I don’t think much has changed. I’m still really simple. And I choose to stay that way because that’s who I am.â€
Careful not to take life for granted, this refreshingly determined and down-to-earth attitude both girls share will enable them to carry their names to new heights, wherever they land. And it makes them winners in the game of life.
Editor’s note: The articles containing these excerpts were first featured in PeopleAsia’s June – July 2013 and August – September 2014 issues.Â
