CANDON, Ilocos Sur – Brooke Van Sickle has come a long way from spending most of her life in the United States to now embracing the Philippines as home — something she continues to appreciate even more during the 2026 Volleyball All-Star Showcase.
“Yeah, I’m really happy, you know, super grateful to be able to just go around Ilocos Sur a little bit more in the Candon area, just to be able to see the area more than when we would come with PVL for games,” said the Nxled star, who hails from nearby San Emilio.
“It’s a little hard to fit in extracurricular activities. So it’s been really exciting and really fun to be able to plant the trees, just see the Eco Park a lot. It’s really beautiful out here. So just all good experiences.”
Beyond the off-court activities here, the three-time league MVP admitted she is also embracing a new kind of challenge — her first-ever All-Star appearance — which she described as both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking.
But despite the initial nerves, Van Sickle said she is enjoying the opportunity to be around players from different teams in a more relaxed setting, seeing it as a chance to build connections beyond the usual rivalries.
She added that being part of the All-Star gathering allows her to interact more closely with her peers, making it easier to get to know them on a different level while sharing the court and experiences outside of competition.
“Yeah, I’m just really excited. I mean, I’m a little nervous. I don’t know what to expect because I’ve never been a part of any All-Star event like this before,” said Van Sickle, who is part of Team Hustle as a reserve. “So I’m just really excited to be surrounded by such good athletes and just wonderful people.
“It’s cool to get to know everybody slowly and everything. So yeah, I’m really excited just for good volleyball and I hope the fans enjoy it too and this is a good experience for everybody,” she added.
For Van Sickle, the return to Ilocos Sur also carried a personal touch, as she found herself reconnecting with a place that already holds meaning.
“It still feels awesome. Like, I know the first time I was here, it was just trying to grasp like, oh, I’m finally here,” she said, having previously played in Candon during the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.
“It feels right. It’s really good to be out of the city. I’m not really a city girl. I’m more like a province, nature girl.”
She also looked forward to sharing the moment with family in attendance.
“They’re going to come to the game tomorrow. So I’m really excited to spend time with them and just get to know Candon a little bit more.”
Now in her second year in the Philippines, Van Sickle said the experience has gradually deepened her sense of belonging, with the country slowly feeling more like home in ways she didn’t expect when she first arrived.
For her, events like the All-Star Showcase have played a key role in that transition — allowing her not only to compete, but to immerse herself more deeply in the culture, build genuine connections, and appreciate the people and places beyond volleyball.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously, coming to events like this is very helpful in my personal growth and everything and just, like, eye-opening for me. And obviously, anything I go to is always a wonderful experience, and I’m really grateful to be here. And yeah, it’s slowly, it’s been a really great experience these past two years,” said Van Sickle.
“And I’m finally, like, coming to a place where I’m, like, this is home for me. Like, it’s, like, I get it, like, okay, I’m from Hawaii and everything, but I see this as home. Like, okay, like, that’s, like, vacation for me now is going to Hawaii. So, like, it’s really great to be here and just, you know, I’m loving life and just super grateful for everything and just, yeah, I’m just super happy all the time. Yeah.”
