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.
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For inquiries, please contact:
[email protected]​​​​

by Mark Villamora

​The Philippine Men’s and Women’s Rugby National Teams wrapped up the opening leg of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series (ARESS) on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Hangzhou Normal University in China, finishing 12th and 11th respectively.

This marks the Volcanoes’ return to Asia’s premier rugby sevens tournament after clinching double gold in last year’s Trophy Series.

Women's Volcanoes

The Women’s Volcanoes ended their campaign on a high, defeating Indonesia 15–5 to claim 11th place.

The team came out firing, racing to a 10–0 lead just two minutes into the first half. Sylvia Tudoc sliced through the Indonesian defense and offloaded to Pearl Kellie, who set up Loramhel Mateo for the opening try. Moments later, after a scrum, Mateo sprinted down the sideline untouched to double the lead.

Indonesia managed to pull one back after sustained pressure, scoring just before the break to cut the deficit to 10–5.

In the second half, Janin Puig broke through two tackles before linking with Jas Torio, who muscled her way to the try line to seal the 15–5 victory. With Rassiel Sales kicking the ball into touch, the final whistle confirmed the Women’s Volcanoes’ first win and an 11th-place finish in Asia’s top division.

Looking Ahead

Both Volcanoes squads will aim to climb the standings in the second leg of the ARESS, set for October 18–19, 2025, in Sri Lanka.

Fans can show their support by grabbing official gear at the new Philippine Rugby Apparel Shop: 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

​The Philippine Rugby Football Union proudly unveils the final rosters of the Men’s and Women’s Volcanoes set to compete in the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series (ARESS), hosted at Hangzhou Normal University, China, on September 20–21.

After a 10-day training camp held from September 7–16 at the Athletics Stadium in New Clark City, 16 men and 17 women vied for spots on the national squads. From this pool, only 12 men and 13 women earned the chance to represent the Philippines in Asia’s top division, competing against Olympic-level and professional teams including Japan, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, and more.

​Some of the team arrived in Hangzhou on September 17, with the rest of the squad set to arrive on September 19.

Men’s Team – Official Roster & Jersey Numbers

No. 1 – Dylan Duncan Davies
No. 2 – Clifford Joe Dawson
No. 3 – Rafael Enrique Phillips
No. 5 – Richard Nicholas Lewis
No. 6 – Dayton Malachi Marcel Muagututia Kautai Amani-Iobu
No. 7 – Hamish Roland Henry Seddon
No. 8 – Kai Kristian Ledesma Stroem
No. 9 – Jason Cale Schirmer
No. 10 – Ethan Tyler Moxley
No. 11 – Jordan Lyric Sandoval
No. 12 – Jonel Madrona
No. 15 – Edlen Hernandez

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

The Men’s Volcanoes open their campaign on Saturday, September 20, at 12:40 p.m. against Korea, and will also face hosts China and familiar rivals Chinese Taipei, whom they met in last year’s Trophy Series final.

Women’s Team – Official Roster & Jersey Numbers

No. 1 – Pearl Venessa May Kellie (Co-Captain)
No. 2 – Takiah-Lani Buchanan
No. 3 – Dixie Star Yu
No. 5 – Vanessa Cifuentes
No. 6 – Mariah Jasmine Torio
No. 7 – Lauryn Nazareno
No. 8 – Janin Puig
No. 9 – Sylvia Tudoc
No. 10 – Loramhel Monique Marie Mateo
No. 11 – Bhea Estacio
No. 12 – Rassiel Sales (Captain)
No. 14 – Jacquiline Mae Rodriguez Lyden
No. 13 – Aldee Faith Lyde Denuyo (13th player)

Team Manager: Jane Catherine Francisco
Coach: Samantha Scott
Physio: Henri Neville Fardell

The Lady Volcanoes kick off their campaign on September 20, at 10:28 a.m. against Thailand, and will also face Hong Kong China and India, whom they also faced in last year’s Trophy Series final .

Both squads are determined to make their mark in Division 1 after the Philippines’ historic double gold victory in last year’s Trophy Series that promoted them to Asia’s top division.

Following the China leg, the Volcanoes will continue their 2025 campaign with Leg 2 of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series in Sri Lanka on October 18–19, before the highly anticipated Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand on December 11–12.

Fans can watch the matches live via Asia Rugby Live: https://www.youtube.com/live/QwFoyq5AADI?si=xvht_XK-meiOI8-X and are encouraged to show their support by purchasing official team merchandise, available at the 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

The Philippine Rugby Football Union, in collaboration with The BCDA Group and the Philippine Maharlikans, organized a rugby clinic for the Aeta youth at the Athletics Stadium in New Clark City on September 13.

The Philippine Volcanoes National Team dedicated a day from their jam-packed 10-day training camp for this community engagement, a tradition they began last year, before heading into their Asia Rugby tournament.

This year’s program, Empowering Youth, Celebrating Heritage, forms part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in New Clark City. Over 25 Aeta youth from Capas, Tarlac, participated in the event.

The day began with a lecture by UP Professor Florencia Imperial-Sebastian on the Ayta Ethnobotanical Center, followed by a rugby clinic where the Volcanoes taught the children the basics of the sport.

“The Aeta Engagement allowed me to reconnect with my Filipino heritage while witnessing the resilience and determination of the indigenous youth. It highlighted how sport can bridge cultures, foster community, and celebrate identity. This experience has shaped my preparation for ARESS 2025 by reinforcing the values of hard work, cultural pride, and meaningful connection,” said Women’s Volcanoes player Lora Mateo.

Food packs, health kits, and clothing—donated by rugby teams from around the world—were also distributed to the participants as tokens of support.

Through this initiative, the Philippine Volcanoes were given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich culture and history of their heritage, adding deeper meaning to their preparations to represent the country.
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The Philippine Volcanoes are set to compete in the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series after their promotion to Division 1. The tournament will take place in Hangzhou, China, on September 20–21, 2025.

​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]