WHEN Bella Belen first set foot as a student-athlete in Sampaloc 11 years ago, it was multi-titled juniors coach Babes Castillo at the helm of NU-Nazareth School’s dynastic girls’ volleyball squad.
And among the many stars who have come and gone in his program was Belen, who began with them as a 13-year-old.
READ: How Bella Belen took the news of jersey retirement with NU
Little did Castillo - and National U - know at the time that he had under his wing the school’s first-ever jersey retiree and arguably the most valuable player to don the blue-and-gold.
Fast forward to eight titles, five MVP awards, and her moment of unprecedented immortalization atop the school’s rafters, Castillo sent a heartfelt message to Belen that was shown as a surprise during her jersey retirement ceremony.
The champion coach couldn’t be prouder to see his ‘Belen na makulit’ back then become a beacon of inspiration and a firm foundation for the future of Philippine volleyball.
“Laging tumatak sa isip ko, matibay. Matibay na bata. Napakasipag at hard worker na kahit marami na siyang karangalan, hindi niya ‘yun pinapasok sa ulo niya. Si Belen pa rin siya, si Belen na makulit,” Castillo said.
“Ang pinaka-importante talaga sa’kin, ‘yung biyaya niya at ‘yung karangalan na ibinigay niya sa National University at sa buong Pilipinas. Binigyan niya ng inspirasyon ang napakaraming kabataan.
“So Belen, congratulations. Jersey number 4 will never belong to anyone but you. You deserve it.”
'Isa kang inspiration'
The next two champion coaches after Castillo in the college ranks in Season 84 champion Karl Dimaculangan and Season 86 champion Norman Miguel also took time to congratulate Belen on her historic feat.
“Hi Bel, congratulations on this another milestone. Sobrang mahalaga ng legacy ng iiwan mo sa NU lalo na sa next generation ng women’s and men’s volleyball. Isa kang inspiration para ma-push yung team this season at sa mga susunod pa,” Dimaculangan said.
“Hi Bel, congratulations. I’m sure hindi makakalimutan yung legacy na iniwan mo diyan sa NU women’s volleyball team. Alam mo naman na maraming nag-iidolize sayo sa lahat ng mga naipakita at nadala mo para sa school at sa buong volleyball community,” Miguel added.
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