PRFU Club & Community Manager Named Finalist in UK’s Women of the Future Awards

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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