Play like a WOMAN

Society stereotypes that women are more fragile and weak, and men are stronger, more dominant, many female athletes face discrimination in our society, yet it didn’t stop them from succeeding. They demonstrate and prove that with their tenacity, perseverance, and hardwork, women athletes can win golds.

Hidilyn Francisco Diaz, a Filipino athlete, and one of Philippine’s source of pride, disproved critics when she won the first gold medal for the Philippines in the women’s 55-kilogram weightlifting event at the Tokyo Olympics, giving honor to the country. Filipino fighter Nesthy Alcayde Petecio, Tennis player Alexandra Maniego Eala, and both skateboarders Margielyn Didal and Christina Means, exemplify that even though people claim their activities are only for guys, they became one of the living proofs that women can play in a man’s world.

These female athletes have participated in multiple competitions and have shown their capabilities in the field, and their representation empowers women all over the Philippines, and in AlSci. Female students of AlSci also disproves the misconception of martial arts being an only guy sport. Shania Rich Flores of Grade 10 - Sapphire is an international competitor specializing in Poomsae, said that women are often underestimated in the field despite their skills due to gender bias. Her classmate and also a taekwondo player, Jilliana Leica Digal, added that even though people are now normalizing women doing martial arts, she can still witness silent discrimination.

Flores and Digal are not the only ones who excel in martial arts. Classmates and taekwondo players Tricia Dela Cuadra and Janna Doctor of Grade 12, Leptons are multi-medalists that have been in the ring since their childhood days. Both are each other’s motivation, empowering one another in the ring.

Janna Doctor stated that she admires her teammates, especially her best friend, Dela Cuadra. She says that she can really see her best friend and her teammates’ determination to pursue their own sports career. “Kay feminine ang girls ba feeling nila ang girls kay dili nila kaya ba, dili nila kaya magwin in a situation but for me kato na challenge ang nagpursue na dili lang ka female na makaya kaya ra.” She added.

“I admire her,” Dela Cuadra stated, referring to Doctor, ”I have admired her since day one. She’s with me throughout the way. She always encourages me to join. Last provincial meet, I don’t know if she could still remember it but she’s the one who always put me high.” She added.

Dela Cuadra also wants to inspire girls that are discouraged to join martial arts because of the stereotypes. “I want you to hold on to your goals, set your standard high no matter how people view you. Stay strong and humble, stay your feet on the ground. Never let negativity eat what you want.”

These girls proved that women being normalized in hard hitting sports does not only bring more women into the field, but also encourage each other. Notwithstanding discrimination, difficulties, and hardships they face, female athletes continue to dominate the sports world. They defy expectations, gender norms, and criticism, demonstrating once again that women can dominate the world of sports and win golds. Play with pride, bravery, and perseverance, play like a girl.