PHILIPPINE VOLCANOES on training mode

In case you haven't heard, we have a National Rugby team. Yeah. They are called THE PHILIPPINE VOLCANOES  which is governed by the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU).The Philippines been playing in the Asian 5 Nations tournaments since 2008. The current players are mostly foreign based Filipinos of mix blood. They made noise lately due to the controversial Bench underwear billboard in EDSA.

Caught up with them last Tuesday at the British School of Manila while training for the Shanghai Sevens Rugby Tournament. I received an early morning call from Jeman of Orange MagazineTv to confirm my attendance and despite having only 1.5 hours sleep the night before, I immediately showered and readied myself. I know very well that it is a rare opportunity to see the much talked about Rugby team, more so, to watch them on training mode. Time to see how serious these guys are in the pit and hopefully get to talk to them after the training and know if there's more to it than meets the eye.

PHILIPPINE VOLCANOES on training mode

The training was to start 10am but I didn't arrive until 11. The Volcanoes were already on the field when I came and bunch of cameras from different media entities were already set to cover the training.I immediately opened my dslr camera to catch the action. When I came closer, I noticed coach Matt Cullen shouting with his thick British accent. To my surprise, the players also fashion different accents prominently British and Australian.

Remember the Sri Lankan team's reaction during their game with the Azkals last time? They were surprised with the names of the players of the Philippine team. Of course I am not ignorant with the present members of of the Philippine volcanoes, but the moment you see and hear them in person, you can't help but ask, are they the Philippine team? hahaha. Of course this should not be an issue. These guys are making our country proud and that's all that matters.

here are some of the achievements of the PHILIPPINE VOLCANOES - NATIONAL RUGBY TEAM

MENs 7s TEAM
Silver Medal, 2007 South East Asian Games
Gold Medal, 2005 South East Asian Games

MENs 15s TEAM
Champions, 2010 Asian 5 Nations Div. 2
Champions, 2009 Asian 5 Nations Div. 3
Champions, 2008 Asian 5 Nations Div. 4

I was surprised to know that some of them fly back and forth to Manila and spend their own money just to be able to play with the national squad. The exposure they are getting these days is helping attract not just attention but sponsorship as well. That on top on making the ordinary Filipinos of Rugby and educating them about the sport.

On the field, these guys are dead serious and fierce. Rugby after all is a full contact sports which inflicts significant physical impact force on players.When got the chance to interview them after the practice and they were surprisingly warm and gentle, even playful at times. Most of them are in mid-20's. Justin Coveney in particular is very funny. Chris Everingham was very warm, he was the one who even asked for our twitter accounts first. Harry Morris, Jake Letts, Oliver Saunders,Andrew Wolff, Chris Hitch and Kenny Stern were equally accommodating and you get the chance that despite the celebrity status they are getting these days, these guys are very down to earth .

Didn't get to talk with the rest but you get a sense that this team is intact and they are definitely enjoying the attention they are getting.Talking to Dyan Castillejo after our interviews with them, she remarked "they are nice ha, they are really nice". I can't agree more.

The Philippine Volcanoes has been practicing a lot this past few weeks in preparation for their important match this Saturday (August 27-28) in China for the Shanghai Sevens Rugby Tournament. They will go against South Korea in the first game. Asked what their chances are, they said they will capitalize on their advantage over the defending champions and that is having bigger players. It's going to be a tough match for sure.

Go for it guys. Rock em hard in Shanghai!!!!

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http://www.prfu.com/