AS WOMEN’S sports continue to reach new heights both locally and internationally, it is high time to honor our very own Ateneans who helped pave the way for its mainstream success.
From the court to their own fields of expertise, these incredible Ateneo athlete-alumnae have played a significant role in shaping the game and showing the world exactly what women in sports can do. While paving the way forward, however, their journeys are testaments to the challenges faced by many female athletes in the Philippines.
Kickstarting a revolution
Women’s sports in the Philippines have been stifled by deeply rooted cultural stereotypes that have held back many aspiring athletes.
Historically, women were often seen as fragile and incapable of participating in sports, with many people viewing athleticism as a trait reserved only for men. This mindset not only limited the opportunities for female athletes but also reinforced the damaging notion that women should adhere to roles that involve minimal exertion.
For example, sports like basketball and football are often viewed as “masculine” domains, where women’s participation is met with scorn. This bias is encapsulated in the infamous phrase, “kababae mong tao,” which is often hurled at women who dare to step into traditionally male-dominated sports.
By underscoring the narrow view of gender roles in the world of sports, this prejudice did more than just discourage women from pursuing any athletic endeavors. Such toxic mindsets perpetuated a culture that undermined the potential of women athletes, restricting their growth and shunning their recognition on the global stage. Especially in a society where athletes are considered solely for their performance, women have to prove themselves capable of achieving greatness in sports.
However, this narrative began to shift especially in environments like the Ateneo community—with the University’s philosophy of being “persons for others” extending far beyond the classroom and into the playing field. Ateneans have always been known for their commitment to making a positive impact on society, which includes fighting for equality in sports.
The University has been instrumental in providing a leveled playing field for all athletes, having platforms for women to challenge the status quo. Whether through coaching, training, or creating programs that support the female athlete, Ateneo pushes for a more inclusive athletic space. In doing so, it has helped elevate the profile of women’s sports, proving that they can achieve greatness when supported and given the chance to shine.
A new horizon
From empty arenas to rising viewership numbers, women’s sports have come a long way in marking an unyielding presence today. The hardships of passionate trailblazers worked towards a stronger sense of belonging for women in a “male-dominated” industry.
During her time in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), Atty. Mariana Lopa only dreamed of better opportunities for her team. Given the voice that she earned, the former Ateneo Women’s Basketball team captain set a higher standard on how female athletes should be perceived and treated.
In 2015, the Atenean lawyer was called to be of service to the sports industry through a non-profit organization called Girls Got Game (GGG). Standing as GGG’s managing director, Atty. Lopa empowers young girls through sports by executing sports camps, providing funding, and building a supportive community for those who dare to dream.
When set with a goal, women who dare to challenge the game hold all the power to thrive and realize feats that were once thought to be impossible. For a driven exemplar like volleyball icon Gretchen Ho, her role as a key piece of the Fab Five helped redefine Ateneo from underdogs to titans.
During Ho’s collegiate career, Ateneo’s volleyball program also improved with increasing recruitment rates and benefactors. This enhanced training camps along with the acquisition of phenomenal players such as the often-dubbed “Face of Philippine Volleyball,” Alyssa Valdez.
For football, meanwhile, the sport’s recent resurgence in the archipelago is heavily attributed to the accolades reaped by the Philippine Women’s National Football Team in recent years.
The Filipinas made headlines after qualifying for the FIFA World Cup despite talent-laden competition at the continental level, with none other than former Ateneo football star Cam Rodriguez playing a pivotal role in the feat.
For a woman with many caps like Rodriguez, her entry into various lines of work is a testament to not just being a woman, but also an ate for others. As a professional football player, mental performance coach, game analyst, and advocate, she makes sure to always “pay it forward.”
Rodriguez, who has focused on football since the age of 10, has since extended her wings to the Ateneo Volleyball teams, where she got together with her partner and Ateneo athlete-alumna, Juju Joseph.
As the Academic Student and Sport Adviser for the Ateneo and UAAP athletes, Joseph is working toward a “holistic practice that does not just focus on the athlete, but the human behind it.” Such an idea calls for more support toward student-athletes’ general growth instead of solely focusing on their performance.
Trailblazers who take the first steps toward sparking change show their persevering love for the game. It is by the battles fought by these headstrong women that budding athletes can now stand on a platform with a solid foundation. Although their aspirations took women’s sports to greater heights, there is still much more left to do.
A woman’s game
Ultimately, a woman’s drive is what puts her on the floor. Being a woman, even in today’s age, still demands each one to earn her place in the world—a spot that should be inherent, not fought for. And yet, women work twice as hard each day—whether or not they are asked to.
While being a woman can be both a challenge and a blessing, it is, above all, a responsibility—a truth well-acknowledged by Rodriguez. “It’s all about representation, it’s about providing a space to celebrate stories that are already there. Sports stories are a vessel for experiences and truths that are universal to all,” Rodriguez stated.
As the voices of female athletes become amplified, their needs and stories are recognized by decision-makers who have the capacity to help out. “Before, I just used to play, to be just a participant in the game. But now, I am a driver, I am a pioneer, and I drive change,” Rodriguez shares about her outlook on partaking as a shot-caller in the industry.
The ideal woman Joseph aims to shape in her students comprises “confidence, support, kindness, compassion, and resilience.” In true Atenean fashion, each individual, regardless of gender, can soar higher through encouragement and assistance. Once you give a woman equal chances, rest assured that she will also show you how to get the job done. After all, one thing is certain—allow a woman to play and she will change the game.
