Tricia Santos: An Unconventional Path

Now that Tricia Santos is officially part of the UST Tigresses, she might as well be the successor of Gretchen Ho as the face of UAAP Volleyball.

But first, let’s have a review. We wouldn’t even care much about this new Tigress if it weren’t for her pretty face and her brief but loud exposure in one of the PBB Teen Editions where she was one of the most popular contestants. Although she became an instant favorite because of her good looks, she quickly gained haters for being too “maarte” and “malandi”. She wasn’t exactly the most loved contestant in that edition. She was evicted on Day 63 (Wow! Some research there, huh. LOL).

In fact, as a proof that she was already a part of showbiz, some rumors of Anorexia even came out after photos of her being extremely thin started circulating.

She later explained that her weight loss was due to an injury and a long time rest from playing volleyball. Shortly after the said photos started circulating, she came back looking okay and was even able to participate in Palarong Pambansa 2012 in Pangasinan.

Some people are saying that Tricia is just using UAAP Volleyball as a way to make it back to fame and maybe, even back to showbiz. We know for sure that if that was the plan, it’s a pretty good one. Now more than ever, volleyball is capable of converting a nobody into a household name. And having a background as colorful as hers, she will surely get a lot of attention as a new UAAP volleybelle.

There's actually a good reason for some people to consider this. Years ago, Tricia seemed to be having a really good start in her showbiz career. She was even being groomed to be the next Kim Chiu. But it never happened. Maybe there's just a concern that since UAAP volleyball has created some celebrities out of ordinary college students like Michelle Gumabao, Gretchen Ho and Fille Cainglet, Tricia might just be using the sport as a stepping stone for a showbiz comeback.

Regardless if she’s playing for the love of the sport or even for an ulterior motive, she is very much welcome to the very colorful world of collegiate volleyball. I hope she’ll prove to be a powerful recruit for the Tigresses who have just lost key players in Caballejo and Ortiz. I even think that with the amount of attention  (and new fans) that she will bring to the sport, UAAP volleyball might even benefit from her. :D

*** Due to the number of reactions to this post (mostly negative), I've decided to give a response.

First, I've read the article again and forgive me but I did not see anything incorrect or offensive. Except maybe for the "anorexic" pic which I've now removed. To those who did not understand, the anorexic issue was added as a proof that she was formally part of showbiz. (Sa mga slow, ang pagkakaroon ng mga tsismis tungkol sa'yo is one of the proofs that you are already a showbiz personality. Kung di ka pinag-uusapan, hindi ka sikat. Hindi ka pag-aaksayahan ng time.)

Second, I did not say that I thought she was using volleyball to stage a showbiz comeback. Believe me, I've heard it from other people, expressed in a much harsher way. I was only presenting their thoughts and why they came up with those thoughts. I did not confirm it.

Third, I am not a hater. If there's one thing I hate in this world, it's how narrow/closed-minded people are. As I said in the last paragraph, she is VERY MUCH WELCOME to the world of collegiate volleyball. Hindi lahat ng taong magsasabi ng hindi papuri sa idol niyo, hater kaagad. I didn't say she is a bad player or that she's not really a volleyball player. I know she was a key player for Ateneo de Davao when she was in high school. I even said she played in the Palaro. And I know that she won't get into the UST Tigresses team if she was not good.

What I meant by "We wouldn’t even care much about this new Tigress if it weren’t for her pretty face and her brief but loud exposure in one of the PBB Teen Editions" was, OK I'll say it in Tagalog. Kung hindi siya maganda at kung hindi siya sumali sa PBB, hindi sana natin siya pinapansin ngayon. That's the truth. Hindi siya kasing tunog nina Cheng, Gopico or J. Santiago when it comes to being power recruits. At para sa mga closed-minded fans, hindi ko na naman sinasabing hindi siya magaling. Ang sinasabi ko lang, hindi siya napag-uusapan as of now dahil sa skills niya. Malay natin, maging "halimaw" pala siya sa court. Ok, "dyosa sa court" para sa mga sensitive na fans. Satisfied? :D

Lastly, I want to expound on  what I said in the last paragraph. I am excited to see her play in the UAAP. I believe she will actually help the sport with the number of fans she presently has and the new ones she'll attract while playing. I have nothing against her. If you back read my tweets, I've mentioned her a couple of times on a positive note. So yeah, there. Peace.