PRFU WELCOMES RISING MOMS TO COMPETE IN SEA 7s

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
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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.
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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
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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.

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