Filipinas: A special Philippine football moment
- Rodolfo Dacleson II
- Mar 21
- 4 min read
The Philippine women's national football team has always been a pleasant surprise to Filipino fans. They have never failed to make the nation proud since earning the spotlight they deserved.
For the Filipinas, it’s all for their motherland, despite prevailing questions about their nationality — at its heart, allegiance — because of their westernized looks.
“Anytime we can put our country on the pedestal, make it the talking point, and make sure people are talking about us and know how strong we are, that’s the most important,” said goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel after the Filipinas ruled the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, according to the Philippine Olympic Committee.
“We belong in this conversation. We belong at the top. We’re just continuing to prove that again and again, and we want to be regulars at the top,” she added.
At present, McDaniel and the rest of the Filipina booters have fulfilled their vow. They’re going to run it back on the global stage.
The Philippines secured its berth in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup with an entertaining 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in the play-in round of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
In the 2022 edition, an unknown Malditas squad personified the definition of “action speaks louder than words.” Their silent effort, perseverance, and dedication brought a non-footballing nation to its first World Cup by reaching the semifinals — the deepest run they had ever achieved — of Asia’s biggest women’s football tournament. What started as a bid to establish themselves has now cemented their place among the continent’s elite teams.
Four years apart, yet the magic didn’t fade. It remained even when the momentum of their maiden World Cup appearance felt halted. The Filipinas weathered the storm of leadership changes in the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) that altered their trajectory over the past two years.
More than their looks, which some claimed weren’t Filipino enough, their unyielding spirit resonates with the country. Filipinos refuse to give up despite their plight, hoping their hard work will bear fruit in the future. They bend but rarely break. Resilience is a trait inherent to the nation.
Under the John Gutierrez administration, the women’s national team lost longtime manager Jeff Cheng, who had also been their major sponsor since 2017. He resigned because his priorities and goals differed from those of the federation. Cheng’s tenure saw the Philippines reach milestone achievements, including World Cup qualification and winning the AFF Women’s Championship, the nation’s first major international trophy.
In the face of uncertainties, what remains certain is the players’ commitment to represent the flag.
“I think now there’s no more time we can waste. We’re really just hoping that the federation, management, and everyone who’s on board are going to continue backing us in this journey. All we can do now as players is [to keep it at] one game at a time, and it’s kind of in our hands at this point,” veteran midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki told Laban Filipinas in an interview during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers.
Less than a year later, she and the Filipinas have scheduled a trip to Brazil next year. Just two months ago, they won the country’s first gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games across football events. The ladies have simply turned history-making into a habit, and they’re not done yet.
This may be why rooting for them isn’t difficult as a Filipino. More than their looks, which some claimed weren’t Filipino enough, their unyielding spirit resonates with the country. Filipinos refuse to give up despite their plight, hoping their hard work will bear fruit in the future. They bend but rarely break. Resilience is a trait inherent to the nation.
Make no mistake: we shouldn’t feel content. Now that the Filipinas are going to the World Cup again, more must be demanded from the PFF. Beyond photo-ops and congratulatory remarks, real work has to be done behind the scenes. Philippine sports have long seen this pattern of empty promises and lip service, and the federation cannot afford to follow that script. With more than a year to prepare, there is time to build — anything less risks wasting a rare opportunity for the nation.
The Filipinas’ milestone couldn’t have come at a more symbolic time. That it arrived during the celebration of the annual International Women’s Month this March only adds to its meaning. Lest we forget: “hindi ka lang babae, babae ka” (you’re not just a woman, you’re a woman). Their herstoric success is a testament that women can be part of the conversation. Like men, they can succeed and make history in sports.
At the heart of our calls for support and recognition, it’s about our growing love for the sport.
Football can create good memories, and for that reason, it deserves to be called the “beautiful game.” Its beauty pulls people together to watch two sides compete for the winning goal. In wins, losses, and draws, each match offers a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
The Filipinas are among the special football moments for the Philippines.
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