Gifts of Manila: experience the South East Asian Games! It only happens once every fifteen years and we got to experience it! The SEA Games were held in Manila last November-December 2019 and we were able to watch a volleyball game and even spend sometime with two water polo athletes. Manila, your traffic is a nightmare but I’ll take it if it means I get the incredible experiences you give to me. (And sometimes we need to create these experiences for ourselves. While Manila gives quite freely, it’s still a relationship so you get out what you put in.)

SEA Games Water Polo|

A little unknown fact: I played volleyball for two universities in the US my first two years of college. It was always my dream to play for a Division 1 volley ball team and I ended up walking onto a ______ university team first and then walked onto a different D-1 team the following year. Volleyball was my life for a long time so it’s fitting I moved almost next door to the Phil Sports Complex (ULTRA) which houses many volleyball events. We bought our SEA Games volleyball tickets more than a month in advance and I ended up watching the first match from my hospital bed. I broke my foot the day before the first volleyball game. It was disappointing to watch from a bed but I still enjoyed cheering by myself in a room in St. Luke’s attempting to coax any nurse to watch with me. Btw, St. Luke’s, your nurses are extremely dedicated as every single one I tried to convince to watch SEA Games with me politely declined as they had work to do. Lol.

Up close and personal! Pictured is Manila’s favorite, Alyssa Valdez.

Lucky for me, we were able to attend the championship game the next week. The Philippines vs Malaysia. It was unreal to bring my kids, husband and watch the Philippine national team represent this country we love so dearly. And yes, we all went nuts over Alyssa Valdez. I was incredibly impressed by the young Phil National team that ended up wining the last 3 of the 5 games. They were young and simply put, ON FIRE! I used to always be a ‘young rookie’ who didn’t get on the starting team so seeing these ‘young rookies’ kick so much butt was super inspiring. I know the mind set and pressure or having to prove oneself. And of course, my heart will always belong to the libero, defensive specialist, my position.

We were able to get great seats thanks to my broken foot!

We didn’t end up winning against Malaysia but it didn’t stop our hearts from being filled with pride. There is something so ethereal about a community event and attending SEA Games was incredibly special.

SEA Games Water Polo|

Social Media is a funny world and has given me unique opportunities and really cool friendships. A few years back I had an article that garnered some attention and in turn connected me with the Sicat family. Over the last few years we’ve stayed in contact and by some serendipitous turn of events two of the Sicat children, Gabi and Vincent, represented the Philippines in the SEA games water polo. They put their lives on hold to train and represent the Philippine water polos team. What an incredible life experience. We were able to meet up with the Sicat family and the boys were even able to hold and wear a SEA Games medal that Gabi and Vincent both worked so hard to earn. How cool is that!?

Sicat Pamilya, Pinoys are the best!

Manila, you are pure magic! I feel so fortunate to have these unique and wonderful opportunities because we are here in Manila surrounded by such a warm culture. Pinoys are unlike any other.