Rachel Anne Daquis is officially back in the Premier Volleyball League, suiting up with the Farm Fresh Foxies. Affectionately called 'Queen," RAD reflects on her career and Philippine volleyball's future.
Rachel Anne Daquis is more than just a volleyball icon—she has become living proof of the sport's growth in the Philippines.
Dubbed “Queen RAD” by her adoring fans, the veteran spiker carries this title with grace and humility, embodying the journey of Philippine volleyball from its humble beginnings to its current prominence in the local sporting landscape.
Making her highly-anticipated PVL return with the Farm Fresh Foxies, Daquis is set to once again showcase the leadership and skill that have defined her illustrious career.
In this special Off the Record feature, Daquis shares her thoughts on earning the “Queen RAD” moniker, the pressure—or lack thereof—that comes with it, and her pride in being part of Philippine volleyball’s rich history.
From playing on basketball courts to witnessing the sport dominate international arenas, RAD reflects on how far the game has come and what she hopes for in its future.
—
One Sports: There are plenty of titles or monickers in Philippine volleyball but yours still stands out among fans—Queen RAD. What can you say about the title given to you?
Rachel Anne Daquis: Queen RAD, sobrang overwhelming para sakin 'yun. Queen RAD because siguro 'yung naging contribution ko sa mundo ng volleyball and 'yung talagang saan kami nagsimula dati.
From Studio 23 to TV5, from basketball court to taraflex. Part tayo nun and alam mo 'yun, happy ako na hindi nila nakakalimutan 'yon and kung ano paano nila bigyan ng halaga kung sino si Rachel, sobrang nakakataba ng puso.
(While she carries the 'Queen' title bestowed upon her by her adoring fans, Rachel Anne Daquis is one to stay true to herself)
One Sports: Is there any pressure for you personally in carrying a title like Queen RAD?
Rachel: Actually, wala naman siya kasi hindi ko naman siya parang iniisip na parang kailangan ganito ako, ganyan. I'm just being myself. Siguro na-love naman ako ng mga tao dahil ako ito. Shino-show ko lang 'yung kung sino talaga ako.
One Sports: How happy are you to see how volleyball has become today? From being in basketball courts to now always being televised?
Rachel: Sobrang happy siyempre kasi nasubaybayan ko siya lahat. From 'yung mga bleacher namin sa UP gym lang tapos nag home-and-away kami sa mga university lang pero ngayon PVL On Tour na, tapos nakaka-represent pa kami internationally so sobrang happy ako and alam mo 'yun, part ako nung history na 'yun and 'yung evolveness ng volleyball sa Pilipinas, sobrang layo na ng narating.
Happy ako dun kasi siyempre gains din ng mga bata 'yun eh so kahit nag-simula kami sa ganung volleyball, maliit palang volleyball pero ngayon, eto na 'yung volleyball sa Pilipinas. Happy ako sa mga bata and until now part pa rin tayo nun.
(From bursting onto the scene in FEU, to becoming the face of Cignal, to now taking her talents to Farm Fresh, Rachel Anne Daquis has seen it all)
One Sports: What else do you want to see when it comes to Philippine volleyball in the future?
Rachel: Parang basketball lang yan. Dati hindi naman super ganun ka-ingay 'yung PBA pero ngayon nakakapag-represent na sila ng FIBA, nagiging part na tayo—kumbaga pinaghahandaan ng mga international players.
So, gusto ko din na maging ganun 'yung volleyball and I know na kayang-kaya natin lalong lalo na 'yung in-evolve ngayon, 'yung sa lakas ng mga players. Sobrang kayang-kaya na natin makipag-sabayan and sobrang thankful kami na ang ganda ng pathway ng volleyball sa Pilipinas kasi paangat.