 The PRFU Rising Moms in the 2024 SEA 7s: Kate Palis, Sylvia Tudoc, and Eloisa ‘Loi’ Toling Jordan. By Mark Villamora JURONG WEST, Singapore - Three emerging mothers represented the Philippines in the recently concluded South East Asian (SEA) 7s on May 2-3. The Philippine Risings Stars, the development team of the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), including rising moms #5 Eloisa Toling Jordan, #9 Sylvia Tudoc, and #11Kate Palis, are among the mothers from PRFU’s development team who claimed their spot to compete in Singapore. A mother from home to the field A Filipina raised in Hong Kong, who decided to stay in the Philippines to develop its local rugby community, was never satisfied. Kate Palis continued giving pride to her roots by raising the flag once more, this time at the SEA 7s. This rising mom has been training with her partner for the Singapore (SEA 7s) Rugby tournament, just about two months after giving birth to her son. The months of training, as well as the tournament itself, posed a challenge to both parents as they had to alternate shifts in taking care of their child while also competing as players. With no other option, they brought their son on his first trip abroad and be with them while competing in the Sevens.  Kate Palis and her son right after the SEA7s Game versus Singapore. However, there is no doubt to whom this rising mom learned to be a mother. Kate’s mother also flew to Singapore to help the couple to take care of their son, allowing them to focus on their match. “Couldn't have done it without my mom, she flew over to look after [Leo] him. And during our downtimes we went to spend time with them. Also with the help of the PRFU for helping us get Leo on the same flight,” said Kate Palis. A mother’s care doesn't truly cease, even when her child becomes a mother themselves. For Kate, her son's well-being remains her foremost priority, yet her dream of once again competing in the Asia 7s or representing the Volcanoes Team in the SEA Games persists. Defying limits as Rugby Mom Being a mother and an athlete simultaneously was never an easy path for Sylvia Tudoc, as she had to prioritize her maternal duties before attending training sessions. With her partner also representing the country in the SEA 7s, leaving her 3-year-old son and enduring hours of travel from her hometown to the Philippine Sports Commision (PSC) Ultra just to train is a major dilemma they have to face. This rising mom would have divided herself if she could, yet despite the struggle to manage her time as a mom and as an athlete, she still endures everything to represent the PH Flag. “I'm struggling to manage my time to prepare all my son's needs before leaving him at home and since I live a bit far I also need to leave early so I can ride and go with my partner going to his work,” said Sylvia Tudoc. Sylvia Tudoc has been playing for Philippine Rugby for a decade, and actively training for the team has also become her way to regain the shape she had before becoming a mom.  Sylvia Tudoc with her son during the 2022 Globe 7s Series Finale. Photo by Philippine Rugby. For her, being a mom comes first before anything else. But as long as her body can play, she will continue to train and give pride to her country’s flag. The sole rising single mom If a mother of an infant and a toddler manage to make it to Singapore, the Rising Star’s prop, Eloisa ‘Loi’ Toling Jordan, is even raising her two children alone. Despite having grown-up children aged 15 and 8 years old, they are always on her mind whenever she might have to leave them for days to compete in a tournament. As a single mother, she shoulders the responsibility of being both a mom and dad for her children, never wanting to miss any moments of their lives. When asked of her struggles as one of the moms who competed in the SEA 7s, Loi Jordan mentioned, “Being away from my kids, of course, especially as a single mom with no co-parent to attend them [my children] while I'm away and that I would miss some important milestones that would happen during my time away from a tournament.”  Loi Jordan having quality time with her son and daughter. These rising moms Kate Palis, Sylvia Tudoc, and Loi Jordan are among the athlete moms who demonstrate that no one loves like a Filipina mom. Whether it’s on the field, before the game, or even in the tournament itself, their motherhood never takes a backseat while they pursue their dreams as players. To more opportunities to athlete moms PRFU President, Ada Milby, is taking significant steps to provide more opportunities to the athlete moms of Philippine Rugby. As a mother herself who competed in the 2015 SEA Games while breastfeeding her second daughter between games, she believes that these athlete moms are never far from her struggles. But more than the struggles that an athlete faces in motherhood, for Ada, her children have made her a better athlete. “Having kids helped bring out my softer side. I've always been ambitious and driven and having kids has helped me to also appreciate the journey, not just the destination,” said PRFU President, Ada Milby.  