Women are increasingly recognized today, yet they are still far from achieving true equality with men. They are often perceived as inferior and soft, stereotyped as fragile individuals whose primary responsibility is household chores. While these notions stem from the past, Filipinas continue to break barriers across various fields, sharing their triumphs and success stories.
In January 2022, the Philippine Women’s Football Team, the Filipinas, made history on the world stage. They secured their first-ever semifinal finish and earned a spot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup by qualifying through the AFC Asian Cup in India.
Today, women continue to empower and uplift others as they bring honor to our country. In this interview, Inna Palacios, a member of the Filipinas, shares her journey as a professional athlete in a male-dominated sport.
Can you recall the day you started playing football?
“My brother and I were always active kids, constantly playing on the streets. Our parents enrolled us in different sports growing up. In fifth grade, I was introduced to football. I didn’t know the rules or how to play, but I simply enjoyed it. The moment I stepped on the field, I knew I never wanted to leave.
As I evolved as a player, I saw the opportunities football could offer—scholarships, free education, meeting new people, and traveling to different places.
There was something about it that felt so freeing. I could express myself through the sport’s physicality without being judged. What I love most is the sense of community, the family, and being part of a team.”
What were your struggles as an athlete?
“The biggest struggle is dealing with frustration—losing games, getting injured, and facing ups and downs.”
How did you overcome those struggles?
“Football is more than just winning and losing; it builds character. It has shaped me as both a player and a person. The lessons I’ve learned from the sport have been life-changing.
There will be times when you feel like quitting, like you’re not good enough. But setting goals and pushing through adversity is part of the journey. The struggles—both physical and mental—are what helped me grow into the person I am today.”
How did it feel to overcome challenges and make history for the Philippines?
“It’s indescribable, like living in a dream. Every football player dreams of playing in the World Cup. To be there, coming from the Philippines—a third-world country with fewer resources and experience compared to other teams—yet still finding ways to turn dreams into reality, is incredibly fulfilling.
At that moment, every sacrifice made sense. It was the reward for all the hard work.
I’ve realized that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. I hope to continue experiencing moments like this and inspiring more girls to believe in themselves.
What we do now is for future generations. Our achievements will open doors for more opportunities and prove that women can succeed and thrive in this sport.
That’s why we fight so hard—we want people to support and invest in women’s football. We want the sport to grow, for more people to play, and for more people to believe that football can take them places.”
Do you think women’s football needs more investment and support?
“Yes, definitely. More focus and investment should be directed toward women’s sports in general. Many of our country’s most prestigious sports achievements are by women, proving that we are breaking stereotypes.
Gone are the days when women were expected to stay at home and do all the chores. Women strive, and when we set our sights on something, we don’t stop until we get what we dream of and deserve.
We also need sustainability—not just in football but in all sports. Winning brings us global recognition, but lack of resources is always a challenge. Despite limited funding, we’ve achieved great things. Imagine how much more we could accomplish with proper support.”
Were there changes in coverage and opportunities after your historic win?
“After the tournament, we felt more support. More people got involved, watched our games, and recognized the team. It was encouraging and gave us the extra push we needed.
Competing in the World Cup, the biggest sporting event in the world, is beyond words. It’s even bigger than the Olympics. Imagine standing there, singing the national anthem while representing the Philippines—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience in my career.
I just hope the support continues because we need it. We need people to believe in our cause. We’re representing the country on the world stage, and that connection to our roots gives us hope. I want football to symbolize hope, inspiring people to rise above challenges.”
What do you think is the biggest barrier for women in football?
“The lack of opportunities to play and be seen. We only get exposure during tournaments, and those are rare.
We have many technically skilled players, but they need platforms to showcase their talent. Recruiters need to see them play. Bringing talented players to Manila, where most football scholarships are, could provide them with free education.
Sustaining teams is another challenge. Without enough tournaments, we struggle to bring funding back to the team. We need to work on making the sport sustainable.”
Why do you think women’s sports often go unnoticed?
“It’s a sad reality. Sports have always been a male-dominated industry. As women, we have to work twice—sometimes three times—as hard just to prove we’re as capable as our male counterparts.
That mentality needs to change. It starts with shifting culture, leadership, and mindset—not just in the Philippines but worldwide.
At the end of the day, sports are sports. It doesn’t matter if you’re male or female; the game remains the same.
Yet, as women, we constantly feel the need to prove ourselves, to seek extra validation just to be respected.
But the truth is, we don’t have to prove anything—we’re already proving something. I’m incredibly proud of how the women’s team continues to deliver results. I just hope we receive the support we deserve to keep growing.”
What’s your message to aspiring female football players and athletes?
“Dream big. Work hard to make that dream a reality—it is always possible, and it’s worth fighting for.
Find your purpose. Know why your dream is important to you, and hold onto that. Purpose will push you beyond what you think you’re capable of.
Be brave. It doesn’t matter how many times you fall; what matters is how many times you get back up and keep fighting.”
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This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.