In celebration of the Chinese New Year, PVL players shared their personal wishes, festive traditions, and reflections on their goals for the season ahead.
As the Chinese New Year usher in new luck and chance for prosperity, some PVL stars are taking a moment to reflect on their goals, plans, and resolutions for the year ahead.
From festive celebrations to personal aspirations, these volleyball stars share how they plan to welcome the new lunar year.
Prioritizing Health and Loved Ones
For seasoned spiker Ara Galang, the New Year is a time to wish for good health, not just for herself but for those closest to her.
"Akin siyempre 'yung good health, hindi lang sa akin pero sa mga mahal ko sa buhay—family, friends, and teammates,” Galang told One Sports.
A Tikoy Lover’s Tradition
Akari’s Fifi Sharma has one thing in mind when it comes to celebrating Chinese New Year—tikoy.
The star middle blocker looks forward to both giving and receiving the sticky rice cake, making it a highlight of her festivities.
"Actually, meron kasi mahilig ako sa tikoy. As in like kapag Chinese New Year, 'yun 'yung pinaka nilo-look forward ko kasi mahilig ako mamigay ng tikoy, mahilig din ako tumanggap ng tikoy,” she shared.
“So, excited ako magluto ng lumpiang tikoy. 'Yun 'yung gagawin ko this Chinese New Year," Sharma added.
[ALSO READ: Akari’s Fifi Sharma fulfills a longtime dream of hers just before 2024 ended]
Balancing Celebration and Training
For Ivy Lacsina, Chinese New Year will likely be a mix of celebration and hard work.
With her partner, Deana Wong, being half-Chinese, a dinner gathering is in the plans—but she knows volleyball training won’t take a break.
"Siguro po kasi 'yung partner ko po is half-Chinese, so siguro dinner po ganun and rest talaga that day pero for sure, may training 'yan kasi hindi naman Chinese si coach Taka," Lacsina said with a laugh.
On a personal level, the star outside hitter hopes for better conditioning and growth in her game, especially after recent challenges.
"Siguro, personally is mas maging kondisyon po ako kasi medyo nagiging problem po 'yun before, lalo na talaga twice-a-day, thrice-a-day po 'yung training namin,” Lacsina explained.
“So focus ko po ako dun and siyempre 'yung maturity ko sa pagdating sa paglalaro kasi katulad ngayon, hindi po inaasahan 'yung nangyari kay ate Mich [Cobb], so kailangan may mag-step up pa din,” Lacsina explained.
[ALSO READ: Akari's Michelle Cobb gives positive update after neck injury scare during PVL match vs Nxled]
Learning and Letting Go
Meanwhile, Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina recalls how joining Rebisco exposed her to Chinese New Year traditions, as the team’s bosses would include them in their celebrations by giving out special goods.
"Nung naka-join ako dito sa Rebisco kasi siyempre Chinese 'yung mga boss namin, so sinasama nila kami sa celebration, which is ayun nga nagbibigay sila ng mga goods para sa Chinese New Year,” Rondina shared.
“Although wala talaga akong alam na may ganun pala, pero thankful kasi sinasama nila kami sa pagce-celebrate ng Chinese New Year nila,” she added.
As for her resolution, the fiery spiker aims to focus more on rest and avoid overextending herself.
"Siguro magpahinga lang lagi [and] iiwan ko 'yung [mentality] na kaya ko lahat. Lagi akong ganun eh. Parang hindi ko pinapakawalan 'yung mga opportunities na nasa harap at dumarating din. So for me, magpahinga kasi katawan pa
rin 'yung puhunan,” said Rondina.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Sisi Rondina admits being fatigued after Alas Pilipinas stint amid Choco Mucho run]
As these PVL standouts welcome the Chinese New Year in their own ways, it’s safe to say that almost every player is wishing for an even better year ahead in the Year of the Snake.