PRFU President Ada Milby, with her two daughters named after a moon and star, Lona and Tala. Ada Milby 's contributions to the growth of women’s rugby in Asia had led her to be elected as one of the first representatives from Asia to become an executive committee member of World Rugby. As long as she leads the Philippine Rugby Football Union, she will continue to welcome athlete moms into Philippine Rugby. “Encouraging environments that support players to be an athlete and a mother… is one way to support this. Also, reminding players [athlete moms] that they are welcome to come back when they are ready,” shares Ada Milby. 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]  By Mark Villamora JURONG WEST, Singapore - The Philippine Rising Stars, the development team of Philippine Rugby Football Union’s (PRFU) National Teams program, concluded their SEA 7s Tournament, securing 5th place for both men’s and women’s teams. These are amateur national athletes selected from the PRFU’s High-Performance Program 7s (HPP 7s). The program aims to develops local-based players to hone their skills through exposure to high-level matches across Southeast Asia. The Rising Stars team is composed of 24 local-based heritage men’s and women’s players from the different grassroots programs of Philippine Rugby, namely Universities (UMak & QCPU), Schools (British School Manila), Foundations (Tuloy sa Don Bosco & Bahay Bata), Regional (Visayas and Mindanao Rugby), and the Club systems. Seven players were from the University of Makati, 3 players were from Quezon City Polytechnic University, 2 players were from Tuloy sa Don Bosco foundation, 1 player was from Bahay Bata Foundation, 1 player from the British School Manila, 2 players were from Cebu regional program, and 8 players were selected from the Clubs systems. These athletes have been training in the NCR since February, balancing their work, parental responsibilities, and enduring hours of travel just to get to training.  Hamish Flores Seddon running forward while being tackled by Laos. Photos by Gozar Images. The men’s team finished the competition in 5th place, beating Laos and Singapore in 40-7 and 19-7 lead respectively. Hamish Flores Seddon paced the team with 4 tries, and Kai Ledesma Stroem with 1 try and 8 successful conversions.  Sylvia Tudoc attempting a try against Indonesia. Photos by Gozar Images. Meanwhile, the women’s team also secured 5th, holding off Laos with the score of 15-5 in their final match of the tournament day. Rookie Jasmine Torio scored the first try for the women’s team, followed by two successful tries by Sylvia Tudoc and Dixie Albios Yu. The Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) ensured smooth hosting of the tournament, managing everything from the team accommodations to transportation to the stadium. These SEA 7s athletes were able to wear their Philippine jerseys through the support from Philippine Rugby Community globally. The spirit of the Filipino people was also evident, with support coming from different sponsors, institutions, and former volcano athletes who helped provide meals, snacks, and training shirts for the team. These development teams would not be able to step in this tournament without the support of the Philippine Sports Commission, Pillar Sports, and Fitness First Philippines. The Philippine Rising Stars will now prepare to vie for their slots on the Philippine Volcanoes men’s and women’s 7s training squad for the upcoming Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy tournament scheduled on October 4-6, 2024, in Kathmandu, Nepal. 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] 
Manila, Philippines - The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) proudly announces a regional partnership with the rugby unions of Thailand, Singapore, and Chinese Taipei. These four unions are launching an annual 15-a-side Senior Men’s Rugby competition aimed at elevating the standard of rugby within the sub-region of the Asia continent. Representing PRFU, President Ada Milby participated in the historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the recent Singapore 7s tournament. This partnership underscores a collective commitment to strengthening bonds and cooperation among Southeast Asian rugby unions, with invited entities like CTRU contributing to this collaborative endeavor. "This agreement represents a commitment to the continued development of the men's 15s game in East and Southeast Asia. In a post pandemic world, all of us want to play international 15s but travel costs are usually the number one barrier for a vast geographical region like Asia. 15s is part of the DNA of our game and we want continue providing these opportunities for players of all shapes and sizes to play and represent the Philippines.", shares Milby. The inaugural tournament is scheduled to commence in June/July 2024, featuring a Three-Union series comprising SRU, TRU, and CTRU. PRFU will join the competition in 2025. Structured as a round-robin event, the competition will rotate among member nations as hosts. SRU will host the inaugural 2024 series in Singapore. 