ANTIPOLO – Just when the weight of the world feels unbearable, life has a way of unveiling a spark — sometimes in the most unexpected places — that rekindles the will to keep moving forward.
For Justine Grace Fronda, a 26-year-old teacher from Zamboanga, life had become an uphill battle. But just when she was on the verge of giving up, an unexpected source of inspiration lit a path forward, reigniting her strength to carry on.
“Watching Brooke, she’s the best player I’ve ever seen,” said Fronda, referring to Petro Gazz star Brooke Van Sickle.
“Because April 2024 happened,” she said, recalling the first time she watched Van Sickle play. “That was also the turning point in my life, where I was finally able to see some light.
“Something changed that day. I was able to patch things up, resolve some conflicts in my life, and, for the first time in a while, I was able to smile again — genuinely smile — because of her.”
With life’s struggles continuing to pile up, Fronda had reached the point where she was ready to surrender.
The exhaustion and self-doubt had become overwhelming, and she had already told her mother she planned to quit her job and studies.
But watching Van Sickle play with passion and resilience ignited something within her, making her reconsider the path she was about to abandon.
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“I have been struggling emotionally — with my face, with my body, and especially with my career status. Everything was going downhill, and I didn’t know how to pick myself up,” Fronda admitted.
“But when I saw her smiling on screen, when I saw her thriving, giving her best, I realized I didn’t just want to survive — I wanted to truly live. And she gave me that kind of hope. Every time I support her and the Petro Gazz Angels, I start to feel that hope again.”
Fronda recalled the moment she was about to give up: “I told my mother I would quit my job. I wasn’t going to continue my thesis because I was so fed up with everything. But every time she smiles on screen, it’s like she’s telling me, ‘Girl, you can do it. You can make a difference. Just try your best because I’m here, motivating you through my game’.”
As a proud member of Van Sickle’s fan club, the ‘Brooke Van Guardians’ — also known as the Brookies — Fronda traveled all the way from Zamboanga with fellow Petro Gazz fans to watch their idol play on her birthday at the Ynares Centre here.
Dressed in full fan gear — including Van Sickle’s signature braids and leg sleeves — Fronda watched as the Angels dominated ZUS Coffee in straight sets, 25-19, 25-13, 28-26, to keep their campaign alive in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
After the match, she had the opportunity to meet Van Sickle in person, presenting her with gifts and flowers as a token of gratitude. The brief but meaningful interaction made the long journey worthwhile for the devoted fan.
It was Fronda’s second time meeting Van Sickle, having previously watched one of the Angels’ games live last November.
“I became a fan on April 24, 2024, because I watched the Petro Gazz Angels play. That game was so iconic because it was the first time I saw her. She’s unforgettable — her presence alone on the court is explosive, and she’s incredibly talented,” Fronda said after the emotional moment.
“Her volleyball IQ is insane. That’s why I became a fan. And I just want to tell everyone who is watching this now that she saved me from the darkest moments of my life in 2024 — she’s my hero. I’m not just saying this because I’m her biggest fan. I’m saying this from the bottom of my heart. I am immensely grateful for her life, for her existence, and on her birthday, we are celebrating her. We are celebrating her life.”
#WATCH: Brooke Van Sickle got the sweetest birthday surprise as she met Justine Grace “Little Brooke” Fronda, a devoted fan who traveled all the way from Zamboanga just to see her idol
@jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#PVL2025 pic.twitter.com/kwrQuySTbF
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 22, 2025
