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]​​​​

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]​