Manila Ice Vixens in Philippine Daily Inquirer '01/20/08
(Visited 665 times)The Manila Ice Vixens were featured in Philippine Daily Inquirer last January 17, 2008. Read the rest of the story by Ms. Jasmine Payo.
INQUIRER SPORTS
They speak softly and carry a big stickJanuary 17, 2008
Updated 05:52:50 (Mla time)
Jasmine W. Payo
Philippine Daily InquirerMANILA, Philippines — The way they were hustling and jostling on the ice rink, you’d never expect lithe, willowy ladies to emerge from under the thick and heavy ice hockey apparel.
“People are actually surprised that on ice we’re tough,” said wing defender Kae Lin Santiago of the Manila Ice Vixens. “Maybe because afterwards everyone’s putting on makeup and wearing skirts.”
For the Ice Vixens, the only women’s ice hockey club team in the country, overcoming skepticism has been part of the game.
“In other countries, most of the women hockey players are boyish; but here, they’re surprised that everyone’s girly,” said forward Jhoana Benedicto.
“People always think we’re figure skaters,” noted Sharm Miguel, who also plays forward.
It is a misconception other teams pay dearly for.
“Sometimes they just underestimate us,” alternate captain Aurora de los Reyes added. “One time we had a tournament, and people were like ‘Oh, figure skaters.’ But we played hard and we won. The score was like 5-0. We won all games.”
Although most of the Vixens did start with figure skating, the strength and stamina they developed from early ice training made them more equipped to play hockey.
“If you’re not really good at skating, it will be hard for you to keep on running back and forth,” said Santiago. “It’s like playing basketball but with ice skates on. It’s really difficult to maneuver.”
Difficult and bruising, too.
“You really need guts to play,” noted Benedicto. “If you’re always scared to fall, it will be hard for you to learn ice hockey. You have to be tough, because everyone else will be tough on you.”
Even if the sport seems to involve more body bumping than strategy, the Vixens said a player’s quick feet must come with a quick mind.
“It’s about endurance and mind power,” said de los Reyes. “You also have to think when to pass or shoot.”
While other women’s club teams have folded for various reasons, the Vixens have managed to keep their team together since 2001.
“We’ve always loved the ice; that’s the reason we’re all here in the first place,” said Santiago.
In fact, some team members started out on pure love for ice and little else. Louann Cortez, the Vixens captain, cited her own experience.
“I had no sport, zero,” shared the 26-year-old Cortez , who only learned how to skate after college.
“I just passed by the skating rink one summer and I thought I might enjoy it. When I started training, it was very hard. At the start, I thought of quitting. So you really have to be determined.”
The Vixens’ current 18-player roster is formed around players of all shapes, sizes, ages — from 13-year-old Denzel Dominique Que to 30-year-old Miguel — schools and career backgrounds.
“You’re not supposed to be afraid to try it out at whatever age,” said Benedicto. “You just have to practice.”
The Vixens assured, too, that it’s all right to get cold feet.
“I still get scared,” said Cortez. “I already got hit by a stick during the competition, but you just continue.”
Financial sacrifice, however, is necessary for a sport still growing in the country. Aside from buying their own gear, the Vixens also shell out their own money just to compete in club competitions in Macau, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
“We want to build a solid foundation for women’s ice hockey,” said Santiago.
“I think we’re doing good internationally for a new sport,” noted Miguel. “We don’t even have snow here. But there’s the excitement, we enjoy it a lot.”
*End
For inquiries or sponsorship:
Mobile: +63.922.7737367 (Sharm)
Email: sharmskee@yahoo.com
YM ID: sharmskee
URL: www.freewebs.com/manilaicevixens | www.sharmskee.com
*Coming up blog.. Radio interview on WAVE 89.1 Sports News by Anthony Suntay
- Posted in : wicked, my sports, my hockey, Manila Ice Vixens
- Author : sharm
Comments»
All i can say is… COOL!! And I mean that literally and figuratively, hehe.
Make us proud, Vixens!
Thanks Joni. Will keep you posted. Go Ice Vixens!!!
Yay! Go Vixens, go girly! Whoa, you’ve commented on Inquirer!
Yea! Girl power lol.. Thanks Ying!
wow, celebrity vixens! ahoooo!!!!
ey, marc showed this to everyone at the office, i think i can get the team featured in cosmopolitan, up for it?
thanks, gino! vixens.. awooooo!! :p
hey alvin! really??? omg! definitely… we’re up for it!
Hey sharm, miss you and marc! I’ll be rooting for your team during your next game, whenever that is.
hi ms elle! how are you? we miss you too. when are we sailing again? anyways, we have drills and scrimmage every saturday at 10:30pm till 12:30am. drop by megamall if you’re free. see you soon! =)
Havent sailed for more than a year na. Dragonboat rowing naman
kaya lang, 530am every tuesday/thursday and 7am on saturday/sunday. I wanted to drop by last Saturday but my body got sore from a race that morning. This saturday na lang, after watching a movie. Ingatz!
I see. Cool! I wanted to try rowing din before pero hindi natuloy hehe.. Sure! Hope to see you this sat.