For Bella Belen, Tuesday night’s opening ceremony of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games was more than just a parade — it was a trip down memory lane.
Wearing a world-class Avel Bacudio-styled “Laro ng Lahi” barong tagalog for the first time since her school days, the 23-year-old Alas Pilipinas star felt the weight of tradition and the pride of representing her country on a bigger stage.
“Nag-Palarong Pambansa po ako noong elementary and then noong high school,” Belen said.
“Parang sobrang nostalgic siya for me, pero siyempre mas mataas ito kasi SEA Games so parang very throwback din since naka-barong and everything.
“Iba pa rin ngayon and since first time ko pong mag-SEA Games, iba ang feeling na nire-represent ang country natin. Hopefully, makapag-podium this SEA Games,” she added.
The 5-foot-7 spiker, making her SEA Games debut, spoke moments before Team Philippines joined the traditional parade of athletes at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.
When asked about their medal prospects under coach Jorge de Brito, the three-time UAAP MVP and three-time National University champion flashed her trademark dimpled smile, confident her team has what it takes.
“Siyempre, we’re aiming for the gold. Lahat naman po siguro talagang aim ay ang gold. Pero siyempre hindi magiging madali for us lalo na at iyon nga, hindi naman ganoon naging kahaba ang naging preparation po natin,” Belen said.
“Pero alam naman namin na ibibigay namin talaga ang best namin and hopefully, makapag-podium tayo.”
Belen was only three years old when the Philippines last stood on the SEA Games volleyball podium in 2005, capturing bronze on home soil. Legends like Thelma Barina-Rojas, Natalie Cruz, and Nene Ybañez-Chavez had previously powered the team to glory in the 1993 Games in Singapore — nine years before she was born.
Now playing for Capital1 in the PVL, Belen and the rest of the Alas Pilipinas women launch their title bid against hosts and 14-time reigning champions Thailand on Thursday at Indoor Stadium Huamark.
Armed with a winner’s mentality and a fighting heart, Belen looked radiant in her barong — and hopes to shine even brighter with a gold medal around her neck.
“Super ganda ng design. Very Filipino talaga and nakaka-proud magsuot ng ganito,” she said.
“We’re very excited din na kung paano kami magpe-perform this SEA Games. Sana maging maganda po ang outcome.”
