No glass ceiling

A week after the warm reception received by our new channel “Basketball Universe,” The Nest Studios embarks on another adventure. We want to acknowledge the prevalent, power and widespread success of Filipinas in sports. There has been a dramatic shift in attention, which now encompasses female participation in several sports that was not previously noticed. In the last 20 years, women, starting with volleyball, have taken over many mainstream sporting events. Thus was born “Women Who Win,” a new, thrice-weekly sports program about women, for women and by women.

Women have always shown excellence in Philippine sports dating back well more than half a century. In 1948, Filipino-American Victoria Manalo Draves won two gold medals in platform and springboard diving in the London Olympics. Forty years later, bowler, Arianne Cerdeña earned the gold medal in the Seoul Olympics, though it did not count in the medal standings. Finally, in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Hidilyn Diaz won gold medal that did count, and set two Olympic records in weightlifting.

But there is much more reason that it is time for a channel such as Women Who Win. Women’s volleyball has risen to such an extent that it has changed lives and given career opportunities to young athletes. Our national women’s football team continues to outstrip the men’s version, climbing to the highest level internationally. The Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) is run by women, for women hoopers, and is a glowing example that should be replicated by other sports leagues. Trailblazers abound in women’s sports. More than 20 years ago, Friday Camaclang became the first Filipino footballer, male or female, to play in Europe. A few years ago, Jack Animam was the first Filipino basketballer to play professionally in Europe and later in China. And just last week, Denice Zamboanga was formally hailed ONE atomweight MMA world champion after five years of trying.

Women Who Win is likewise headed by and run by women. The hard-working and talented Shiela Salaysay hosts and determines editorial content. A former volleyball player, Salaysay has earned her credibility doing sports and hard news for PTV 4. The Nest Studios’ experienced production manager Cha Bacolod runs the team, which is also composed of women, from camera to post-production. It is doubtful that any other such broadcast group exists.

Even advertisers recognize the significance of this new channel. Sista, a product of Asian Coatings, has jumped in to support the maiden season. Robinsons Department Store has likewise come in for the launch, lending its commercial might. A few other advertisers have also committed to supporting the channel, realizing the commercial power women in sports now have. Indeed, among the first women of power interviewed are Com. Haydee Ong of WMPBL, Karen Caballero of the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF), and Alenna Dawn, founder of Asia Padel Events and president of the Philippine Padel Association.

Each time this writer embarks on a new  broadcasting project like “Hardball” and “The Basketball Show” just to name two, the question that must be answered is: what value do we bring to this content? For Women Who Win, there is no denying that there is a huge underserved market specific to sports that has quietly grown over the years, and must now be given credence. Women can now stand shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts and command an audience. That is where women now win. Please make sure to catch Women Who Win on Facebook and YouTube every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7 p.m.