By Angel Joyce C. Basa and Aine Peralta

Through fostering bravery, Far Eastern University (FEU) was home to some of the greatest female athletes in the country. With track and field stars Elma Muros-Posadas and late Lydia de Vega-Mercado and basketball legends Raiza Palmera-Dy and Allana Lim opening doors for younger athletes, more players are stepping up to prove that women can thrive even in the deemed ‘physically difficult’ sports.

In honor of International Women’s Month, FEU Advocate asked several female student-athletes about their journey, realizations, and visions from being a woman in sports not ‘typically’ played by girls.

Defying expectations 

From as early as childhood, female athletes are looked down on especially in unconventional sports that are not commonly played by girls sporting pigtails, braids, and headbands. Thus, one part of growing up in these sports includes experiencing the harsh reality of constantly being criticized.

Growing up in the field, Lady Trackster Edna Magtubo shared how she had to work even harder to prove her spot in track and field.

“I often felt like I had to work twice as hard to prove I belonged. People would say things like, ‘It’s too tough for a girl,’ or ‘Women aren’t as strong as men in this sport,’” she recalled.

Despite feeling underestimated at times, she refused to let such doubts define her. Instead, she used them as motivation to push herself even harder, proving that passion and perseverance outweigh outdated stereotypes. 

Like Magtubo, Lady Jin Czarina Danganan also recalled how people often questioned her for choosing to play a combat sport, given her gender. She shared how the phrase “kababae mong tao” lingered during her earlier days.

While many sports demand physical endurance, the mental aspect is just as crucial—if not more so—in chess.

Lady Woodpusher and Women's International Chess Federation Master Glysen Derotas, captain of the women’s chess team, noted that female players often face the stereotype of being “too guarded” in their gameplay.

“Kapag mahina daw ang loob mo, bumabalik ‘yung mga piyesa mo [at] hindi ka na makakaatake (If you are weak-hearted, your pieces will get back at you and you won't be able to attack),” she explained.

For Tams FX (TFX) player Aaliyah Katherine Baylon, the Esports community can also be critical to female players like herself despite being welcoming to newbies.

“Given that Esports is a male-dominated field, misconceptions such as ‘pabuhat lang naman ‘yan’ and ‘hindi naman kayang lumevel ng mga babae sa lalaki’ are commonly directed to us women,” she stated.

With encouragement from the people around them, the female athletes all chose to pursue what their hearts wanted despite not fitting the stereotypical profile of what an athlete should be—highlighted by the Lady Jin.

“Hindi ako na-pressure kasi siguro sa kung paano ako pinalaki, lagi lang sinasabi ng magulang ko na ‘gawin mo kung saan ka masaya,’ so ayun lang tinatandaan ko lagi (I was not pressured because of how I was raised, my parents always told me to ‘do what makes you happy,’ so that is what I always keep in mind),” she said.

Defining reality 

With female athletes entering a bigger platform in their respective fields, TFX’s Baylon opened up about being overlooked by other managements because of her gender, often doubting her skills in representing a team in tournaments.

Despite this, she became more empowered after being trusted as the team captain of TFX Bovidae, the female clan representing the organization in the Call of Duty: Mobile tournaments.

“The pressure is different; I take the criticisms, I stand proudly, and I lead the team. It’s a heavier responsibility yet TFX saw the potential in me that I could lead even if I was just a rookie,” she expressed.

Hailing from Laguna, Tamaraw cagebell MJ Manguiat also recalled an empowering moment with fellow male players from her hometown recognizing and commending how far she has come.

“Siyempre ‘yung mga kasabayan kong naglalaro nung bata ako, ‘yung mga lalaki ganiyan, parang lahat sila binabati ako na ang galing-galing ko na [at] ang layo na ng narating ko, pati ‘yung mga coaches ko before, parang tuwang-tuwa sila sa kung anong nararating ko ngayon (Of course the people who I used to play with before, the boys, they would always tell me that I was great and that I have come so far, even my coaches, they are very happy with what I am achieving),” she shared.

Meanwhile, after years of overcoming criticisms, Zamboanga-native Danganan shared how she feels about playing on a higher level while representing FEU in a larger venue, like the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

“I feel honored kasi nakapaglaro ako sa UAAP dahil kahit maraming nagsasabi na mahihirapan ako sa Manila dahil babae ako, napatunayan ko naman na ‘yung babae na ‘yon ang mag-uuwi ng medalya at gagawa ng pangalan sa larangan ng UAAP (I feel honored because I got to play in the UAAP because even if a lot of people told me that it would be hard for me here in Manila because I am a girl, I proved to them that this girl is going to bring home the medal and make her name in the UAAP),” she stated.

Similarly, Lady Trackster Magtubo highlighted how competing in the UAAP both came as an honor and a challenge as a woman in track and field.

“It’s a platform where I can showcase my hard work and dedication. It also means carrying the pride of my school and showing that female athletes deserve just as much recognition as male athletes,” she said.

Lady Woodpusher Derotas further highlighted the underrepresentation of women in chess, where men significantly outnumber female players.

“I feel like it needs to be advocated more—ipaalam pa na pwedeng maglaro ang mga babae. Kasi ‘pag mas maraming naglalaro, mas dadami ang opportunities,” she emphasized.

Whether these women have been empowered by other people or all by themselves in playing their best games, one thing is for sure: their realities are defined by who they are inside the court, in the field, or in the arena—and not by the constraints or biases by society.

Deciding the future

As more girls step into sports that defy traditional expectations, the hope is that they will continue to break barriers and redefine what it means to be a female athlete. FEU’s female athletes serve as inspirations, proving that strength is not just about physicality—it is also about courage, resilience, and passion.

Encouraging young female players to take up chess, Derotas emphasized how the sport not only sharpens the mind but also builds discipline.

“It pushes you to become emotionally strong and mentally tough. Something that you can apply even in your daily life,” she shared.

Looking ahead, she and her teammates hope to see more female players play chess and thrive in the sport, emphasizing the importance of fostering growth and strength among aspiring players.

“We would like to invite more chess players to try out, especially female chess players, kasi onti lang talaga kami. We want to help more female chess players become better and strong chess players,” she added.

For Magtubo, her message to aspiring female athletes includes fueling the mind with love for the sport. 

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not strong enough or capable enough. If you love the sport, give it your all. Stay dedicated, work hard, and don’t be afraid to take up space. You belong in this fueled just as much as anyone else.”

Meanwhile, Danganan hopes to inspire future generations of female athletes beyond their respective sports.

“I hope to inspire young women to believe in their own potential, not just in their respective sports, but in all aspects of life,” she said.

As time goes by, more and more girls are becoming braver in pursuing sports that prove their capabilities beyond physical strength and gender roles. With these Lady Tamaraws leading the way for younger generations, sports can soon become a podium for courageous women.

(Photos courtesy of Edna Magtubo, Czarina Danganan, Saki Shots, and the UAAP Media Team)