On March 21 at Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Taguig City, Rolling Stone Philippines gathered some of the country’s most iconic athletes for a panel discussion titled “The Spirit of Winning.”
In the panel are Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, pole vaulting sensation EJ Obiena, basketball sharpshooter Gabe Norwood, volleyball powerhouse Alyssa Valdez, and ice hockey forward Steven Füglister shared the stage. The athletes are united by their common ability to create moments that define the sports they play. The talk was a raw, unfiltered look at the harsh realities of sports — from the grueling waiting game of recovering from an injury to the physical and mental hurdles that come with their respective territories.
Moderated by Paolo Abrera, the talk focused on cultivating the right mindset and attitude. Abrera steered the conversation toward the profound realities behind the defining moments that have shaped these athletes’ careers. What emerged was a fascinating revelation: Many of the panelists were literally born into their sports, whether through family pastimes or cultural relevance. While basketball and volleyball dominate the Philippine sports scene, the inclusion of niche sports like ice hockey, pole vaulting, and weightlifting highlighted the diversity of athletic talent in the country.
This also afforded the audience a rare glimpse into the world of elite athletics, discussing the grit and grind of training, as well as the thrill of representing the Philippines on the international stage.
Within Your Control
Füglister, representing the Philippine Ice Hockey National Team, shared his mission to popularize a sport that’s as unconventional as it gets in a tropical country. “Not many people know that we have a Philippine Ice Hockey National Team,” he said. “So, for me, my main aim is to make it more popular and give Filipino kids who are really interested in the game a chance to get into it. We do amazingly well for a country that has zero winter, zero ice, zero snow.”
For Norwood, basketball has always been a part of his DNA. Growing up in an athletic family, Norwood was practically raised on the court. “The game was something that was taught to me, whether it was basketball, football, baseball, or soccer,” he said. “I played everything growing up and just fell in love with basketball.”
The conversation took a poignant turn when the athletes opened up about injuries and setbacks. Diaz shared how a moment of injury became a turning point in her career. “I learned to love weightlifting when I got injured,” she said. “Because when you lose in sports, like when you get injured, it’s all about your emotions. Obiena echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of discipline. “What’s the secret? You don’t. You just go up. You show up, and you do it. It’s discipline. I think we should value it more. It’s the same when you’re injured.”
Diaz, who is often singled out for her achievement as the first Filipino to secure an Olympic medal in 2020, was quick to credit her support system for her success. “When I’m the only one lifting, and all the people are there, the pressure is too high,” she said. “But behind that, there are people who support me. They’re there during the process. It’s like a team.”
Norwood reflected on the challenges of competing internationally, which he sees as a means to grow and learn. “That’s the fun part of playing internationally, competing in SEA [Southeast Asian] Games, Asian Games, just really always trying to level up,” he said. “You can always get better, and I think that’s the joy of any athlete. You always want to learn, you want to compete, learn new techniques… That’s the exciting part of any sport.”
The panel also delved into the quirky rituals that keep these athletes grounded. Obiena joked about his lucky socks, saying, “I just look at it, and it’s like, oh, it looks funny. Everything’s a little bit lighter now. I’m like, oh, this is a sport. This is not a life-or-death situation.” Valdez, on the other hand, shared her unorthodox pre-game ritual: “I would listen to really slow and sad songs,” she admitted. “Why? That’s sort of like the complete opposite of what I would expect. Because my excitement is too high, so I want to calm myself down. So your strategy is to sort of control your emotions, get yourself together.”
Diaz, a pragmatist, focused on what truly drives her to win. “When you’re in the thick of competition, you’re overthinking, there are intrusive thoughts that get in the way,” she said. “Control what you can control. If you can’t control the results, control what you can do. Do your best.”
