Recommended Video
Buds Buddin is on track to be part of Alas Pilipinas’ historic FIVB Men’s World Championship debut.
Long before making his name in volleyball, Michaelo “Buds” Buddin was once a young dreamer in the sun-scorched streets of Palawan who tried his hand at several sports, including basketball, swimming, athletics, table tennis, and even billiards.
Volleyball, though, has always been part of Buds’ upbringing, as his dad was a former player whose dreams were unfortunately cut short due to a foot injury. As a kid, Buds was used to hearing stories of his dad’s dream to play in the big leagues.
“Exposed ako [to volleyball] dahil sa papa ko, kasi nagkukwento siya ng story niya. Kasi ‘yung harap ng bahay namin, may sementado kasi doon tapos nung lumaki ako, hindi ko naabutan na dati palang volleyball court ‘yun! Sabi ni papa, ‘Ayan, volleyball court ‘yan. Project ng tito mo noong nag SK [Sangguniang Kabataan] Chairman siya’,” Buds told The GAME in an interview back in April.
However, it wasn’t until eighth grade that Buds truly fell in love and placed his full focus on the sport.
“Grade 8 ako nag-Puerto [Princesa], dun ko na sinapuso ‘yung volleyball talaga,” Buds recalled. “Lahat ng sports talagang inalis ko sa sarili ko, talagang doon ako nag-focus sa volleyball.”
“Doon ko na parang minahal eh. Kasi araw araw ako nagti-training, parang ‘Ay! Dito ako masaya eh, parang dito talaga ako dinala ng pangarap ko sa papa ko’.”
Little did teenage Buds know how fulfilling this path would be in the long run.
‘Once in a lifetime’
Many years after realizing his love for volleyball, Buds Buddin has blossomed into a three-time champion with National University in the UAAP, and has since solidified himself as a key piece of Alas Pilipinas under head coach Angiolino Frigoni.
Today, Buds is now vying for a roster spot in the Philippines’ historic debut at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championships starting this September 12.
“Syempre, once in a lifetime na ‘yung ganitong opportunity sa akin, at syempre, iba ‘yung impact sayo kasi World Championship na. First time din makasali ‘yung Pilipinas sa ganitong klaseng tournament, and at the same time, host pa tayo,” Buds reflected during the MRT Go Live! event last September 3.
“Siguro kung papalarin ako na ma-lineup, siguro gagawin ko lang palagi na 100 percent best ko na makapag-perform at makapag-contribute lang sa team.”
If Buds does get the World Championship call-up, then it will be the perfect culmination to his national team journey, which was nearly derailed by a right-hand fracture. From the uncertainty of fulfilling his dream, the outside spiker could now be days away from proving his worth on such a grand stage.
As the icing on the cake, Buds could also get the chance to play with both of his idols, Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, who are expected to lead Alas in the World Championships.
“Nung [2024] SEA V.League, kami lang ni Kuya Bryan, noong pangalawa, kami lang ni Kuya Marck ang magkasama, so laging kulang eh,” Buds recalled. “At ngayon, kasama ko ‘yung dalawa, so sobrang happy ako.”
“Kasi dati iniidolo ko sila, inspiration ko sila. Pangarap ko lang dati na makasama sila at ngayon dream come true. Siguro iche-cherish ko lagi every moment na makasama sila sa Worlds.”
Like his teammates, Buds also hopes that the World Championships will lead to increased exposure and fanfare towards men’s volleyball in the Philippines.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy na itong klaseng tournament para mas dumami pa ‘yung sumusuporta sa men’s volleyball team. Alam naman natin ngayon na unti-unti nang nago-grow ‘yung family, ‘yung fans. So sana magtuloy tuloy lang.”
Banner images from the Philippine National Volleyball Federation on Facebook.