Sporting greatness, academic excellence, and exemplary off-court demeanor — these are the standards set by National University for a student-athlete to have their legacy immortalized as a Bulldog.
From the moment she walked into the four corners of Jhocson as a 15-year-old dreamer from Quezon City, Lady Bulldogs legend Bella Belen embodied these values throughout her 11-year journey with NU. That path led her to become the first student-athlete in school history to have her iconic No. 4 jersey retired — never to be worn again.
She now joins the elite company of FEU’s No. 3 Rachel Daquis and La Salle’s No. 14 Manilla Santos-Ng as the only UAAP women’s volleyball players whose jersey numbers hang proudly in the rafters.
Belen’s perseverance, hard work, and unwavering dedication cemented her status as the greatest NU women’s volleyball player of all time. But for the 23-year-old outside hitter, the story of how “Bella Belen” became “Bella Belen” is rooted in the people who guided her.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Isa sila [yung mga coaches] sa mga naging dahilan ko kung nasaan man ako ngayon. Kumbaga, talagang tinulungan nila ako makamit ‘yung goals ko as a player and as an individual,” Belen said during her jersey retirement ceremony at NU’s Pep Rally for Season 88 last Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay.
“I’m very happy kasi dahil sa kanila, sobrang laki na ng program and marami na sumusupporta sa amin and sa NU.”
With the guidance of her former coaches Babes Castillo, Karl Dimaculangan, Norman Miguel, and Sherwin Meneses, the No. 1 pick of the 2025 PVL Draft rose to the summit of UAAP volleyball.
Their collective efforts helped Belen close her chapter with NU after more than a decade of service, collecting eight UAAP titles and five MVPs — achievements that ensured her place in the annals of history and immortality.
Her accolades alone already speak volumes, but what truly sets Belen apart from other NU greats was her discipline and no-quit mentality despite countless challenges along the way, Castillo emphasized.
That mentality was evident as early as high school, when she rewrote NU’s history by leading the Nazareth School Lady Bullpups to six finals appearances from Season 77 to 82, winning five titles and two MVP awards.
“Napakatibay ng bata na yan, napakasipag — kahit marami na siyang karangalan at tagumpay, hindi niya ‘yon pinapasok sa utak niya. At yung pinakaimportante talaga sa akin ay yung pagiging mabiyaya niya,” Castillo, her high school coach, shared.
“Lahat ng tagumpay niya sa National University at sa buong Pilipinas, magsisilbing inspirasyon siya sa napakaraming kabataan. Jersey no. 4 will never be worn again by anyone but you, and you deserve it.”
For former NU coaches Dimaculangan and Miguel, Belen’s legacy transcends titles and awards — it is one that will inspire generations of Lady Bulldogs and student-athletes to come.
The Capital1 rookie capped her collegiate career with three UAAP championships and an unprecedented three consecutive MVPs, joining FEU icon Ailyn Ege and Ateneo legend Alyssa Valdez in an exclusive club.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Sobrang nakaka-proud yung legacy na maiiwan mo sa NU, lalo na sa next generation, mapa-women’s or girls’ volleyball. Isa kang inspiration para mapush yung team this season at sa susunod pa,” said Dimaculangan, her coach in Seasons 84 and 85.
“I’m sure hindi makakalimutan yung legacy na naiwan mo diyan sa NU women’s volleyball team. Alam mo naman na maraming nag-iidolize sayo pamamarisan lahat ng magandang napakita mo para sa school and sa buong volleyball community,” added Miguel, her coach in Season 86.
