Anastasiia Bavykina Brings Global Experience to PLDT’s Title Quest

Anastasiia Bavykina Brings Global Experience to PLDT’s Title Quest

Wednesday, October 29

The PLDT High Speed Hitters are coming into the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference with renewed confidence, international firepower, and a mission to complete their dream run. After dominating the PVL On Tour and Invitational Conference with back-to-back championships and a 15-game winning streak, the team is hungrier than ever to capture the Reinforced crown.

Now leading Pool A with a 3–1 record, the High Speed Hitters are determined to turn last year’s heartbreak into history.

At the heart of PLDT’s new lineup is Russian outside hitter Anastasiia Bavykina, a 6’2” veteran with over 15 years of professional experience spanning Russia, Europe, Asia, and the United States. Her addition marks a major boost to the High Speed Hitters’ lineup—offering height, consistency, and veteran poise to an already solid defensive system.

According to Coach Rald Ricafort, Bavykina is exactly what the team needed.

“We don’t need another scoring machine. We need a veteran who can hold the team together and bring stability to our high-level performance,” Ricafort explained.

Bavykina has already made her presence felt, debuting with 10 spikes, 2 service aces, and 10 excellent receives against the Capital1 Solar Spikers, followed by a conference-high 18 points against the Farm Fresh Foxies.

She now forms a formidable partnership with Invitational Conference MVP Savi Davison, creating one of the league’s most lethal outside hitter tandems.

Young Blood: Malaluan and Perolino Add Energy and Depth

Before Bavykina’s arrival, PLDT had already bolstered its lineup with two exciting young recruits: De La Salle University’s Alleiah Malaluan and Enderun College’s Zenneth Perolino.

Malaluan, a three-time UAAP seniors finalist and Season 85 champion, brings both skill and leadership to the team.

“Our goal is to become champions and build stronger connections. Fans can expect me to be a dependable teammate—someone ready to step up whenever the team needs me,” she said.

Meanwhile, Perolino, one of the first non-UAAP/NCAA players selected in the PVL Draft, shared her excitement about transitioning to the pros.

“It’s a good kind of pressure. I’m learning a lot from Coach Rald and my teammates. They’ve been patient and supportive as I adjust to a new system.”

A Tested Core Ready for a Grand Slam Run

The new additions join a powerhouse core that has already proven itself on multiple fronts:

Kath Arado – Team captain and multi-awarded libero, named Best Libero and Finals MVP in the PVL Invitational.

Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron, and Dell Palomata – A towering middle blocker trio dominating at the net.

Kim Fajardo and Kianna Dy – Veteran playmakers and offensive anchors with championship pedigree.

With this mix of experience and fresh energy, PLDT has crafted a balanced, high-speed roster that thrives on teamwork, efficiency, and grit.

“Fans can expect us to give our best in every training and every game,” Coach Ricafort shared. “This conference is tough, but we’ll continue to work hard and make our supporters proud.”

Support the PLDT High Speed Hitters

Armed with global talent, homegrown stars, and the unwavering “pusong PLDT” spirit, the High Speed Hitters are poised to make the 2025 Reinforced Conference their ultimate statement season.

Catch the team in action at the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference 2025 and follow their journey on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok (@pldthighspeedhitters) for the latest updates.

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Tagaytay Medical Center: Tales of Love, Care, and Commitment During the Taal Volcano Eruption

Tagaytay Medical Center: Tales of Love, Care, and Commitment During the Taal Volcano Eruption

Wednesday, February 12

How do you help others when you are also in need of help?

The eruption of the Taal Volcano last January 12, 2020 has affected the lives of the Filipinos not just in Batangas but also in the nearby provinces like Tagaytay City in Cavite and some areas in Laguna. I could not believe that the ash fall reached us in Rizal. I can only imagine how worst the situation was at the site of the eruption. While the people in Manila were amused (and concerned) with the dust and scrambling to hoard on face masks, the people in Batangas were running for their lives and leaving behind their homes and belongings. They were tired, hungry, afraid, and uncertain of what the coming weeks will bring.

The world doesn't stop for the people who are in healthcare. It is during these trying times when they are needed the most. The doctors, nurses, and staff  have to attend to the need of others even though most of them were also the victim of the calamity.

In Helping Others, You Help Yourself

Tagaytay Medical Center (TMC)  is the closest of the Mount Grace Hospitals, Inc. (MGHI) to Taal Volcano. TMC was at the center of emergency efforts to help those affected by the calamity. Even before the eruption, TMC has already been the hospital of choice for Tagaytay residents and tourists because of its comprehensive array of medical specialties.

The Taal eruption has tested the commitment of TMC and the hospital did not disappoint. They gave more than what was expected. The health workers thought more about the welfare of the patients and how to keep everybody safe. Dealing with a surge in patients admitted at the hospital while being swayed by earthquakes and power interruptions can be unnerving. But amid the challenges they were facing, TMC has maintained its composure. 

"Unang-unang pumasok sa isip ko is safety namin lahat. Safety ng pasyente, mga staff at syempre ng family ko. Iniisip ko kung paano ba naming maiilipat ng matiwasay ang pasyente."

Luther Melodias is one of the ER Nurse at TMC who was on duty on January 12. He said the scenario on that fateful day was very scary, stressful and traumatic. He prayed for the safety of everyone and put his trust in his colleagues.

