In the hallowed corridors of De La Salle University, tradition is far more than a curated legacy of past glories. It lives in the rhythmic cadence of spikes striking the corners, prayerful inhalation before a plunge into the pool, and the roar of a community that demands nothing short of excellence. Yet, for Abcd Agamanos and Xiandi Chua, the true measure of a Lasallian woman in sports transcends the cruel finality of a scoreboard and measurements.
Their narrative unfolds in the liminal spaces where the spotlight rarely shines, proving that a legacy is not determined by insignia, but by the invisible architecture of character.
Where the future begins
Arriving at La Salle with the weight of survival, Agamanos brought no sense of entitlement but only the quiet, persistent strain of making ends meet. For her, each day was a tightrope walk between the gravity of necessity and the distant pull of aspiration. When she speaks, her voice still carries a tremor, a lingering ghost of the obstacles she cleared: “Sports became the reason I kept going.” It is an emotional but truthful confession that strips the game of its vanity, revealing the arena as a lifeline, like a gleaming bridge to a future she once believed was beyond reach.
Initially, she feared entering a world that seemed reserved for the “rich and smart,” but the same grit that saw her outpace veterans at sixteen became her currency. “DLSU became my dream because it gave me hope in [the form of] a future I once thought was impossible,” she says. With courage and by leading by example, blending humility and hard work, she proves that being a Lasallian woman isn’t about fitting a mold, but about the courage to forge a new one.
Chua stepped onto the pool deck carrying the quiet weight of a family legacy built by her parents and brother. Through quiet parallels, her path echoes Agamanos’ struggle, meeting at a single truth: being a woman in sports is about more than the hardware around your neck; it’s about clearing a lane for the girl who has yet to jump in.
Despite being a decorated name in the swimming scene, she refuses to be a passenger in her own life, taking it one lane at a time. “I try not to think of everything as a big picture. I compartmentalize,” she reflects, a glimpse of the mental armor that allows her to chase international records without losing herself.
Although they began from different starting lines, these two women show that sports is the patient, deliberate shaping of character, turning her space into a starting point for others. By staking a claim in a patriarchal field, they prove that sports, community, and dreams build more than victories; it reveals what it truly means to lead into a future charted by courage.
Beyond the podium
For the women donning green and white, true victory lies in continuous self-improvement and personal development. Former Lady Tanker Chua notes that success is about constantly improving oneself to inspire the next generation of athletes. Similarly, fifth-year track and field standout Agamanos believes true excellence transcends the hardware. For her, it is defined by the personal growth achieved throughout the grueling process of securing podium finishes.
Behind every record-breaking performance are the unseen sacrifices that demand immense mental resilience. The Lasallian community often witnesses the glory, but rarely the agonizing self-doubt or the fear of falling short of expectations. Pushing past these mental hurdles is a must for them to stay at the top of their game.
Off the field, these athletes battle enduring stereotypes, especially the misconception that they are weaker than men. “Hindi totoo na mahina ang mga babae,” Agamanos asserts, emphasizing their equal discipline. Furthermore, critics often fixate on their appearances over their athletic prowess. Chua notes that while rigorous, three-hour training sessions can spark insecurities about appearing masculine, this physical strength should actually serve as a source of empowerment. By embracing authenticity, these athletes prove that excellence transcends gender.
(It is not true that women are weak.)
Owning the game
To be a woman in male-dominated fields is to face the fact that opportunities are hard to come by. In a society where patriarchal assumptions about leadership, fortitude, and capacity still linger, the presence of women in sports has not always been enough to attract attention. History shows that even as Filipino women achieve extraordinary feats—from the late sprinter Lydia de Vega Mercado to the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz—they remain visible only insofar as their participation allows. Too often, their triumphs are no better than eras people soon move on from.
Recently, Filipina athletes have once again commanded the spotlight. Tennis star Alex Eala has begun carving out a name for herself internationally, prompting a new wave of admiration among fellow Filipinos—some even willing to spend both time and money to witness her compete. Similarly, speaking about her experience during the recently concluded 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, Chua noted how significantly the women’s side of Philippine swimming has progressed.
“In the past, we would really struggle to win golds, but now we have delivered a few golds here and there,” she said. Chua was part of the Philippine team that secured more than two golds for the first time since 2009, marking a major resurgence for the sport in the country. Nonetheless, these represent only a fragment of the bigger picture that has long been overlooked.
Women do not lack the skills and will undoubtedly get the job done. Chua underscores this reality: “A lot of young girls really want to pursue their dreams, but they don’t have the means to.” She adds that what sparks the younger generation is witnessing what Filipino women can achieve on the international stage. As such, she is a firm believer that both the government’s and the school’s support are pivotal in helping young athletes be in the same shoes as them and wear them comfortably.
Gaining followers and fans may be expected in moments of victory, but the greater challenge lies in what happens when the applause fades. The question remains whether society can do more than simply watch women prove themselves and instead make them realize their full potential. As Agamanos echoed, equal treatment may still be out of reach, but female athletes deserve the attention they have long been owed.
The legacy of women athletes extends far beyond the playing field. For Lasallians like Agamanos and Chua, true excellence is measured by the barriers they break and the paths they forge for the next generation. As Women’s Month highlights their triumphs and trials, they remind the sporting world that strength knows no gender—a resounding message for every young girl watching from the sidelines.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s March 2026 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSMar2026.
