BELLA Belen was in a league of her own in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, as she won her third MVP award for National U in landslide fashion.
READ: Bella Belen to be named UAAP MVP for the third time in four years
Not known to many, however, was that the UAAP wasn’t even supposed to be her league in the first place.
In fact, she was almost forced out of playing volleyball altogether.
Belen walked down memory lane with SPIN.ph to recall how her father Ramil was once adamantly against her dream to pursue a career in volleyball.
It was some time around seventh grade, just as the Lady Bulldogs captain made the move from Lucas R. Pascual Elementary School to NU-Nazareth School (NUNS), where the first cracks of such a filial conflict surfaced.
Funny thing is, she couldn’t even remember how or why.
So in true Bella fashion, she made a jestful recollection instead.
“Before kasi, ayaw ako paglaruin [ni daddy] ng volleyball. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. Nalimutan ko na,” the generational talent said.
“Siguro kasi, ayaw magasgasan yung skin ko. Charot!”
Fighting for her way
What made it harder for Belen to understand where her father was coming from was the fact that volleyball has long ran in the family’s bloodline.
One of her uncles, for instance, played in the NCAA back in the day forSan Sebastian under a former National U coach in Roger Gorayeb.
And todaay, the blue-and-gold ace's sister Ghenievib, whom she calls ‘Bubay,’ currently plays for the Lady Bullpups as a libero.
Fortunately, she found a ‘teammate’ in her grandmother who’d help her leave the house just before dawn to play volleyball without her father knowing.
“‘Yung lola ko yung naghahatid sa akin [sa school]. Every morning, once na marinig ko yung C.R. ng morning, alam kong siya na yun, so ako, lalabas na ako," Belen shared, adding how her grandmother believed in her volleyball aspirations just as much as she did.
“Tatakbo na ako sa bahay ng lola ko, so itatakas niya na ako, then bahala na raw siyang makipag-away kay daddy.”
A family affair for the better
It was a tug-of-war that ran for months - and maybe even close to years.
But as the NU ace puts it, “nagbunga naman ‘yung paghatid-hatid sa akin ng lola ko sa school, sa training.”
When Belen received her second MVP award this time last year, she recalled to SPIN.ph how her family’s constant support and presence during her games lifted her up in times of struggle and defeat.
And Bella herself would be the first to acknowledge how a shaky and dimming past propelled her ascent at present — one that points vividly to a much steadier and brighter future.
“Naging malaking challenge kasi siyempre, yung father mo, hindi ka pinapayagan. May nasabi siya sa akin kung bakit. Hindi ko na po talaga matandaan,” Belen said.
“Pero ngayon naman, super supportive na po niya. Actually, lahat naman sila, ‘yung buong family ko, super supportive. Tina-try talaga nila manood every game.”
It was always meant to be
Even as Belen treaded an emotional whirlwind at a young age where she had to fight for her dream, and practically for what she envisioned her life would be at that point, it was a test she felt she needed to pass.
And so she did, with her head held high and not one bit of regret on how her journey ran its course.
What was once a dream tarnished with traces of rust is about to end with the brightest touch of gold for herself, her school, and her family who fought with and for her as one of the modern-day faces of Philippine volleyball.
“I'm very happy talaga na hindi ako tumigil. Hindi ako nagsawa sa gusto ko,” she said.
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