Equal Playing Field

A Little Bit of Softness in Masculinity

 By Mira Syam

 A feminine touch in the masculine world. These worlds would best described Chris Cuarto's opinion on women sports writers. As a Philippines Tennis Association Head Coach, he often being interviewed by one. “The men (writers) are more on hard information, but the women are more on your emotions and attitude.” 

Kristel Satumbaga, is one of Cuarto's most frequent interviewers. This Manila Bulletin's  journalist is among the 15 women sports writers working in Philippines' national print media. “In total, there are 60 sports writers,” she said.

Kristel on a coverage

Being a minority, not rarely did she encounter obstacles on duty.  Awkwardness of being in males locker room is not new to her. However, she managed to get the information she needed despite the privacy boundaries. “Unless the authorities forbid, sometimes I tugged along with the male writers to get inside the locker room,” said the 28 years old journalist.

“ I want to break the stereotype that only men can write sports”

Satumbaga thinks the small number of female sports journalists is not a major problem since sports has long been dominated by male,  as fashion is by female. The real issue is women are having less interest in sports writing. “I want to break that stereotype that only men can write sports.”

She has tips for newbies. One has to separate herself from being a fan and a journalist.  “If you want to gain respect from the athletes and stay longer in the industry, you have to show them that you are not typical female groupies or fans. You need to convince them of your passion for the work.”

Facts on women sports journalism

• The latest report from Women's Media Center  showed in 2011 only 10 %  of all sports columnists in US are women
• In 1978, US federal court granted equal access for women covering sports, including access to male locker room
• A  2011 survey by Women in Journalism shows only 3 % of sports journalists in UK are women
• No official data about numbers of women sports journalists in Asia

I'm not a fan, it's just about work

By Pabitra Raut

Kristel Satumbaga

She certainly came while we Agie, Custer, Mira and myself were preparing some questions to ask about the experiences of women as sports writers. And 'Oh my god! She looks so young!' I was murmuring to myself as Kristel Satumbaga, a 28 year old woman journalist of Manila Bulletin was approaching our table. 


She is a such rare a species being among the 15 women sports journalists out of 60 or so sports journalist in the Philippines.  '"May be just because of difficulties of going to field and work with totally men-friendly environment, women are less interested to get engaged in sports writing' she quipped.

 Is there any obstacle to get sources while collecting information? It was Mira's turn to ask her question. 'Of course….!' in a more mature tone. "What happen once in my beginning days, I was so young and a player didn't even believe that I was a reporter doing my job. That time a famous college basketball player denied to talk to me, because he thought that I was pretending to be a journalist just to get a chance to meet him" she told us.

Philip Younghusband

I was wondering that she must be discouraged. But the case was different. She moved further on and became a well-known sports writer. Now, she is more focused on it encouraging young girls to follow her footsteps.

Athletes may think of you as a fan even though it is just all about work, warned Satumbaga. "It's natural. The trick is, that you do not show it" she suggested. "After I finished interviewing Philip and James Younghusband, Philippine's famous and handsome football players, I entered the bathroom…and blasted my feelings….Oh…I'm dying…..Phil was so handsome..! She opened her little secret to us.  "Hmmm…." I said to myself, I felt that way, too while I interviewed the Philippines' football team back in Nepal for the AFC Challenge Cup.

Common chill….! We both are not fans, but well…it's just about work!

No Rookie in the playing field

By Agnes Daisy Laigo

Among the six sports writers of the Manila Bulletin, Kristel Satumbaga is the only woman. She considers herself no longer amateur in sports writing at age 28. She started her career as Sports Correspondent in April 2003 a month after her internship with the Daily Tribune and later was absorbed by the newspaper company after graduating from University of Sto. Tomas in 2004. She was then paid per article.

Kristel beating the deadline

In 2006, she joined the Manila Bulletin and is still connected there to this date as a sports writer. Although she is no longer a rookie in the field of sports writing she has a long way to go, she said. 

The field she has chosen is dominated by men but this does not deter her from keeping up with them. She always stands on her ground and delivers what is expected of her.

Beating deadlines is an everyday routine for her; she said she’s sometimes on a panic mode. It’s something that Kristel have yet to master.        

 She has covered various sports events, and tennis is her fave, although she admitted she does not play the game. She studied the language of the said sports and so with all other games that might be assigned to her by his editor. A coffee lover and has good appetite for food and books.  

Aside from sports writing she is also fond of fiction writing. She is currently on assignment to cover the Shakey’s Women’s Volleyball League. Aside from covering sports events and writing the stories, Kristel also contribute feature articles for the company's Sports Magazine.

Let them play  

By Custer C. Deocaris

Advocates for women in sports need to be ready to challenge sexist attitudes.  Despite the machismo culture in sports, for sports writer Kristen Satumbaga, what inspired her to be one of few professional sports writers in the country was her experience in school PE. She fondly mentions watching military father playing volleyball every weekend. “I started loving sports by watching my father’s play. He was good at volleyball and I often play with him in my home” she said.

Kristel and her dad

An alumnus of Canossa Academy in Batangas, Satumbaga recounts how PE was made interesting and fun during grade school. She also remembers that whenever it rains her teachers would bring students inside the classrooms to continue their games.  If the field was wet, they were made to enjoy board games. “PE was not taken for granted” she remarked.

Sadly, things have changed through the years.  Now, PE is no longer given the attention it deserves by DepEd. Computer games have replaced physical and social activities of kids.

Sports education is also more focused on the “masculine” values of over-competitiveness and aggression instead of the more humanistic values, such as fair play and cooperation. 

Fewer girls are joining sports events as students always say in the bleachers “PE lang yan!” (It is only PE!)”

                                                                   THANK YOU!

                                                                       Group 5

                                                       AGIE/CUSTER/MIRA/PABU