Sharing Grace: Legendary Cebuana coach Grace Antigua pays it forward

Grace Antigua shares her knowledge to kids in Santa Fe, Bantayan. | contributed photo

Cebu City, Philippines—When it comes to the sport of volleyball, Grace Antigua is considered a national treasure. 

The “Alyssa Valdez” of her time, Antigua was one of the finest volleyball players in the Philippines, winning three gold medals, a silver and a bronze in the Southeast Asian Games on top of her many stints representing flag and country in different volleyball tournaments in and outside of the country.

These days, Antigua, remains as competitive as she’s ever been, recently leading the spikers of the University of San Carlos to the cusp of Cesafi greatness, winning the Cesafi women’s volleyball crown.

But there’s also a mellow side to Antigua, which she put on full display during the recent Bantayan Island stop of the Beach Volleyball Republic.

There, Antigua was seen patiently teaching local kids the very basics of volleyball. 

Moments like these are what gives Antigua unparalleled joy, she said in a talk afterwards.

“Giving back gives me fulfillment. Lipay kaayo ko maka share especially to the kids. Watching them follow the basic skills makes me feel so contented,” said Antigua in an exclusive with Cebu Daily News Digital. 

Apart from showing the young ones the basic mechanics of the game, Antigua also took the time to share some words of encouragement with the camp participants.

“I told he kids ‘do not stop training and do the basics of volleyball. Someday you will be playing on this court! Playing with other players from other provinces or from Manila. Or maybe you will become varsity players.’” 

From her humble beginnings playing high school volleyball at St. Joseph’s Academy in Mandaue then to Southwestern University in college before being chosen to be part in the national team, where she spent a decade playing for national pride, Antigua has always had the golden touch when it comes to mentoring and teaching players.

The list of players who have flourished under her tutelage is a virtual who’s-who of Cebu volleyball: national players like Jerome Canada, Jonrey Sasing, Genie Sabas, Michelle Simbajon; Nestea Beach Volley national champions like Michael Simbajon, Norvie Labuga, Ariel Calumba, Louiejie Tipgos, Jason Uyand Jade Illut.

In spite of her achievements, one thing that Antigua has made sure to do is give back to the community, wherever that may be.

“It is important that I was able to share. This is a God-given gift, this is one way of thanking Him for this gift. At least when I grow old, like when I’m 70 years old already, I can say that serving and thanking the Lord makes me proud of myself!” /bmjo