Philippine Volcanoes spew fire

Hong Kong News reported last week that our own Philippine Volcanoes will join the world renowned Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2012. This is the first time for the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), better known as Volcanoes, to participate in the event where 120,000 live spectators are expected in the iconic Hong Kong Stadium from March 23 to 25. The Volcanoes will compete in Pool E versus Canada, Spain, and Zimbabwe.

While undoubtedly more Filipinos learned about the spectacular athletes when their Bench billboards were brought down last July, the team has been racking one accomplishment after another in the rugby world. The Volcanoes finished fourth place in the inaugural HSBC Asian Sevens Series last year. They also bagged the silver medal in the Borneo 7s in September, earning them the invitation this year to the Hong Kong Sevens.

Something rare happened on Valentine’s Day, as seven Volcanoes were in the gym together the whole afternoon. Fortunately, my firstborn Alexandra was more than happy to ask them a few questions using the voice recorder that I always keep in my bag (which still contains some interviews waiting to be transcribed).

Let me focus on just two right now: team captain Fil-Australian Jake Robrigado Letts, and Fil-American Kenneth Capinpin Stern. Both were, of course, part of the still-talked-about billboard.

 Born March 16, 1988, Jake stands 5’10” and weighs 160 pounds. He told Philippine STAR columnist Jay Abalos in an interview late last year that he considers himself Filipino for loving chicken adobo, his good nature, and his love for his heritage. He is a proud Filipino and is inspired by the lives of his Pinoy relatives. He is not only busy as team captain but also with work and studies (he is taking up his master’s in management at the University of Technology in Sydney).

 Born May 21, only a few months after Jake, Ken must have granted more personal interviews than Jake who focuses more on the sports and the team. We gathered more info on him such as his showbiz crushes (Anne Curtis and KC Concepcion). He grew up in Connecticut with a sister, Elizabeth, herself a multi-awarded figure skater (with Philippine Figure Skating Team from 2008 to 2010). He graduated from Boston University in 2010 and is now pursuing a master’s degree in Australia.

“Ever since that came out, people have really noticed rugby. People learned about rugby just because of these billboards,” Ken told ABS-CBN News in reaction to the billboard ban. He added he is willing to do everything to develop rugby in the country.

Ken was chosen by Cosmo Philippines as their December 2011 bachelor, but it was mother publication Cosmopolitan USA which featured him as one of the hottest bachelors in the USA in its 51 states. He represented Connecticut where he grew up.

I am sure that the fire of Filipino pride burning in the hearts of Kenny and Elizabeth, both fully raised in the USA but both competing for the Philippines, came from their late mother Marlene who was the chair of the Connecticut chapter of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA).

Marlene was tireless in bringing together numerous Filipino-American associations and implementing youth leadership programs and camps to help young Fil-Ams learn more about Philippine culture and heritage.

PHILIPPINE STAR: What was your first sport?

Philippine Volcanoes team captain Fil-Australian Jake Robrigado Letts: Most of the boys go to the gym on their own. Others go to the field and do speed training.

JAKE LETTS: Rugby was mine. I think it was my first sport.  I started when I was six years old. I am 23 so that’s 17 years of rugby.

KEN STERN: I grew up in the States, so I have been playing hockey since I was little. I have played hockey all through my life, then American football. Third is rugby.

How long have you been with the Volcanoes?

JAKE: I’ve been playing since I was 17. Right out of high school. That’s six years.

KEN: I have been with them since 2008. So that’s about four years.

How do you train? Are there exercises you do on your own?

JAKE: We have team training two to three times a week. It’s sort of a prerequisite to do individual training. It could be going to the gym or running. The more you train, the better you get.

KEN: We do a lot of cardio, a lot of weight training, a lot of weight sports equipment. Rugby is a long game so we need to be very fit. We need to do everything more high powered, high speed.

What other exercises do you do on your own?

JAKE: Most of the boys go to the gym on their own. Others go to the field and do speed training, endurance training, and also plyometrics.

KEN: We do a lot of squatting and bench presses. Power swings.

Any particular diet you follow?

JAKE: We eat healthy food.

KEN: I’m trying to eat healthy. And be active all day.

Any craving or food you succumb to on cheat days?

JAKE: I have always been a chocoholic. I ate a lot of it while growing up. I always eat chocolate. I personally try not to eat a lot of it. We still eat lollies before games. We are actually encouraged because it keeps our sugar levels up.

The fired-up Volcanoes are asking for your prayers and support. Go Philippines. Go Volcanoes!

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Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph or mylenedayrit@gmail.com