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by Mark Villamora From the initial “IT IS WHAT IT IS” as the team lost their luggage en route to the tournament, to a historic “IT IS WHAT IT IS” double gold victory. A month ago, both the men's and women's Philippine Rugby National Teams hailed as the Asia Rugby Emirates Trophy Sevens (AREST) Champions in Nepal on October 5. Seven Series relegation In 2023, both the Volcanoes men's and women's teams faced relegation from the Asia Rugby Sevens Series (ARSS) to the Trophy Series after finishing at the bottom of the standings. This marked the end of their three-year stint in the Sevens Series, where the top eight national teams in Asia compete against each other in a three-leg tournament hosted in different countries each month. The relegation meant the teams needed to prove themselves again and earn their spots back among Asia's top rugby teams by winning gold at the Trophy Series.  Philippine Team starts the AREST campaign with a four-match clean sheet. A double gold comeback The men's team clinched the Cup Final with a decisive 27-12 victory over Chinese Taipei, while the women’s team held off India with a nail-biting 7-5 win. These wins secured the Volcanoes’ return to the Sevens Series. But this wasn’t just a matter of luck. The men’s and women’s Volcanoes teams launched their AREST campaigns with dominance, overpowering their respective pools with four consecutive clean-sheet matches and leaving their opponents scoreless by impressive margins. The women’s Volcanoes kicked off their campaign with an explosive start right after the opening ceremony. Vanessa Cifuentes scored the Philippines' first try just a minute into the game, undeterred by the loud cheers from the home crowd supporting host country Nepal. Cifuentes went on to become the tournament’s top try-scorer, with an impressive total of six tries in the 2024 AREST campaign.
Humps along the Everest “It is what it is” became the team's mantra when their luggage was lost at the airport upon their arrival in Nepal, along with several other circumstances that were beyond their control. "The experience was special because of how difficult it was... We have lost baggages, busses coming up late, and sort of challenges that sometimes can make it quite difficult. And we overcome a lot of those to get to win," shared men’s captain Kai Stroem shared in a live interview with Radyo Pilipinas. The challenges didn’t stop with lost luggage; the team was unable to practice on the actual venue or even set foot on the rugby field. With no other options available, they had to rent a hockey court with artificial turf, which was less than half the size of a standard rugby field. Yet, they maintained the attitude of “it is what it is,” making the best of the situation with the resources at hand. Financial challenges were also significant. Players based internationally had to cover their own flights to the Philippines for the training camp. To support their teammates, men’s Volcanoes brothers Donald and Jake Coleman organized a fundraising initiative to bring in players from New Zealand for the training pool. Management faced additional difficulties, such as needing to share accommodations due to budget constraints. The team’s luggage exceeded the maximum allowance, resulting in unexpected expenses. The team also welcomed new faces, including players, a new coach, and management, all striving to make the most of a 10-day training camp before the tournament. This camp was often the only opportunity for the players to meet in person. In preparation for the tournament, the players diligently logged their workouts and trained at their respective rugby clubs for months, supporting one another despite the time differences. Many made sacrifices in their work and family commitments to represent the team, including Volcanoes moms Kate Palis and Sylvia Tudoc, who have toddlers. The team encountered numerous “it is what it is” moments on their journey to winning double gold. Regardless of the obstacles, the Volcanoes reached their Everest. These hurdles could not have been overcome without the support of KMC, the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, Pillar Sports, Fitness First Philippines, and loyal Volcanoes rugby fans, all of whom served as crucial pillars during this journey. The Future of the Volcanoes
The Volcanoes are gearing up for a busy year ahead. As one of Asia's top eight teams, they will participate in the three-month-long 2025 Asia Rugby Sevens Series, all while preparing for the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand and the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Although the team has not yet regained the same resources and support they had prior to the pandemic, their historic double gold achievement at the AREST 2024 demonstrates that, regardless of the challenges they face, they can soar together and overcome any obstacle because “IT IS WHAT IT IS.” 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. For inquiries, please contact: [email protected] Comments are closed.
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