It was definitely a pleasure and an honor to have had the face of Philippine Volleyball, Alyssa Valdez, grace the cover of our April 2018 issue. In fact, it’s a bittersweet feeling for me to be writing about her last cover story for the month, as getting to know the Phenom Beauty converted me from a regular fan to a fan girl.
There’s so much more to Alyssa than what people normally see online. And it’s exactly this last part of our interview that I want our readers to remember her by—staying grounded despite her success, reiterating that hard work will always beat talent, and living our Alma Mater’s Jesuit motto of being a woman for others.
How often do you train now? Everyday?
Yeah! Still everyday. We train everyday, but not like in college where it was twice a day. So I make it a point to work out in the morning and then train in the afternoon, so I still have energy.
Is there a difference playing with an international team and a local team?
Of course! Whenever I go out (of the country), the first when I was in Thailand, I felt like I was back to zero. It happens every time. Even when I went to Taiwan. It’s so different. It’s not just adjusting inside the court, but also adjusting to their culture and everything. Because like I said—I’m not born to play volleyball. I’m not as talented as other players, so I really have to work harder compared to other people who were just born to play volleyball. So I make sure before I join the team, maybe for one month, I really prepare for the games.
And whenever they ask, “Where do you get your confidence?“, it’s through preparation. But whenever I go to other countries, I super feel like a rookie again where I don’t really know anything—which is such a humbling experience. When I’m here (in the Philippines), the pressure and the responsibility that I really have to perform and play well are always there. But there, I still have to perform well, but I also have a leeway to absorb the things that the coaches there teach me, which I really want because you really do learn different things from different coaches. I’m just really super blessed to have opportunities like those. It’s really different. I’m always back to zero and my confidence sort of gets crushed whenever I’m in another country because it’s like, “Who are you?!” But then again, when my confidence gets crushed and I feel like I’m back to zero, whenever I’m back in the Philippines, that’s what motivates me and helps me perform better.
With all the awards that you’ve won—youth, collegiate, club, is there anything else that you have yet to accomplish or that you’re trying to go for?
In sports? Well, definitely, as a player, I really want the Philippines to have a medal internationally. I think that’s one of my biggest dreams. To bring a win back home. Yun na lang eh! So hopefully. And given all the talented players right now, hopefully it’s possible.
Out of all the awards you’ve won, which one’s your favorite or the most memorable?
I think it’s the 1st ever championship of Ateneo. Well, I don’t really have to explain why but I think that’s one thing. After how many years, you go back to that moment and that feeling won’t really change.
What international team would you like to try playing for?
Oh em gee, oh em gee! You know, I really want to team up with Thai players, Nootsara and Pleumjit. I really want to play with them. And of course, KYK (Kim Yeon-koung). But they’re in different teams, because KYK is part of South Korea. But I think my height is more in line with the national team of Thailand. Hanggang doon lang eh. (laughs) If South Korea, my height would be up until their shoulders only. (laughs)
During stressful games or intense games, what keeps you calm?
Actually, meditation really helps. It helps us to compose ourselves during games. And I think if you know you’re prepared and you’re confident that you’re prepared, it’s much easier to compose yourself and to keep calm. It’s just like an exam! If you didn’t prepare for it, you’re like, “Oh my gosh! Time is up!” (laughs)
If you’re good but you’re not hardworking, you can’t be consistent. If you’re not so good and you’re also not hardworking, you can’t be a better version of yourself.
You really have to know your priorities because if not, you won’t be able to give your 100%. Giving your 100% means that you’re focused, and you can do well.
If you weren’t a professional volleyball player right now, what do you think your career track would have been?
They always ask me that but I think I’d be a teacher of little kids.
What advice can you give younger girls who wish to pursue being a professional volleyball player?
It’s going to be a loooong process. (laughs) They have to be patient. They really have to be patient because it doesn’t happen in just a snap. Most of us really started from scratch and just honed that given talent to be well at something and be good at it. And I guess most already know this, but it’s really hard work that beats talent. So if you’re good but you’re not hardworking, you can’t be consistent. If you’re not so good and you’re also not hardworking, you can’t be a better version of yourself. I think that’s it. They really have to believe in themselves and always, always pray and be thankful for all the blessings. And I’ll never, ever forget this but they really have to surround themselves with good people. Kahit konti lang yan! As long as they’re good and they mean well.
If there’s one value that you learned from playing volleyball that you can apply in life, what would it be?
You really have to be positive. I think if there’s one thing, you really have to stay positive no matter what. Life will bring you all these crazy things, but you have to stay composed. And have discipline also, especially now, because work is different. You really have to be disciplined. If you’re into sports, the littlest things, like picking up the ball after playing and keeping it in the ball cage—that will help develop your personality and attitude. And I think it’s really one of the things I always say—hard work. Because for me, I’m really not that good with certain things. Like this shoot that I’m doing, it’s really not what I do. I’m really a volleyball player. But if you put your passion and hard work into it, you can perform and be successful in the work that was given to you!
If given a chance, do you see yourself entering showbiz?
Cameo lang. Volleyball player. (laughs) As Alyssa Valdez. (laughs) Well, if given a chance, why not? Of course, I have a Plan A and a Plan B, but if given a chance, sure. But as of now, of course, it’s just volleyball. It’s hard to do two things at once. One thing I’ve learned also is you really have to know your priorities because if not, you won’t be able to give your 100%. Giving your 100% means that you’re focused, and you can do well.
If you put your passion and hard work into it, you can perform and be successful in the work that was given to you!
What’s next for Alyssa Valdez now that you’re playing volleyball professionally and you’ve played for the country?
Ang hirap naman niyan. Actually, hindi ko rin alam. (laughs)
Do you see yourself either representing volleyball in a different country or are you considering coaching or mentoring someday?
Honestly, I was super blessed to achieve my dreams—going out of the country, representing the Philippines, graduating in Ateneo. Like I couldn’t really ask for more. But I think, after achieving those dreams, you really have to set another goal, and to reach dreams again. So of course, my dreams get bigger and bigger, but my dream is to really represent the country and bring home medals for the country. But I’m getting older, so I don’t know. (laughs) I think that’s one of the dreams that I really want to achieve.
And well, playing for another team in another country would also be nice, and I’m really open to that. But my priority is to really play for the country and of course, I can’t really detach myself from volleyball. After how many years of playing, it’s inevitable that the body won’t be able to play volleyball forever, so I really hope I can share my knowledge about the sport to kids and start small camps that go around the country. It’s more of giving back really. After achieving most of my dreams, it’s time to give back and pay it forward because you really want all these kids to play internationally as well and represent the country!
Before saying goodbye to our April 2018 #CalyxtaGirl, be sure to read back on all her cover stories here:
Don’t forget to also check out our Fast Talk video as Alyssa answers who her favorite Ateneo basketball player is! Wink, wink!
Cover Story By: GRETCHEN GATAN
Art Direction: MARGAUX CORTEZ
Editorial Assistant: MAAN FERNANDEZ
Videographer: RICHARD WEBB
Photographer: CHARISMA LICO
Hair & Makeup: JEFF DE GUZMAN AND GRACE SALVADOR FOR #TEAMMURIELVEGAPEREZ
Stylist: REY ILAGAN, POY VILLAMONTE AND YZZA HABLADO
Special Thanks to: The 3rd Fitness Lab
