MANILA, Philippines – Juggling the tasks of being a new mother of a baby boy just a little over a year old and playing competitive volleyball is as daunting a challenge as it sounds.
Such is the current life of former Ateneo Lady Eagle and “Fab Five” member Fille Cainglet-Cayetano, who, after graduating from Ateneo de Manila University in 2013, married Taguig City congressman Lino Cayetano in December of the same year, and then gave birth to the couple’s first child – Ino Philip Cayetano – the following year.
In October 2014, Cainglet-Cayetano returned to volleyball action just 5 months after giving birth by suiting up for Petron in that season’s Philippine Superliga Grand Prix, playing a role in helping them win the conference championship.
“I wanted to play right away,” Cainglet-Cayetano told Rappler about what she felt like after giving birth. “Like, 5 weeks after I was cleared sa C-section ko, nag ru-run na ako (I was running), nag ba-ball handling (I was ball-handling). I wanted to get back.”
Cayetano scored two points in her return contest against Generika, which Petron won in 4 sets.
“Syempre (of course), I was so nervous. I gained so much weight, I had to lose it, I worked hard, trained every day. I really worked out, pero (but) I never [did] diet. I just learned how to eat healthy. That’s better.”
Cainglet-Cayetano also helped Petron win another PSL title in the recently concluded All-Filipino conference, where they swept the Shopinas.com Lady Clickers in two games.
The former Ateneo standout is now currently participating in the 2015 Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball competition, where she and partner Filipino-American Alexa Micek fell to Bea Tan and Pau Soriano during last Saturday’s first day of action, 21-19, 21-14.
“It’s so nice,” said Cainglet-Cayetano, who also played beach volleyball player in college. “Parang ma-enjoy siya kasi kayong dalawa lang, and diskarte mo talaga and I think it’s a new way to play din. Adjust to your plays, adjust to your movements, so masaya siya.”
(You’ll enjoy it because it’s only the two of you, and it’s on you guys to win, and it’s a new way to play as well. Adjust to your plays, adjust to your movements, so it’s fun.)
The 25-year-old mother and athlete says that volleyball also inspires those who play it to learn more discipline, not only during games, but off the court as well.
“I think character-building din (as well),” she said. “I think maganda siya – yung volleyball – maganda siyang character-building kasi you can use it outside eh. Like you get things done, discipline din talaga.”
(I think volleyball is good for character building because you can use it outside. You get things done and it teaches discipline.)
But playing the game – along with her other responsibilities – requires motivation for the extra kick to keep working hard. It’s an issue many athletes face, but not Cainglet-Cayetano, who says she finds those qualities in the form of her family.
“I think it’s better,” she said about how her life has changed since getting married and giving birth, “cause I have motivation na to play hard, to work hard for my baby, for my husband, for my family.”
“I think yun yung motivation keeps me going talaga. So pag uwi ko, kahit pagod, may asawa ako mag he-heat nang hot pack, may ice pack ako, te-text ko lang siya, ‘Gusto ko nang masahe,’ ayun. Sobrang alaga ako.”
(I think it’s the motivation that keeps me going. So when I get home, even if I’m tired, I have a husband who will heat a hot pack, prepare an ice pack, and I just have to text him, “I want a massage.” I’m really well taken care of.)
“And for my baby,” added the volleyball star, “sobrang sarap na umuwi na may nakaabang [for you].”
(It’s great to go home with someone waiting for you.)
Even if it means getting up during the harsh hours of the morning when he wakes up or cries? “Yes,” she said automatically.
“Syempre, yeah, priority ko sila, and I think supportive naman sila,” Cainglet-Cayetano said. “Nino supports me a hundred percent. He supports my dreams, he makes me chase my dreams din, and ganon din ako sakanya.”
(Of course, they’re my priority, and I think they’re supportive. Nino supports me a hundred percent. He supports my dreams, he makes me chase my dreams, and I’m the same with him as well.)
– Rappler.com
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.