Bella Belen calls representing the Philippines at SEA Games a “surreal feeling”

The 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) officially opened in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 9, with the Philippines fielding one of its largest contingents ever — a 1,600-strong delegation competing across multiple sports.

Among them is the Philippine women’s volleyball national team, led by University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and Capital1 Solar Spikers standout Bella Belen.

Belen, no stranger to representing the country in international competitions, admitted in a media interaction that competing in the SEA Games feels “surreal,” marking a new level of pride and responsibility.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

“Sobrang nostalgic siya for me. Pero siyempre mas mataas po kasi SEA Games. Very throwback din since naka-barong and everything. Pero siyempre iba parin ngayon. Since first time ko mag-SEA Games iba yung feeling na ma-represent yung country,” Belen said ahead of the opening ceremony at the Rajamangala National Stadium.

“SYEMPRE WE’RE AIMING FOR THE GOLD.” 🥇

Bella Belen says that while making history with a podium finish is already a goal, the Alas Pilipinas Women are determined to go all the way for gold in the indoor women’s volleyball tournament. | via POC Media Pool#SEAGames33 pic.twitter.com/iFDL3R1kUf

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) December 9, 2025

“I’m very happy and honored na isa ako sa mag-paparade. Siyempre isang malaking karangalan ito for an athlete like me na mapasama sa ganito and mabigyan puri yung country natin,” she added.

The Philippines has gone two decades without a podium finish in women’s volleyball at the SEA Games, last medaling in 2005. Belen is determined to help her team end the drought, acknowledging the challenge of facing regional powerhouses like Vietnam, Indonesia, and hosts Thailand.

“We are aiming naman for the gold. Lahat naman going for the gold. Pero siyempre hindi magiging madali for us. Lalo na’t hindi naging ganun kahaba yung preparation namin. Alam naman namin ibibigay namin best namin at hopefully makapag-podium tayo,” Belen said.

The road to a medal will indeed be tough. The Philippines is in Group A, opening its campaign against Thailand on December 11, followed by a must-win match against Singapore on December 12. Only the top two teams in the group will advance to the semifinals, where they will face a contender from Group B — Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, or Myanmar.

👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and join the community of passionate sports fans.