Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30) — Volleyball superstar Jaja Santiago on Thursday confirmed she is now in the process of acquiring Japanese citizenship, but she is not yet closing her doors on playing again in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) anytime soon.
\”Pero actually wala pa naman siya, wala pang balita dun sa naturalization ko,\” Santiago told CNN Philippines’ Sports Desk.
[Translation: Actually, there’s still no update yet on my naturalization.]
\”So pwede pa talaga akong maglaro sa Chery if ever man kailanganin or siguro…basta malaman ko na pwede akong makauwi ngayong month na ito, pwede pa, kaya nila ako ni-lineup,\” she added.
[Translation: So, I could still play for Chery if necessary, or if I’m available to visit the Philippines again this month, that’s why I’m still part of the lineup.]
Philippine women’s volleyball team head coach Jorge de Brito in January said Santiago will not suit up for the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia as she is working on her naturalization. But she did not confirm it herself at that time.
The 6-foot-5 middle blocker was seen training with her local club team Chery Tiggo Crossovers last May in preparation for the PVL Invitational Conference.
Although she recently moved to JT Marvelous for the upcoming Japan V.League season, Santiago was still included in the Crossovers’ lineup.
The 27-year-old volleyball player shared that she is currently taking Japanese language lessons as part of the naturalization process and will take a language proficiency test soon.
But Santiago admitted it was not an easy decision for her to change citizenship for a better volleyball career.
\”Siyempre sobrang hirap kasi as long as gusto ko talagang maglaro for our country, for Philippine national team, pero siyempre tao lang naman tayo, nangagarap na taasan yung pangarap natin,\” she said.
[Translation: It’s very difficult for me because as long as I wanted to play for the country, for the Philippine national team, I’m just a human and I want to dream something big for myself.]
Despite her naturalization plans, the Japan V.League champion said that she will remain a Filipino by heart and by blood.
\”It doesn’t mean naman na sa Japan ako naglalaro, hindi na ako Filipino,\” Santiago said. \”Kumbaga I still represent our country, hindi nga lang Pilipinas yung flag ko dito, but in my heart, in my blood, and in my mind, I’m still a Filipino.\”
