As Thea Gagate continues to shine in the spotlight, these are the things in her life that keep her grounded.
Thea Gagate, who was the first-ever top overall pick in the Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft, is finally about to make her much-awaited professional debut in the upcoming PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The former DLSU Lady Spiker will be entering her first PVL conference with her shining reputation. She is a UAAP Season 85 Women’s Volleyball Champion, a three-time Best Middle Blocker awardee, and an Alas Pilipinas player who was part of the historic AVC Challenge Cup bronze-medal finish. It doesn’t get a lot better for a rookie than this. And with a résumé this padded, fans expect her to shine with the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.
When The GAME asked Thea what her expectations were for her first PVL conference, a wide, playful smile spread across her face. “It’s going to be intense,” she said.
“Kasi, kumbaga, ngayon na nag-draft na, it’s kinda patas…So parang excited lang ako na makalaban ko yung mga dati kong batchmates, and excited lang talaga akong maglaro.”
But as she heads into her first season in the PVL, Thea is also reminiscent of her early beginnings in the sport, back when she didn’t even realize that pursuing volleyball could lead to a full-blown career.
Looking back, she revealed, “Hindi ko na-expect [becoming a professional]…Parang hindi ko alam na after how many years, this is gonna be life and magiging career ko na siya. So I’m just happy na pinagpatuloy pa rin ng younger self ko yung ganitong career.”
At 24 years old, Thea’s career is still ahead of her — yet she can already stand with pride at what she has achieved so far.
A message to young Thea
Back when Thea Gagate decided to prioritize volleyball over a potential career in modeling in Cebu, she didn’t yet realize that this sport could take her to the stardom she’s experiencing today. But now that she is about to achieve one of her biggest goals, to play in the PVL, she is proud that she overcame the hardships to make it to this point.
Reflecting on her younger self, Thea told The GAME, “[If I could send a message to my younger self], I’d say that I’m just happy na even though mahirap yung journey towards this successful career, thankful lang ako na hindi siya sumuko…
“I mean, mahirap yung pinagdaanan. Siyempre, parang yung life ko before. Of course, number one dun yung family. Hindi naman kaming pinagmalaki na mayaman, and at least with this career, I get to help them. Even for my parents, magbigay ako ng magandang pangarap sa kanila dati na hindi nila kayang itupad.“
Family is Thea’s biggest motivator as she consistently strives for success. As she expressed, they are among the sources of inspiration in her life that keep her grounded, even amidst all the praise and fame she has gained in her career.
Even when an arena full of fans is cheering for her, it’s her family’s presence that means the most.
“Yung family ko dun talaga yung palaging nandyan sa akin. Like, they always watch my games. So yung presence nila, ‘pag nakita mo, parang happy ka na dun. And when I feel down, I just think of them,” Thea remarked.
But her family members weren’t the only ones who got a shoutout in The GAME’s exclusive interview with Thea.
“And of course, yung boyfriend ko,” Thea added with a cheery smile, with her partner, UP Men’s Basketball Player Sean Alter, sitting just behind her out of earshot.
Now, all set and ready to make her first moves as a professional in the PVL, this rising star has reasons aplenty to make her mark.
Images taken by Kim Santos of KLIQ Inc.