Philippine volleyball flourishes as longtime LGBTQ safe space

“Slay kween!”

The anatomy of a Philippine volleyball highlight comes in many forms. There are thunderous kill spikes and blocks that always get crowds off their feet, superhero diving digs that make viewers wince in awe, and space-bending aces that curve within bounds without a millimeter to spare.

Intertwined within the exhibitions of the laws of physics, meanwhile, is the science of “swag” — perfectly timed taunts towards opponents right after scored points that get everyone’s emotions churning further. The crowd grows louder, the scorer’s momentum gets hotter, and the opponents, madder.

Within those few seconds of theatricality, a beautiful contrast also shows: some women pound their chests with their fists and roar while backing away from the net, while men hold a fierce stare, strike a pose, and pirouette away like they just finished a fashion show routine.

“Swag” taunts are the opening highlight of this piece for two reasons: one, they capture Philippine volleyball at its most confident and most entertaining, and two, they showcase the shattering of gender norms in sports within the span of a social media reel.

In a country wih a history of heteronormativity and an overzealous desire for respect, Philippine volleyball is an anomaly, where differing sexual orientations are embraced and confidence in one’s abilities is celebrated instead of reviled.

In Philippine volleyball, what is different is safe.

Transitioning to power

Today, there are few better symbols of the LGBTQ+ community in Philippine volleyball than Sydney Calderon, perhaps the only transwoman team owner and head coaching figure in the country today, and at a semi-professional level at that.

Leading the Savouge Spin Doctors team of the Spikers’ Turf, Calderon is also the CEO of the Savouge Aesthetics Center that provides cosmetic treatments in various clinics in Metro Manila, Pampanga, and Olongapo City.

Wearing many hats is a mere day’s work in the life of Calderon, and in the past two years, she has perfected a tightrope balancing act in maintaining a pair of rising powers, one in the beauty industry and the other in sports.

Though she could’ve perfectly stayed on her initial career path and solely grew her booming four-year-old business, the call of her old dreams — championing both the LGBT+ and volleyball communities — got just too loud to simply ignore.

“When I still didn’t have any businesses, it was really my dream to play in the big leagues like the UAAP, but I wasn’t fortunate enough to have a chance,” she told Rappler in Filipino. “So I told myself if I’d have the opportunity to build a team, I’d do it, and my players in the Spikers’ Turf fulfilled that dream.”

“I’m happy that even though I couldn’t play on the court, I could coach, and I felt I was a player myself.”

Spin Doctors’ surgical rise

Through sheer talent, skill, and grit, it took less than two years for Savouge to earn two consecutive bronze-medal finishes in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference and 2025 Open Conference.

Under the leadership of Calderon and fellow LGBT+ athlete icons Shawie Caritativo, Loisa Gamban, and captain Hero Austria, Savouge remains a deadly threat despite not having the stronger backing of top corporate teams like nine-time Spikers’ Turf champion Cignal and three-time silver medalist Criss Cross.

“Before, we couldn’t even get a single set against Cignal, but now we’re able to bring them to five. Same as Criss Cross, not only once, but twice,” Calderon continued. “So I knew we’ve come so far. Even though we’re not champions, we already feel like champions because we give them a good fight.”

“The bronzes are just bonuses in the past two seasons and I’m super, super, super happy.”

With multiple podium finishes in its history, Savouge proved its LGBT-led, yet inclusive roster is no mere gimmick, but concrete proof that queer kids can make their way up from makeshift street courts to the big leagues.

“I really made it a priority to give chances to LGBT athletes who want to play, especially those who weren’t given chances before by teams due to their [orientation]. I used the team to forward my advocacy to give exposure to LGBT members,” Calderon said.

“Though I think half my team belongs to the LGBT community, I’m happy we’re able to hang with the big boys.”

Queens on the world stage

Beyond the love Savouge is getting on the local scene, Calderon is likewise ecstatic of the progress other teams and players are getting, especially in how they are presented and portrayed in the media.

No longer just footnotes in buried paragraphs, players’ orientations and identities are now featured front and center, despite the relentless barrage of snide, discriminatory remarks festering in the toxic corners of social media.

Calderon praised, in particular, the LGBT-centric, star-level treatment UAAP MVPs Josh Ybañez and Kennedy Batas are getting, especially now as they wade into international waters with the Alas Pilipinas national team.

“Right now, I’m happy that I see Ybañez and Batas playing in the national team. Because of them, I won’t stop promoting LGBT players to give them further exposure, especially on the national and international levels,” she said.

“I’m happy because now, even the TV network captions really have personality for the LGBT players like ‘Slay Kween.’ They’ve really embraced their orientations, and that’s a big thing, because it’s difficult when coaches prohibit players to express themselves, saying things like ‘huwag kang babakla-bakla‘ (don’t be flamboyant on the court).”

Unless plans change, Ybañez and Batas, proud “sisters” and bright young prospects both, are now headed to the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship in September, as the Philippines hosts the massive 32-nation showpiece and volleyball’s biggest event.

The wins only get bigger from here.

Queer responsibly

Though LGBTQ+ athletes are celebrated as they are today, Calderon nonetheless maintains a cautious stance around her passionate players, given that one wrong move or one bad story can set off massive negative waves to drown the community’s hard-earned momentum.

“I also educate the players on how to be professional on the court to protect their image. I tell them it’s not all about the skills, it’s about who you are,” she warned.

“At Savouge, we don’t just develop players, we develop personalities. I want them to inspire other LGBT players when they play. If they’re not professional, it can ruin everything. They must always pay it forward.”

Nonetheless, higher standards for LGBTQ+ athletes and individuals overall don’t mean queer people should succumb to a life of fear.

As Calderon put it, if no harm comes to others, then there’s nothing wrong with embracing who you truly are and letting the world know the truth.

“They shouldn’t be afraid to come out,” she said. “We can see now that the LGBT community is slowly being accepted. I tell my players to always celebrate who they are on the court, because I want them to be at their best. They should let their true feelings out.”

“That goes the same for people still afraid to come out. Be who you want to be. As long as you don’t step on other people, don’t be afraid. Come out.”

Keeping the pride

As it stands, Philippine volleyball stands on similar ground to the Filipino LGBTQ+ community as a whole. The growth is there, but it can crumble easily if not nurtured well.

But for now, the safe space persists, kept open by those who care. The queer kids continue to play over flimsy nets on community courts, playfully sashaying past painted lines and boundaries.

Those like Calderon who are succeeding in the moment continue to dream bigger, ever inspired by a community’s thirst for more: more opportunities, more recognition, more respect.

Pride Month or otherwise, the fight never stops. – Rappler.com