What makes a Filipino? Phillips, Van Sickle stay proud of Pinoy blood despite racist comments
MANILA, Philippines – Throughout the Petro Gazz Angels’ captivating rise to a breakthrough PVL All-Filipino championship at the expense of the Creamline Cool Smashers dynasty, two players stood head and shoulders above the rest: Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips.
The Fil-Am standouts were relentless in their offensive and defensive mettle, offering practically no weaknesses as they led the hard-earned dismantling of 10-time PVL champion Creamline side once on the cusp of a conference title five-peat.
Though the pair’s desire to play, win, and help develop volleyball on this side of the world instead of the United States is an admirable undertaking, they were still subjected to discriminatory side comments, especially throughout the finals, due to their half-blood lineage while playing in the All-Filipino tourney.
Phillips and Van Sickle, however, took the racist attacks in stride, saying that all that matters is they are playing for their family, their teammates, and the Philippine flag.
“I try to ignore the comments. Everything is for my mom and my lola [who] passed away. Every time I look at the flag and I think of the Philippines, it’s all for my lola. May she rest in peace,” said Phillips, the newly crowned All-Filipino Finals MVP who has roots in Zambales.
“It is what it is, and I’m here, and I want to represent the Philippines. I am Filipino. I do have a passport, and I got it on my own. But it’s okay,” said Van Sickle, now a back-to-back All-Filipino Conference MVP.
“I don’t expect people to be open arms with us. I understand how they feel, and I just hope that one day that they’ll embrace us and just accept us. I don’t feel any hatred towards them.”
Van Sickle, hailing from San Emilio, Ilocos Sur, even revealed that her federation shift from the United States to the Philippines is in its final stages, reaffirming her commitment to play for her mother’s homeland and represent Alas Pilipinas.
“I just want to be able to play volleyball, the sport I love, and continue to immerse myself in this culture, our culture. I did have years back in the States where I missed out on this, and I’m really grateful to be here now and experiencing it now,” she continued.
“I think it’s just a part of the journey, what God had for me, for us. So I think, just hopefully one day, they will all love each other, and we’ll be okay.”
Through the discrimination on their own home soil, Phillips and Van Sickle continue to power through, always remembering what really matters in their career and cultural pursuits.
Despite the hate, they are Filipinos through and through, and PVL All-Filipino champions. No one can ever take that away from them. – Rappler.com