Famously known as a basketball country, recent times have seen the Philippines succeed in more individualistic sports. Filipinos have been scooping up medals in international tourneys featuring weightlifting, jiu-jitsu, and karate, emphasizing an innate skill in fields that place little emphasis on height and length.
Pauline Lopez is an enduring example of this evolution. The 26-year-old has been winning SEA Games medals in taekwondo since notching a bronze in 2013, and two more gold medals in 2015 and 2019.
The wins come as little surprise to anyone who knows her pedigree. She was taught at the age of 7 by her father, a national athlete in the ‘80s. She was honed by coaches like Walter Dean Vargas, who won international championships in the ‘90s. She’s gritty by default, taking on taekwondo after being told it was “a man’s sport.”
Lopez has seen audiences, fans, and media grow from apathy to excitement over possibilities beyond hoop dreams. With the wins come converts, and the star athlete hopes that fair attention across all sports comes to fruition with every drop of blood, sweat, and tears.
Pau talks with Complex Philippines about life as a SEA Games medalist, the budding hype in Filipino athletes, and the future of local martial arts.
All of my medals I bring back home to my family. They are a reminder of why I do what I do. There’s a weird little shrine [of myself] in my parent’s room. I’m like, “Can I have my medals back?” and they’re like, “No” (laughs).
We do see a bit of improvement. They’re sending more athletes to international tournaments and training camps. However, there is still this lack of grassroots support. In basketball, how many local training camps are there, sometimes for free? We all know how expensive [pursuing] sports can be.
[A lot of people] don’t know how good these athletes can be. Given the right opportunities, luck, and financial support, imagine where we can go.
It definitely has improved so much more. With the beauty of social media, we don't have to be on live TV to get information across. Dates and game information are easily accessible.
But as I said, there are things to always improve. I feel like the [attention and coverage] need to be fair across all sports.
(Laughs) I think it’s because we fight more than just the fight in front of us. There is so much we are fighting for. You can see it in the athlete’s eyes: Are they competing just for clout and medals, or is it to support their family and livelihood?
That’s why Filipino athletes kick ass; It goes beyond the medal in front of them. And you can’t teach grit. Puso talaga (It's heart).
In taekwondo, we’re including more technology. We’re doing a point system with magnets to try to make it fair. But for the youth, they are coming up with creative kicks that I didn’t even know was a taekwondo kick. Like “Wow, you’re so flexible.” Creativity will always flow and evolve.
I have my own taekwondo school. I’m teaching and coaching. It’s constant growth and collaboration. In that way, I feel like I can put in my time and due diligence to help my students as well.
Maybe, we don’t know! You’ll be the first to know (laughs).
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Photography Borgy Angeles
Art and Art Direction Alexandra Lara and James Francisco
Interview and Story Gelo Lasin
Styling Assist Jana Silao assisted by Sophie Silao
Makeup Nadynne Esguerra
Hair Patrick John
Production Complex Philippines
Location Bulb Studios
COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive.
© Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Complexphilippines.com is a part of