Islay Bomogao is currently an undefeated professional fighter. She is also a foodie, traveler, furmom, and a licensed teacher. This young woman slays.
The Philippines have another rising star in combat sports, with 24-year-old Islay Erika Bomogao taking on the highly-competitive Muay Thai division of ONE Championship.
But Islay is more than just a fighter, she is also a huge foodie, traveler, furmom to six adorable pets, and a licensed professional teacher.
In this martial arts edition of Off the Record, Islay shares her life beyond the ONE Championship spotlight, giving us a glimpse of what makes her a multi-talented young superstar.
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One Sports: What are some of your hobbies to balance a healthy work-life?
Islay Erika Bomogao: I’m a big foodie. I love to bake and cook when I’m at home. @HungryNakmuay is my foodie IG. I haven’t updated it for a long time though, [as I’ve] been really busy.
Aside from baking and cooking, mahilig din po ako mag mountaineering and mag-visit ng mga falls. Tapos I love watching K-drama din.
OS: Can you recommend some of your favorite K-dramas?
Islay: All of Us are Dead, the OG, tapos Goblin. Hehehe.
(Just like us! Islay Bomogao is not immune to Hallyu as she drops her K-drama picks)
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Who doesn’t love good food accompanied by a nice k-drama binge, right?
And just when you think you can’t adore Islay anymore, let’s talk about her love for dogs.
OS: You’re a dog person. Just share how many pets you have and ano names nila? Sino nag-aalaga if wala ka to train. Also, ano ‘yung mga usual bonding na ginagawa mo together with them if may time ka.
Islay: Yep!!! At home, we have three chihuahuas: Atom, JLO, and Tiny. One pomeranian named Nala, a toy poodle called Rosie, and an aspin named Janna.
Pag wala ako sa bahay, it’s my mom and my older sister who take care of them. ‘Yung bonding lang po namin is just playing fetch and learning tricks. I luuuuurve them! Minsan stress, pero madalas stress-reliever.
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Islay’s career as a Muay Thai fighter has opened doors for her to travel the world far and wide, allowing her to see places beyond her home in the Philippines.
OS: You do a lot of traveling, what countries have you been to?
Islay: Yes po. For competitions, training camps, and lately for collabs. I’ve been to South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Greece, Australia, Qatar, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand sooooo many times, especially last year.
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At this point, it’s clear Islay is juggling more than most of us can imagine. But here’s something you might not know—she’s also a licensed professional teacher.
The woman that she is.
OS: Sobrang dami mo achievements, Islay, you also teach. Kwento ka lang about dito and in the future, would you like to look into this career path more?
Islay: Yes po. I've been a licensed pro teacher since 2023. But I haven’t applied to schools yet since I’m more focused on my sports career for now.
I don’t think I will be pursuing it as my job in the future though, because I’m thinking of studying another course soon.
Aside from being a full-time athlete now, tumutulong din ako mag-coach at magturo sa mga grassroots athletes namin dito sa Cordillera.
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Keep slaying, busy It Girl.