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Jema Galanza debuts an all-new hairstyle that’s got everybody talking.
Jema Galanza looked quite different during the Creamline Cool Smashers’ PVL on Tour quarterfinals victory against the Farm Fresh Foxies over the weekend.
Having played with a ponytail since the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference, Jema arrived at the Philsports Arena sporting a shorter hairstyle, reminiscent of some looks she pulled off in the UAAP with the Adamson Lady Falcons.
In an exclusive interview with The GAME, Jema shared that this particular style has long been on her bucket list.
“Nag–ganito na kasi ako [short hair] nung college, tapos ‘yung style ng hair ko ngayon, ‘yun talaga ‘yung gusto ko. Pero nung college kasi, hindi ko siya na-achieve,” Jema said after Creamline’s 25-19, 25-19, 26-24 sweep over the Foxies.
“So parang sabi ko kay Ella [de Jesus], try ko ulit ngayon kasi medyo okay na ‘yung hair ko, so try ko lang siya. And then medyo may kaba kasi syempre sobrang short ng hair na ginawa ko.”
More than being her consultant, Jema admits that her partner, Ella de Jesus, was a major inspiration in her choice to try out the shorter-than-usual style.
“Actually, siya [Ella] ang may gusto, gusto niyang mag-short hair ako. So wala namang type ng style, or type ng hair ang gusto niya. Basta short, gusto niya lang,” Jema explained. “So syempre ako, gusto [ko] siya na happy, so ayun. Parang nagkaroon lang din ako ng tiwala na sige, kaya ko mag-short hair.”
Jema is no stranger to switching up her looks every now and then. She previously bleached her hair during Creamline’s 2024 Invitational Conference run, before switching to an orange color to open the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.
Finally, Jema returned to her black hair midway through the All-Filipino tilt, before opting to cut it short later into the PVL on Tour. As she puts it, these constant changes are also an overall reflection of her personality.
“Parang nage-enjoy lang ako doon sa kung ano ‘yung gusto kong gawin sa hair ko, I think ‘yun ‘yung personality ko. Parang go ako sa mga opportunities,” she said.
As with any short hairstyle, Jema says her movements feel lighter when playing, while the current length means that maintenance duties will be less taxing.
“Sa ngayon, dini-discover ko pa ‘yung style ng hair ko sa game, but okay lang siya kasi sabi ko sobrang gaan sa feeling! Tapos wala akong iniisip mag-prepare, nilalagyan ko lang siya ng clip, may kaunting gel para hindi siya masyadong [magulo],” Jema explained. “So ang saya lang na magaan ‘yung feeling, tsaka mabilis ‘yung preparation kapag sa game tsaka training!”
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.