Got it from mama: Filipino athlete-mothers whose children also pursued sports

MANILA, Philippines – For some of the Philippines’ top athletes, sports runs in the blood, with many following in the footsteps of their parents who also excelled in competition.

In celebration of Mother’s Day, here are athlete-mothers whose children went on to pursue sports careers of their own

Lydia de Vega and Stephanie Mercado

Long before Stephanie Mercado-de Koenigswarter was born, her mother Lydia de Vega had already carved out a legendary athletics career. 

For much of the 1980s, Lydia stamped her class as Asia’s sprint queen by ruling the women’s 100m in the 1982 and 1986 Asian Games and capturing the women’s 100m and 200m gold medals in the 1983 and 1987 Asian Athletics Championships. 

Lydia, who also represented the Philippines in the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympics, gave birth to Stephanie in 1989, but she continued her dominance in the region even after as she won the last three of her nine Southeast Asian Games gold medals with triumphs in the 1991 and 1993 editions. 

later added three more Southeast Asian Games gold medals

Stephanie also excelled in sports as a volleyball player, helping the dynastic La Salle Lady Spikers win three UAAP championships.

One of the Philippines’ top outside hitters, Stephanie played for multiple clubs after her collegiate run, including in the Premier Volleyball League, before she transitioned into a career as a volleyball analyst. 

Stephanie remembers Lydia, who died in 2022 after a four-year battle with breast cancer, as a strict but loving mother.

“Our mom was a super disciplinarian, but her love for us was incomparable,” Stephanie told TV Patrol in 2022. 

Rizza Maniego-Eala and Alex Eala

Wherever Alex Eala competes, her parents Rizza and Mike are often in the stands.

Rizza and Mike have been a constant source of support for Alex, who has enjoyed immense success at the young age of 20 as she ranks among the top 50 female tennis players in the world.

Unknown to many, Rizza was also an athlete who donned the national colors.

A former national team swimmer, Rizza won a bronze medal in the women’s 100m backstroke in the 1985 Southeast Asian Games before she pursued a corporate career, eventually serving as chief finance officer of telecommunications giant Globe.

Now retired, Rizza spends her time following Alex around the world together with husband Mike.

That unwavering support has done wonders for Alex, who has developed into one of the biggest draws in the tennis following her historic feats over the past year, including a semifinal appearance in the 2025 Miami Open and a first-round victory in the 2025 US Open. 

“I want to thank her for being the amazing woman that she is and for helping me become the woman that I am,” Alex said as tribute for Rizza during International Women’s Day in March. 

Mozzy Ravena and Ravena siblings (Kiefer, Thirdy, and Dani)

Siblings Kiefer, Thirdy, and Dani Ravena were born to play sports.

They got their athletic genes not only from their father, former PBA player Bong, but also their mother, Mozzy, who was a standout volleyball player for the UST Golden Tigresses.

Mozzy won a couple of UAAP championships with UST in the late 1980s before she married Bong in 1991 and later on gave birth to Kiefer in 1993, Thirdy in 1996, and Dani in 1999. 

The Ravena siblings have flourished in sports just like their parents. 

Kiefer and Thirdy have suited up for Gilas Pilipinas and have taken their acts abroad as imports in foreign leagues, while Dani has played in the Premier Volleyball League for multiple seasons. Also, the three all won UAAP titles with Ateneo. 

As her three children grew up, Mozzy made it a point to be at their games. 

“It’s difficult but enjoyable,” Mozzy said in Filipino in a 2017 episode of ABS-CBN talk show Magandang Buhay when asked about being a parent of athletes. “It’s physically hard, especially if you have a job, you need to find time to watch their games. But the reward makes up for the exhaustion.” 

Doray Ellis and Kira Ellis

It’s no surprise why Kira Ellis thrives in triathlon — she got it from her mother Doray.

Only 19 years old, Kira stands as one of the Philippines’ brightest triathlon talents, having earning top honors in the 2025 European Triathlon Junior Cup in Latvia.

She also ended the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand as one of the most bemedalled Filipino athletes with five medals, striking two golds (all women relay and mixed team relay) and one silver (women’s individual) in triathlon and two silvers (all women relay and mixed team relay) in aquathlon. 

Kira’s talent was honed at an early age as she grew up watching Doray and father Mark compete in triathlon events. 

“We’re really addicted to the sport,” Doray told the Speaking of Money podcast. “Kira was born into triathlon. I was doing triathlon when she was conceived and everything.” 

“Growing up she would see us, train, race, go up to the podium,” Doray added. “She really grew up seeing triathlon as part of our day-to-day life.” 

Now, Doray serves as Kira’s coach and mom-ager. – Rappler.com