The Following Article about 3 girls from SOS Children’s Village, Davao, Philippines Journey to Dubai UAE as part of U17 Philippine National Girls Rugby Team has been Kindly submitted by the Philippines RFU.
3 girls from SOS Children’s Village in Davao namely Angelie Krista Hifume, Angela Jessa Hifume and Diana Cosare competed as members of the U17 Philippine National Girls Rugby Team – Lady Volcanoes in the Asian Qualifiers for the 2018 Youth Olympics at Dubai Sports City, United Arab Emirates last November 29 to November 30.
According to the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), it was the first time that the Philippines sent an under-17 national girls team to compete in the Asian Qualifiers for the 2018 Youth Olympics.
For this, the girls from SOS Children’s Village in Davao are grateful and humbled to be part of this remarkable achievement. “It’s both overwhelming and challenging to be part of the Philippine Team”, said Diana. “But one thing’s for sure, we will do our best”, Angela added.
Rugby was introduced to SOS Children’s Village in Davao last 2012 through a summer clinic. When they first played the sport, they immediately fell in love with it and pursued it with their team in Davao named Davao Durians wherein other SOS children are also a part of.
Through the support of SOS Children’s Village in Davao, Davao Durians and PRFU, their dream to be professional rugby players in the near future was shaped.
Before playing for the Philippine team, they have achieved a lot of milestones that proves their passion and commitment to the game. Diana Cosare, currently one of the co-captains for the Philippine National Team, had competed in the 2014 Batang Pinoy meet in Bacolod as a member of the Davao City Team.
Back then, she was the only girl in the team and was recognized as an outstanding player. She also became captain of the all-girls team for the 2015 Batang Pinoy in Cebu and 2016 Batang Pinoy in Tagum and won Gold in both years.
On the other hand, the Hifume Twins joined Rugby 101 and Summer Clinics in 2016. To date, both of them are team captains in their school. They have also won at least one championship title in the past year with their teams. Angela Jessa has competed with Diana in the 2016 Batang Pinoy and won Gold.
She has been recognized as MVP in tournaments and Get Into Rugby Festivals in Davao and captain of the Emilio Ramos National High School team. Angelie Krista has been the captain of the Sta. Ana National High School team, In fact, she had led their team in winning the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Get Into Rugby Festival 2016, the biggest rugby tournament in Davao.
Coach Blessie Kate “Beekay” Delos Santos, the team manager of the U17 Philippine National Girls Rugby Team, shares that Diana, Angela and Angelie are deserving to be part of the team because of their perseverance and passion in playing the sport. “Bilib ako sa tatlong ‘yan. Nakitaan kasi namin sila ng puso at pagpupursigi”, she says. She also shared how thankful she is to SOS Children’s Villages Philippines for giving this kind of opportunity to abandoned and neglected children under their care.
The girls are also thankful to SOS Children’s Villages Philippines, their home, for providing this opportunity to them. Angela says, “Thank you to SOS [Children’s Village in Davao]. They are the reason why we have come this far”.
Article and Photo : SOS Children’s Village Davao Blogpost