In times of tragedy, the stories of those who help others are not just inspiring but also brings a sense of being connected to others and gives deeper meaning and purpose to the profession as healthcare professionals.

The Commitment to Serve

"I was honestly preoccupied with the safety of our patients at that time, especially those admitted in the ICU. I was also thinking of how I would respond to the situation given the unpredictability of the calamity."

Dr. Francis Olaso is an ER doctor on duty and has to make critical decisions. "We made sure that critical patients under ICU department would be transferred first", Dr. Olaso shared. The safety of the patients is non-negotiable. With the alert level 4 status, ambulances from TMC and other MGHI hospitals began transferring patients (especially ICU cases). 

The MGHI South Cluster hospitals have displayed how working together can reach more people in need. The Tagaytay Medical Center (TMC), Westlake Medical Center (WMC), and HealthServ Los Baños Medical Center (HSLB) joined forces to complement each other's resources to provide the best healthcare possible during the calamity. They have set an example of how hospitals should respond to disasters if a natural calamity strikes major urban areas. 

Caring Never Stop

The helping and caring go beyond the confines of the hospital. Many residents need medical consultation for skin allergies, minor wounds, and respiratory illnesses. A week after the volcanic eruption, TMC and other members of the South Cluster group have conducted relief operations and medical missions in the affected communities. 

It will take a while for the residents of Batangas to live a normal life. But knowing that there are generous people and TMC healthcare professionals who remain dedicated to their call of duty are enough reasons to calm their hearts.

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Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.

Friday, April 25

last april 17, we celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. it's true that you don't recognize how swiftly time passes by if you are enjoying every moment of it. four years and we are still enjoying having the house all by ourselves. we do yearn to have a bundle of joy soon and create some chaos to our deafening silent house (haha!!).

i always get the same reaction from people whenever they get to know our love story. they would ask, "how long have you been together before deciding to get married?" with much pride, i'll tell them, " he became my boyfriend when i was 15. we got married when we were 27."

"amazing", is all they could utter.

"continuous?, how did you manage?"

and i'll say, " breaking up was never an option. issues are meant to be resolved."

one question that i always get and still do not know how to answer is, "how did you know that he is the one?"

i actually asked him how did he know that i am the one meant for him. he said, when he saw me, he saw me as the perfect person to be the mother of his children. haha! i don't know, is that something sweet? anyways, let me put it this way. he saw his future with me. now, that's sweet.

and in my case, how did i know it's him i should spend the rest of my life with?

hmm, i actually prayed to God that if ever He would let me in a relationship, i want to marry the first person i fall in love with. i must admit, i'm a hopeless romantic.

then i got a weird dream.

you see, we were in the same school since kinder but we were both unaware of each other's existence. it was only in junior high that we became classmates. we were not supposed to be classmates but due to divine intervention or my stubborness (i think it's the latter), i refused to sit on my original class section because i have no friends there. without the permission of the class advisers i insisted that i want to belong to the section where we ended as classmates. i still was unaware of his existence (i'm a snob!) until i dreamt of him.

in my dream, he was waiting for me by the door during dismissal. we were supposed to walk to the parking lot together.

i woke up asking myself why on earth i had that dream. and who was that guy?

then i noticed that this "guy" has been absent for a week. with lack of something worthy to do, i asked my friend who was in charge of attendance who the guy was, why he's been absent for almost a week, where he sits.

that got me aware that a certain lenin exists.

and that was the guy in my dream.

then he returned to class. found out he got sick. began to notice him.

and hate him.

why?

he's so good in class.

he's a rival.

and i'm no match.

he's way too good.

then i don't know what got into me, i transferred to a seat next to him. i stayed for a few minutes. he mentioned something funny, i laughed.

we've been sharing laughs since then. (and occasional fights)


june 29, 1992.

how many months since then?

lots.

more to come.

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You Treated Me Right And So Did He. It's The Dilemna I Face In The Game Of Three

You Treated Me Right And So Did He. It's The Dilemna I Face In The Game Of Three

Friday, February 15

You were my first.

I was feeling a little foolish then and was with so much curiosity. I must admit I was kinda nervous at first because I do not know if this will ever work out.

But you were just perfect for me.

It felt like we have known each other for ages. I need not find my way around. You showed me the way in a manner that seemed like I have known where every path will take me.

You offered me your pages, and I filled them with my innermost thoughts. You know my darkest secret, my deepest fear, my cuts that won't heal. We shared my happiest moment, my triumphs, my fall.

I have met others along the way. Not that I have intentionally searched for somebody else to take your place. They seem to offer me something I have been looking for. Although I am not really sure what I am looking for. Some were able to lure me. Fooled me many times. But I always find myself returning to my first love. Realizing that I still yearn for you.

Then I met him. 

He was everything you are and more. I found myself trying to be with you as often as I am with him. But as days passed by, I know I am pouring out more of myself to him than with you. At times, I would tell myself that in a few months I'll grow tired of him and I'll be running back to your welcoming embrace. Like I always did.

He is passion. You are love. 

I do not want to give either up. But the rain of guilt is pouring down on me. It's flooding in and I could barely breath.

You must know by now though no one has told you.

I am falling too far.

I am falling too deep.

Soon, I will leave.

(a farewell to my tabulas. and you.)

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