We need to be grateful for everything happening to us, including losses and failures we encounter. Not everything will be perfect, but we have to realize that what we have now is a privilege; it can be taken away from us in an instant.
A life selflessly dedicated to improving the value of those underrepresented in sport has served as the main calling for Coach Haydee Ong, currently serving as the coach of both the University of Santo Tomas’ and Enderun Colleges’ women’s basketball teams.
In a career that has spanned nearly three decades, shattering limitations is a clear recurring theme in Haydee’s path to being a champion. Growing in a family of athletes – her father a basketball player, and siblings Joy and Michael part of the national swimming team – her first barrier came in initially being discouraged from playing basketball, then viewed as a male-dominated sport. But not wanting to deter their child from pursuing their dream, Haydee’s mother ultimately allowed her to take up the sport, in exchange for high grades in school.
With one foot in the door, Haydee pushed herself to be the best on the court, not wanting to let go of the opportunity. Not only did she end up excelling academically, but she also wowed with her impressive skills as an athlete – so much so that she was recruited by her alma mater, UST, on a scholarship grant.
To this day, she remains grateful for this door being opened to her. “Not only did it inspire us to succeed in our studies, but it taught us real-life lessons. I picked up the values of discipline and resilience only through sports, and I don’t think I would have learned them anywhere else. Until now, I take with me these values, in everything I do as a coach,” she shares as she echoes the MILO® advocacy of championing grit and discipline in sports.
From then on, it seemed that only more hurdles were on her way, even as she began her career in 1996 as an assistant coach for the UST women’s basketball team, and two years after when she signed on to become an assistant coach for the national team: she was a direct witness to just how undervalued and unsupported the local women’s basketball scene used to be, to the point that she made a vow to herself: I will do everything I can to contribute to women’s basketball, and I will learn everything I need to learn to uplift women in basketball. All the hardships this community is currently facing, I will help alleviate.
And contribute to the sport, she did. In a journey characterized by not only pushing her students to be the best players they can be, but also molding herself to be a firm yet inspiring role model and mentor, all her hard work came into fruition with milestone wins: The country’s first international gold medal for women’s basketball at the 2010 SEABA; UST’s Growling Tigresses clinching their first gold after 17 years; and Enderun going for a 6-peat at the NAASCU women’s basketball champions – all at her helm.
Amid the wins and losses, Haydee’s vision in sport remains clear: Accessibility. In the same way the door was opened to her from a young age, she pays it forward in the form of teaching basketball for underprivileged kids for free – in fact, she has brought a number of these athletes all the way to the university varsities she currently coaches, in the goal of providing them holistic coaching.
Besides this, her drive to uplift women’s basketball is a flame that continues to fire on. Beyond her contributions in the local scene, Haydee recognizes there is more to be done. Whether in advocating for grassroots clinics for women’s basketball or ensuring that promising athletes receive ample training, she remains fueled by the same never-give-up attitude that led her to this path – and extending this indomitable spirit to others.
Leaving an impact has been Coach Haydee’s greatest gift, and she encapsulates it best with her mantra: Always make a heartprint in every heartbeat. Flanked by the lifelong values that sports has taught her, there is no doubt that she will only continue to inspire more athletes in the generations to come.
