by Mark Villamora

​The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), led by Interim Head of Operations Lorie Baclagon and several members of the Women’s Volcanoes National Team, conducted a rugby sports clinic at Pasig City Elementary School on November 8, 2025.

The activity was part of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) “Fun-Larong Bata” program, which aims to introduce sports that are not yet included in the Batang Pinoy competition — with rugby being one of them. The initiative seeks to develop young athletes who may one day represent these emerging sports in national youth tournaments.

Selected schools from all 16 districts of Metro Manila participated in the event, promoting wider exposure to rugby among students across the region. The program also aims to expand soon to other regions in the Philippines, allowing more young athletes nationwide to experience and learn the sport.

​About the Philippine Rugby Football Union
The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) is the governing body for the sport of rugby in the Philippines. Established in 1998, the PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. It oversees various programs, competitions, and national teams, with the aim of making rugby a major sport in the Philippines.

For inquiries, please contact:
[email protected]

by Mark Villamora

​The Philippine Women’s Rugby Team made an impressive showing, coming just one try short against Kazakhstan, losing 14–5, in the final leg of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series today, October 18, at the Colombo Racecourse Sports Complex in Sri Lanka.

In a match full of late-game drama, the Women’s Volcanoes kept it a closely contested battle.
The Volcanoes’ first-half fire was highlighted by Vanessa Cifuentes delivering a crucial tackle to stop Kazakhstan just short of a try at the two-minute mark.​

Lora Mateo offloaded under pressure, Janin Puig secured the ball, and Jacquiline Lyden got it and sliced through the gap to score the Volcanoes’ first try of the final leg, ending the first half at 7–5 and keeping them close to Kazakhstan.

The second half mirrored the intensity of the first. Both teams fighting in time-on for a late-game try, but Kazakhstan ultimately claimed the match 14–5.

​Still, the Philippines delivered a strong performance in this closely contested game.
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About the Philippine Rugby Football Union
The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) is the governing body for the sport of rugby in the Philippines. Established in 1998, the PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. It oversees various programs, competitions, and national teams, with the aim of making rugby a major sport in the Philippines.

For inquiries, please contact:
[email protected]

by Mark Villamora

​The Men’s Volcanoes delivered an impressive performance against first-leg top-seeded Hong Kong (China), falling 33–12 at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series today, October 18, at the Colombo Racecourse Sports Complex in Sri Lanka.

The Philippines struck first off the kickoff in both halves, a commendable feat for the last-seeded team taking on the giants.

​Joe Dawson, Kai Stroem, and Edlen Hernandez showed rock-solid defense in the fourth minute, holding off the top-seeded Hong Kong and maintaining the early advantage. The Volcanoes continued to defend strongly throughout the first half, but Hong Kong managed to take control, finishing the half 14–7.

The second half opened with a breakaway try from the kickoff, as Kai Ledesma delivered another magic pass to Hamish Seddon, closing the gap to 14–12. Despite this strong push, Hong Kong quickly reasserted their dominance, eventually finishing the match 33–12.​

Even as the last-seeded team from Leg 1, the Philippines displayed resilience and skill, making the game competitive and putting up a commendable fight against the top-seeded Hong Kong squad.

About the Philippine Rugby Football Union
The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) is the governing body for the sport of rugby in the Philippines. Established in 1998, the PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. It oversees various programs, competitions, and national teams, with the aim of making rugby a major sport in the Philippines.
​
For inquiries, please contact:
[email protected]​​​​​​

by Mark Villamora

​The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) proudly announces the 13 men’s and 13 women’s Volcanoes who will represent the country in the final leg of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series (ARESS) this Saturday, October 18, at the Colombo Racecourse Sports Complex in Sri Lanka.

Men’s Team – Official Roster & Jersey Numbers

No. 1 – Clifford Joe Dawson (Vice-Captain)
No. 2 – Jason Cale Schirmer
No. 3 – Dylan Duncan Davies
No. 4 – Kai Kristian Ledesma Stroem (Captain)
No. 5 – Dayton Malachi Marcel Muagututia Kautai Amani-Iobu
No. 6 – Edlen Hernandez
No. 7 –  Michael Moses Blatteis
No. 9 – Jovan King Jasper Masalunga
No. 10 – Hamish Roland Henry Flores Seddon
No. 11 –  Ryan Mitchell Curtis
No. 12 – Jonel Madrona
No. 13 – Ethan Tyler Moxley
No. 14 – Falefiaoalii Hugo Japa Stanley

Team Manager: Lalaine Joyce Bacus
Coach: Darryl Bill Suasua
Physio: Jun Whei Chea

​The Women’s Volcanoes will open their campaign against China at 12:36 PM (PHT), while the Men’s Volcanoes will face Hong Kong (China) at 2:04 PM (PHT).

Watch live on our official Facebook page or through this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/PA3L-CmVMgk?si=izHVUC1w0TAjMbsK

Support the team by purchasing our official gear, now available at the new Philippine Rugby Apparel Shop: https://www.philippines.rugby/shop

About the Philippine Rugby Football Union
The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) is the governing body for the sport of rugby in the Philippines. Established in 1998, the PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. It oversees various programs, competitions, and national teams, with the aim of making rugby a major sport in the Philippines.
​
For inquiries, please contact:
[email protected]​​​​​

by Mark Villamora

Angel Marie C. Gelisanga, Club & Community Manager of the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), has been named one of the finalists for the 2025 Women of the Future (WOF) Awards for Southeast Asia, announced on September 25.

Now in its 8th year, the WOF Awards celebrate outstanding women across Southeast Asia who create meaningful impact in their fields, challenge stereotypes, break boundaries, and drive positive change through courage, hard work, and determination.

Beyond her role with PRFU, Gelisanga also serves as a ChildFund Rugby Pass It Back Leader and President of Negros Island Rugby. Through her leadership, numerous youth rugby initiatives have been launched nationwide, with a strong focus on empowering young girls and proving that rugby is a sport for women too.

Earlier this year, Gelisanga represented the Philippines in a panel discussion on the growth of women’s rugby across Asia during the BritCham & KPMG Rugby Dinner in Hong Kong (March 27, 2025). She shared the stage with former Hong Kong international Kim Ka Kei Kan and ChildFund Rugby Co-Director Megan Knight.

“If I win this award, I will dedicate it to the young girls who once dreamed like me, and to those who believe that sports can truly make a difference. I also dedicate this to the entire rugby community, whose passion and hard work continue to inspire me every day. This recognition is not just mine, but for all of us who believe in the power of sports to change lives,” said Gelisanga.

Gelisanga is among five finalists in the Sports category of the 2025 WOF Awards. Notably, two nominees represent rugby: Gelisanga herself and Lotchana Keomanyvong of the Lao Rugby Federation.

Other sports finalists include Olympian sailor Cecilia Low Rui Qi of Singapore, Nor Farah Ain Abdullah of Malaysia’s National Sports Council, and martial artist, MMA fighter, and actress Tharoth Sam of Cambodia.

See the full list of 2025 WOF Award finalists across all categories here: Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia Shortlist.

About the Philippine Rugby Football Union
The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) is the governing body for the sport of rugby in the Philippines. Established in 1998, the PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. It oversees various programs, competitions, and national teams, with the aim of making rugby a major sport in the Philippines.
​
For inquiries, please contact:
[email protected]​​​​