by Mark Villamora

No matter if they’re half Filipino, a quarter, or even just have a trace of Filipino blood from a grandparent, they gave their whole heart to the Philippines. The North American Magandaquins and UK Maharlikans are heritage Filipino rugby players who may have been born and raised on the other side of the world, but their passion to wear the Philippine jersey and immerse themselves in the Filipino community is undeniable, making it impossible not to call them our own.

The North American Magandaquins

From the Filipino word 'maganda' itself, the North American Magandaquins is a group of Filipina rugby players from North America, specifically athletes based in the United States and Canada.

These Fil-Am and Fil-Can players are part of the 'Rising Stars' development team, one of the pathway programs of the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), from which the pool for the Philippine Volcanoes National Team is selected.

Driven by a desire to get more playing time with fellow Filipinos after competing in the Asia 7s series in 2022, four Fil-Am and Fil-Can Philippine Volcanoes players—Erica Legaspi, Vanessa Cifuentes, Lora Mateo, and Lauryn Nazareno—founded the US Magandaquins.

This program bridges the PRFU in scouting players for the national team pool by training North American-based Filipina youth and equipping them through various regional games, such as the Los Angeles Invitational (LAI) 7s and Stampede 7s in Calgary, where they represent the Philippine flag.

​“Individually, we know we have the talent and athleticism to be able to compete against the top teams in Asia, but due to the structure of the national team program, we believed it was our on field connection that needed to be strengthened to truly compete,” said the co-founder Erica Legaspi.

Through their hard work & passion to represent the Filipino flag, 4 new North American Magandaquins players have been identified and added to the national team player pool of the Philippine Volcanoes following their recent tour.

But beyond improving their athleticism alongside fellow Filipinas, these Magandaquins build a close-knit bond, working on various causes to connect with their roots while showcasing their Filipina flair to the world.

“...this cohesion has extended to our off-field connections, building a sisterhood and culture that, like a tsinelas, hits differently,” said Erica Legaspi.

These US and Canadian Filipina players also completed their third tour together, competing in the Bloodfest 7s in Austin, TX, last June. There, they showcased an educational and cultural presentation of their Filipino roots, a tradition they have maintained even in their previous tours.

The Magandaquins are thrilled by the support they are receiving from fellow Filipinos, including Fil-Am, 2024 Olympics BRONZE medalist, USA Eagle Alena Olsen, who has spoken positively about their recent program, as well as from Filipinos around the world.

“Filipinos are a passionate group, and we’ve seen unmatched support whether it’s online or in person,” shared Erica Legaspi.

​The Philippine Maharlikans

Meanwhile, there is also a group of male rugby players called the 'Maharlikans,' named after the feudal warrior class of ancient Tagalogs. This team consists of Rising Star athletes from four different continents.

The Magandaquins were inspired by the national team pathway program of their counterpart, the Maharlikans, which was established in 2019. Founded by Philippine Volcanoes players and Australia-based Sean Lynch, Tommy Gilbert, and UK-based Vince Young, the program holds the same goal of enhancing team cohesion and skills while based outside the Philippines, as they returned to their own countries.

The geographic scope of the Maharlikans expanded after the COVID-19 pandemic, as the members took the opportunity to reach out to aspiring Filipino rugby players while in their hometowns across the UK and Europe, in the effort to connect more top local talent to the Philippines.

Through various fundraising projects and charity events, the Maharlikans' pathway program has expanded to the US, New Zealand, and Hong Kong, China, participating in over 20 competitions globally.

During the Domestic XVs Finals in June, the Maharlikans donated Php 150,000 to the PRFU Youth Development Program in Olongapo and Angeles, a fund they raised from the Hatfield College StoneX Game.

​The Maharlikans also aim to achieve UK charity status by 2024 to become a well-known and respected charity with a tangible impact on developing grassroots rugby in the Philippines.

“We are committed to pushing these projects forward. We will continue organizing charity matches against teams like Durham University's Hatfield College, and Cambridge University, along with many other clubs and national sides in Europe. Our goal is to double or triple our donations next year, further supporting the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) in developing grassroots rugby across the country,” said Maharlikans co-founder Vince Young.

Whether representing the Philippine flag or responding to the call for service, the North American Magandaquins and Philippine Maharlikans are always striving for excellence and service to the Filipino people.​

About 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, PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. PRFU oversees various rugby programs, competitions, and national teams, aiming to make rugby a major sport in the Philippines.

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