MANILA, Philippines — "There's no such thing as we're not Filipino enough,"
That was the general sentiment of the Philippine women's national football team just a week after booking a historic spot in the FIFA Women's World Cup after criticism rose about the heritage of the team with most of the roster at the AFC Women's Asian Cup made up Fil-Foreigners.
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Some questioned the lack of homegrown talent on social media and tried to bring down the achievement of qualifying to the World Cup because of the team's make up.
"We're all Filipino, there's no such thing as we're not Filipino enough," US-based Kiara Fontanilla said in Sunday's press conference.
"I think people that are saying that are wrong... We're here to make a difference," she added.
Olivia McDaniel, who came out with a spectacular performance against Chinese Taipei in a penalty shootout to send the Philippines to the World Cup, shared the view of her teammate.
And while admitting that it was a bit hurtful to be questioned in that way, reiterated that the team was fully aware of who they are and their identity as a Filipino.
"It makes me feel bad, especially for some of the girls... Some people haven't been really accepting of [having Fil-Ams] but I think when you're Filipino, you're Filipino," McDaniel said.
"You don't need someone to tell you if you are, or you aren't. And I think these girls know that and we don't need someone to tell us... Because we know," she added.
Utility player Eva Madarang, meanwhile, said that having Filipino talent all over the world is actually a good thing, rather than a criticism, as some have said online.
"Having Fil-Ams is actually a good thing, because it shows how many Filipinos are around the world and don't get recognized... [The] Philippines is our hoem core, but we also have people to represent in other countries that do represent [us] but aren't able to live in the Philippines itself," she said.
'How can you doubt?'
Even the team's Australian coach Alen Stajcic shared his sentiments on the criticism.
Being a first-hand witness to the hard work his wards have been doing, Stajcic called the criticisms "upsetting".
"It upsets me, when you see the players at training, with how much passion they play with... How can you doubt? How can you doubt how much Filipino they are?," Stajcic said.
"It's really upsetting, that kind of question," he added.
Fortunately, the questions on the team's heritage remain fairly minimal with most of the country's football community lauding the team for their achievements.
After notching their best-ever finish at the AFC Women's Asian Cup, the Filipina booters brace for a busy year ahead with the SEA Games, AFF Women's Championship, and the Asian Games ahead of them.
The team plans to use the three tournaments as part of their 18-month preparation for the Women's World Cup set next year.