By Joshua Kyle Beltran

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw lead tactician Tina Salak savored her journey in making a difference as a female coach. 

“I’m very lucky; hindi naman lucky, pero siguro pinagtrabahuhan ko nang maigi. It’s more on kung paano natin i-drive—very driven ako and passionate ako, kasi mahal ko ‘to, eh (I’m very lucky, but I also worked hard for this. What matters here is how we drive ourselves, I’m passionate because I love what I do),” she said in a post-game conference of their International Women’s Day win over the University of the Philippines earlier today.

Following the said victory, the FEU lead tactician spoke on how impactful a woman’s positive influence and reinforcement is in transforming the sports landscape. 

Being one of few female coaches in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, Salak acknowledged the struggle of female athletes both within and outside of playing sports.

“I’m very thankful with FEU, the community also, sa pagtanggap din sa akin… Malaking factor din kasi sa amin, sa women's volleyball, especially ‘yung mga national team players na nag-represent before na hindi sila nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na ma-continue ‘yung passion nila with sports (I’m grateful to FEU and the community for taking me in. It is still a big factor, especially for the former national team players who did not have an opportunity to continue their passion for sports),” she remarked.

Humility at its core

In a rather poetic manner, Salak, who is also the head coach of the Akari Chargers in the Philippine Volleyball League, simultaneously celebrated both teams’ third straight wins in the span of 24 hours. 

Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraw-Akari lead tactician admitted that balancing both feats is not something she can do by herself and commended her fellow coaching staff in helping ease the task.

“‘Di ko kaya lahat i-shoulder ‘yung responsibility na ‘yun. Hindi ko puwedeng iwan ‘yung mga coaches na, ako lang ‘yung nagte-take ng credit. I always say na I have a good team, with the coaches I have right now, sa Akari rin also (I cannot shoulder all of those responsibilities. I cannot also take all the credit. I have a good team, with the coaches, both in FEU and in Akari),” she said.

Salak then described the opportunity of working with like-minded people as a ‘blessing.’

“Blessing ‘yun for me, na maka-work together with one system na nag-a-agree lahat. ‘Yung openness kasi, very, ‘yun nga, transparent. May mga times na hindi ko alam, alam nila…. Hindi ko puwede i-invalidate ‘yung mga sinasabi nila because nasa team sila (It’s a blessing, to be able to work within a system who reinforces one another. It is so transparent. There are times in which I admit I need help. I cannot invalidate what they say because we are on the same team),” she shared. 

Giving her fellow coaches their flowers, Salak emphasized how such success is not achieved on her own. 

“Malaking respeto ko sa mga coaches na kasama ko, sa lahat ng wins namin—even in Akari, even in FEU. Sila talaga nagma-matter no’n. Not just me (I have huge respect for my fellow coaches, both in Akari and FEU. They make it matter),” she emphasized.

For the green-and-gold head coach, female representation in sports is a privilege—one rooted in humility, passion, and something she hopes can inspire and beyond.
(Photo by James Neil Tamayo/FEU Advocate)