Malditas United!

For the longest time, our country has worshipped basketball, a game played from barangay half-courts to the Big Dome. Lately, football has stolen some of the attention of our hoops-loving masses.

The Philippine national football team has gained popularity beyond the dreams of the local football community. With their success, the Azkals have made the sport seemingly attainable to all — even to the female populace.

But in every country, in every sport, female athletes have always experienced a double standard. They are either deemed just another pretty face before even stepping on to the playing field, or they are considered too manly to be a woman.

This same double standard also exists in football, a sport that involves too much contact, roughness, and stamina. And the same double standard exists for members of the Philippine national women’s football team — the Malditas.

The nickname has been controversial, with many criticisms thrown its way. But for us, the nickname represents the evolution of the beautiful, modern Filipina — an evolution not necessarily understood by everyone.

The “mal” in maldita means “bad” in Spanish. The term refers to someone mean, perverse or wicked; loose of tongue; or one who speaks her mind freely.

The last definition fits the national women’s football team well — we are women who came together to redefine norms.

Everyday, we go against everyone thinking that we can’t enjoy the same success on the pitch. We fight our battles in training, push ourselves beyond what we can do, and when training ends and the clock hits 8 a.m., we head to the locker rooms and face the world as beautiful, confident women ready to go about our day.

Some head to school for a full day of classes, before another training session with respective varsity teams. Some go to work or attend to other commitments.

We work had in preparation for the day we represent our country in Laos for the ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championships this September. But we also work hard to achieve something beyond our football careers.

Despite the lack of support and the lack of cheers, we keep going. In some ways, we were brave enough to answer the call to represent our country. We, the so-called Malditas, make do with what we have to try to create a team everyone can believe in.

And despite all the criticism, we go about our days with smiles. Smiles that say: Say what you must, I am a Maldita who fights till she gets what she wants. And if I were you, I would definitely be on my side because we are out to defy odds and conquer the world.

Isabella ‘Belay’ Fernando is a defender for the Malditas, the Philippine national women’s football team. Follow her on Twitter to learn more about the team.