Jema Galanza and Ella De Jesus continue to remain strong as one of Philippine volleyball’s fan-favorite couples.
When we think of athlete couples, many pairs that might come to mind are two talented players who are from different sports, such as basketball and volleyball. Or, if the couple do play the same sport, they’re likely to play for rival teams.
But there’s also the relationship between Jema Galanza and Ella De Jesus, who went from teammates to lovers while playing for the highly dominant Creamline Cool Smashers. It’s quite a unique situation for this couple — but how exactly do they make it work?
“Well, ‘yung advantage niya is alam [ni Ella] ‘yung feeling ko, kapag may mga opinion ako about sa laro, so madali ako makakapag-open, and madali rin akong makakakuha ng comfort and if ever kailangan ko talaga ng support,” Jema told The GAME in a recent interview.
Ella believes that their relationship has taught them the value of compromise, especially when they come off contrasting performances. As she explains, a productive game for her might sometimes be accompanied by an off-night from Jema.
“Or pangit ‘yung laro ko tas maganda ‘yung laro niya,” Ella told The GAME in a separate interview, “So alam mo ‘yun? Hindi mo alam kung magiging masaya ka ba or iko-comfort mo ba?”
“Siguro natututunan na rin namin talaga na mag-compromise, na kahit anong mangyari, lagi lang din namin pinapakinggan ‘yung isa’t isa at the end of the day, and [alam namin] kung ano ‘yung nararamdaman ng bawa’t isa,” she added.
Ella De Jesus joined the Creamline Cool Smashers in 2020, which served as the introduction between her and Jema Galanza. Today, it’s been nearly two years since the cute couple first publicized their relationship on social media.
Professionalism, they said, is crucial to making this type of relationship work in the long run. In Ella’s words, it’s a matter of, “Hindi namin naiisip na kami kapag nasa training.”
“Lagi may time [para sa isa’t isa]! Pero pag volleyball, volleyball lang talaga, so alam niyo kung minsan maiinis ka, pero hindi mo kailangan personalin kasi as a teammate tayo,” adds Jema. “So ‘yun lang ‘yung mahirap dahil kailangan mong ibahin ‘yung relationship niyo at relationship niyo sa labas ng court.”
But once the game’s all said and done, it’s back to the sweet Jema and Ella we’ve come to know on social media and off the court.
“Ang happy kasi after ng game or after ng training, pagdating mo ng bahay, parang couple na kayo,” Jema says, with a hint of kilig. “Mapag-uuspan niyo na ‘yung kailangan niyo mapag-usapan, makakapag-chismis na kayo.”
Each other’s rock
When you’re an athlete, having a support system that understands the level of commitment and discipline to excel in your sport is a privilege. Perhaps this is why athlete-to-athlete couples tend to work, as a special level of understanding acts as the foundation of their relationship.
It’s no different for Jema Galanza and Ella De Jesus, who motivate each other to be the best version of themselves as volleyball players. More than shifting between partners and teammates is the constant uplifting of each other on the daily for the pair.
“Syempre lagi naman din siya ‘yung isa sa mga inspiration ko of course, and lagi rin siya ‘yung unang-unang naniniwala sakin. Kahit ako sa sarili ko kasi, minsan nagda-doubt,” Ella reflected.
Jema admits getting motivated by Ella’s presence alone, along with her natural trait as an energizer for the Cool Smashers.
“Grabe siya mag-hype, hype man siya, sila ni Toti [Carlos] kaya mag-friend siya. Tsaka sobrang idol ko siya kasi ang dami niya rin pinagdadaanan pero hindi mo siya makikita na may pinagdadaanan siya, alam mo ‘yun, ‘yung hirap siya. Mafe-feel mo sa kanya na iaangat ka niya kahit may dinadala din siya,” Jema said of her partner.
Having been together for quite some time now, both Jema Galanza and Ella De Jesus remain grateful for having each other by their side. As partners and teammates, the bond continues to grow stronger each day for the Creamline couple.
Ella had a short, but sweet reply to express her gratefulness for Jema: “Of course, araw-araw ko naman pinagpapasalamat ‘yan. So walang araw ako na gumising na hindi nagpapasalamat na [kasama ko siya].”
Jema, meanwhile, admits finding her “ideal partner” in the Cool Smashers’ libero and occasional wing spiker.
“Madami akong natutunan talaga sa kanya, parang nag-ibang anyo ako nung nakilala ko siya kasi sobra, grabe siya. Nag-click talaga kami, sobrang nagki-click,” Jema said, still with a hint of kilig. “Kaya nag-work ‘yung relationship and super happy kami kasi alam mo ‘yung pangarap ko na ideal partner mo ba, ganyan. So parang nasa kanya ‘yung hinahanap mo.”
Along with their love story as athletes, is a story of acceptance despite the stigma against same-sex relationships. Fortunately, both the Galanza and De Jesus households double as a safe space for Jema and Ella’s heartwarming relationship.
“Sobrang nagpapasalamat namin dahil ganon ‘yung setup, kasi alam naman natin na hindi lahat, ‘di ba, may ganong privilege. Kaya very thankful kami na we get to be ourselves around our families, alam namin, wala kami tinatago…Both families [know] and happy din kami na pati ‘yung families namin, both sides, they get along well,” Ella said of the matter.
Images from Jema Galanza on Instagram.