Mabuhay ang Fila-pinas!

There is this kind of goosebump-inducing moment when you’re up onstage with people on the verge of greatness. People who train endlessly in the pursuit of perfection, who never stop, rain or shine, just to get it right. These people are playing some serious ball under our flag, and watching them go up, and accept the jersey — that same jersey that they will wear when they battle it out against the best of the world — is, indeed, something.

Something’s coming and it feels great. Whether it is the economy going on an upward streak, buildings getting erected left and right, new ventures being launched every day, there is something optimistic in the air. It is palpable, and it is happening now. The Fila Ball celebrates that spirit as they did a major send-off for the sports superheroes of today, the Philippine Volcanoes.

Historically, this year marks the first time that the Philippine flag will be raised in the Rugby World Cup Sevens since the 1950s. The Philippines is set to battle it out with Kenya, Samoa and Zimbabwe end of this month. In fact, as you are reading this article, the Philippine Volcanoes are on a plane towards Moscow, to represent us.

Fila royalty Cris Albert, ultra chic in a royal blue Rajo Laurel and neon Chanel clutch combo, was onstage to hand each player their jersey. In the fashion of a rite of graduation, each member of the Volcanoes strode up to accept this lovely token, a uniform with our flag and the Fila logo emblazoned on their battle gear. Our heroes are off to war and a great send-off party was thrown just for them!

Tuxedoes to training gear

At the very exclusive bastion of old world elegance Prince Albert at Hotel Intercon, a grand feast was prepared, with all details trademarked Fila all over it like a stamp of indulgent approval. Everyone in dapper tuxedoes and elegant gowns, flowers the size of trees on top of tables and giant candelabras by Robert Blancaflor, overflowing champagne as poured by Butch Albert and Ralph Joseph, music by the Manila String Machine and guitarist Jerome Rico, the works and more! Nothing short of a Fila spectacular.

The guest list? A chosen few — fans of Filipinism and modern heroism. The Volcanoes themselves were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, and went table-to-table to thank everyone for the moral support they generously gave the team. An afterparty at the spanking new Cabana Club was also prepared for the team, but the disciplined athletes that they are, they begged off as they changed from tuxedoes to training gear. They were on the way to Laguna to train right that very morning. They have been doing so for the past year, and they won’t stop now.

Tenacity has a way of inspiring us to be better. These are people who won’t stop at being the best they can be. Whether it’s about throwing the best send-off for national athletes, making the most comfortable performance gear for a sports team or playing the best rugby to represent an entire country. We will all go to the ultimate depths to achieve that feat. Nothing short of perfection, for that is our nature.

And that is, indeed, something.

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