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] Manila, Philippines - The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) proudly presents the 2024 Philippine Rising Stars men's and women's 7s teams for the Southeast Asia 7s (SEA 7s) tournament scheduled on May 2 to 3, 2024 in Singapore. The Rising Stars program is a pathway program composed of local-based heritage men’s and women’s players selected from the High-Performance Program 7s (HPP 7s) of the PRFU. It aims to develop these local heritage players and provide more opportunities for them to hone their skills through international exposure to high-level matches across Southeast Asia. The program serves as an opportunity for players who exhibit standout rugby skills and potential at the grassroots level. These players were identified by the PRFU and the National coaches due to their performance in the domestic competitions, and were invited to train with the HPP 7s. The teams have been training since February at the International School Manila in Taguig City and Ultra Philsports Complex in Pasig City. Team list below:
The Philippine Rising Stars begins their SEA 7s campaign with the pool matches on May 2, 2024 at the Jurong West Stadium in Singapore, where our teams will face opponents from across the region. The Finals matches will be contested at the iconic National Stadium, during the World Rugby HSBC SVNS Series - Singapore leg. The PRFU invites the entire Filipino community to cheer and support our teams. All matches will be streamed live on Singapore Rugby Facebook page. Filipinos based in Singapore are welcomed to come to the stadium and cheer for our teams. Thank you to the Philippine Sports Commission, Pillar Sports, and Fitness First for their continued support to our Rising Stars program. Special thanks as well to the Little Eagle Nest Foundation and DFJ Creatives for their contributions. Match times below (+8 GMT). Play off matches schedule to be confirmed:    For more information and updates, visit PRFU's website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
About PRFU 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. Pasig City, Philippines - The Pool Rounds of the 2024 PRFU Domestic XVs League have concluded with intense matches showcasing outstanding performances from the participating teams. From the intense showdowns emerged frontrunners, setting the stage for an exciting journey through the Championship Division. The excitement began with the opening fixtures between Gorillas RFC and Clark Jets, followed by Braves RFC and Ibons. Clark Jets asserted their dominance early on, clinching a victory against Gorillas RFC with a final score of 39 - 14. Led by standout player John Michael Aquino, who delivered an impressive performance with 2 tries, the Jets soared to the top of Pool A. In the next match, Ibons showcased their strength, leaving Braves RFC trailing with a commanding 56 - 0 victory. Joeben Belda led the charge for Ibons, contributing 2 tries and 2 kick conversions. As the competition intensified, the second round of the Championship Division was played on April 6, hosted by SKF Makati Mavericks Roosters. In a remarkable display of flair, the Mavericks dominated Braves RFC, amassing an impressive 103 points. Jaime Dimalanta emerged as a key figure, garnering 28 points with 1 try, 10 kick conversions, and 1 penalty kick, supported by stellar performances from teammates Johnsen Lalong-isip, Sean Rasing, and Fernan Tudoc with a brace of a try each. The intensity continued to build in the third round on April 13, as Nomads Carabaos and Ibons took center stage. Gorillas RFC emerged triumphant against Carabaos in a thrilling encounter, securing a 41-31 victory. Jiho Nam and Otto Devantier led the charge for Gorillas, while SKF Makati Mavericks Roosters secured a decisive win against Ibons. The Pool Rounds concluded with a spectacular showdown on April 20, hosted by Clark Jets at the Ultra PhilSports Complex in Pasig City. Jets showcased their dominance, securing a resounding 118-17 victory over the Nomads Carabaos. Returning Jets player, Mark John "Bimby" Magno, emerged as the top scorer for the Jets, contributing 4 tries and 1 conversion for a total of 22 points. The results of the Pool Round reveal Clark Jets leading Pool A with 10 points, followed by Gorillas Rugby Club with 6 points and Nomads Carabaos in third place with 3 points. In Pool B, SKF Makati Mavericks lead with 10 points, followed by Ibons with 6 points and Braves with 2 points. The anticipation builds as the first round of the Playoffs for the Championship Division is set for May 11, 2024 (TBC), at the prestigious Ultra PhilSports Complex in Pasig City. Nomads Carabaos will clash with Braves RFC for the 5th Plac in what promises to be an electrifying matchup. Players to Watch: Nomads Carabaos boast the talents of Ed Napallad Jr. and Kiel Profeta, who have demonstrated their power with 2 tries each in previous games. Braves RFC, led by Team Captain Billy Joe Cardeño, has emerged as a formidable opponent, showcasing resilience and determination in each match.  About PRFU
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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