• A. V. DEL CARMEN
Crowds swarmed them with people of all ages, requesting to have photos and videos taken with them. Followers surrounded their van to wave, greet, get a glimpse or take photos from a closer view.
Social media posts came by the dozens for days, some with long messages of admiration.
The group at the center of the wide public following: the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts, the girls’ volleyball team.
Apparently, one player in particular, Brianna Nikola Ang, 16, named Best First Middle Blocker at the regional meet held last week in Antique, was the main attraction.
Secondary girls’ volleyball was the biggest crowd drawer among ball games in the regional Palaro, also because the host team played – for the title for the first time in so many years – against the reigning Palarong Pambansa titlist, which is looking forward to its third straight championship trophy in the Vigan Palaro this year.
To say that the team took the town by storm is not an overstatement. “The team was literally mobbed,” a Negros delegation member said.
So wide was their following that officials had to detail police officers to ensure order and safety.
Yes, volleyball was the crowd favorite at WVRAA Meet 2025. “Mas raku nga mga taho ang nagalantaw kang volleyball kaysa basketball rugya,” an Antiqueño was overheard in a video clip showing a flock of curious followers as they waited for the Tay Tung players outside the covered court in Sibalom town, where the qualifying games were held. Sibalom is located 16 kms. from the capital town of San Jose.
The Provincial government and the PDRRMC later moved the girls’ championship match to the Binirayan Gym in San Jose “for the safety of both athletes and spectators”.
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Brianna, who stands 5’10”, is the eldest of the two children of businessman Nathaniel Ang and wife, Mary Irmin “Minmin”, a former ramp model and now an account manager for a U.S.-based online company and also a spinning coach for an indoor cycling program of the Power Zone Fitness Arena.
Brianna’s sister, Czarina, is following her footsteps as a volleyball player. At 12 years old, she stands almost 5’5” and is also a Tay Tung track athlete.
At present Brianna is on her 11th grade.
She started her basic education at St. John’s Institute and, after completing the seventh grade, moved to Tay Tung, where she has been an honor student and a member of the school band.
The young Ang is a fine blend of Eastern and Western stock, her mother being a granddaughter of a Russian, who migrated to China and later to the Philippines, and married a Filipina.
A newly-converted follower posted a photo of the Tay Tung players in their van and captioned it in bold face, “TEAM TAY TUNG SOBRANG BABAIT TALAGA”, apparently in appreciation of Brianna and her teammates’ accommodation of public and media requests for souvenir shots and quick chats with them.
For those familiar with Brianna’s roots, the posted comment came as no surprise. The rising volleyball star’s grandfather, Serge Cherniguin, was an agriculturist who later became a labor leader known for his advocacy promoting the rights and interests of the labor sector, particularly sugar farm workers.
“I see her grandfather’s values in her being down-to-earth despite her fame at a young age,” said a media worker familiar with his life.
“I’m sure my parents would be proud of her if they were still around,” Minmin shared, adding:
“I instilled in my kids to always stay grounded. Wala gid na sila nagapili sang tao nga gina-atubang nila since they were small.”
The mother added: “We have instilled in them to always stay humble, because everything is temporary. No matter what fame one has at the moment, it will soon pass away, that’s why they have to use their voice and cause for good.”
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NEGROS WEEKLY interviewed Brianna through her mother’s accommodation.
Our Q&A with her:
Please describe yourself to someone who barely knows you.
Hello, I am Brianna Nikola Ang. I am someone you could trust and be open with. I am the type of person who would always support you along the way.
What is a typical weekend for you?
When I’m not in school, I’d be at my volleyball training. Aside from training, I’d be either at home or going out with my friends.
What is most fun about your high school life?
The fun thing about being in high school is exploring on how things work around you. I also find socializing very fun.
And what is most difficult about it?
The most difficult part of being a high school student is balancing tasks especially that I am an athlete as well.
If you weren’t a volleyball player, what sport would you be playing now?
If I weren’t playing volleyball, I’d either be continuing my swimming career or singing career.
Other than volleyball, what do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy exploring new places, listening to music, singing, dancing, playing the instruments (guitar & ukelele) and journaling.
Please tell something about your family.
A great thing about my family is that all of them – both sides of the family – are very supportive and loving. They give out the feeling that you’d never be left alone to struggle and that you could always count on them to help. My family is composed of very kind-hearted and warm people.
You have become so popular these days. How are you coping with this popularity?
Honestly speaking, I don’t really have anything to cope up with since nothing really has changed. I’m still myself and nothing will change, except the amount of gratitude I feel about this happening at the moment.
Who are the people you’d like to thank at this point in your life as an athlete?
First of all, I’d like to thank my family since without them, I wouldn’t be where I am at right now. I’d like to thank our team manager, Sir Jose Montalbo, for his support and for managing all of us with love and care.
Also I express my gratitude to Sir Philip Carpina, Gov. Bong Lacson, Sir Brian Tan and Sir Emmanuel Ma, for the undying support for the team as well.
Thank you, too, to my volleyball coaches and those in other sports/activities, for always supporting me, never giving up on me, and for seeing the potential I have as an athlete.
As a student?
I’d like to thank my teachers for never failing to help me explore and widen my knowledge; my friends and loved ones, for the undying support and for being the support system I have aside from my family, although I still consider all of you my family; and the people behind the operation of the school, for always making sure that we, students, are loved and safe.
What important life lessons have your parents instilled in you that you have found useful in your sporting and social life?
The most important life lesson my parents taught or have instilled in me is the mindset of never giving up and always staying humble. My parents have taught me at a very young age that I should be tough, unstoppable, while being teachable at the same time.
They have raised me to become independent and open to people no matter who they are, or where they come from, and that’s where being humble comes in. I was told that at the end of the day, we all remain the same no matter how many achievements we’ve accomplished, how many times we’ve failed, we’re all still imperfect humans.
These main values help me both in my sports and social life because these are the values that I could never lose growing up and these are what keeps my feet grounded.
What are your career plans?
I’d like to continue my passion in sports in college. After or during college, I aim to start earning and saving for the future. I aspire to become a lawyer or a successful business woman.
Your word of advise to younger volleyball players/athletes who look up to you as their model.
Something that I can say to the younger players/athletes is that always thirst for improvements, keep your character and personality positive, stay humble and grounded, and always be patient.
Success is really something that requires a long process before one reaches it. Please keep in mind to never forget the people who have helped you and have been there with you throughout the process. Stay being grateful.
What message would you like to share with the many followers you have on social media?
I’d like to thank everyone for all the support and love I have been receiving. Thank you for being part of our journey.
As a team, we strive to push each other to be better every day, and we hope to inspire you to do the same – whether in sports or in life. I hope you all are doing well and I wish for all of your successes. May God bless you all! | AVDelCarmen
