TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Before the roaring applause, the gratifying cheers, and fans clamoring for autographs, Hergie Bacyadan was a young girl helping her uncle carry sacks of rice in Tabuk City, Kalinga to support her schooling. Today, she stands proud as the first Olympian from the iKalinga tribe.
Born in Taloctoc, Tanudan, Hergie shared her inspirational journey with her fellow Kalingas on September 9, recounting her struggles and triumphs. As a student at Southern Central School in Bulanao, Hergie already identified as male, even though she was biologically female. Her exceptional strength and ability to perform tasks typically done by men hinted at her remarkable potential.
However, school life was tough. Constant bullying from boys led to frequent fistfights, which distracted her from her studies. To escape the torment, she moved to Manila with her parents to continue her education.
But the financial strain on her family, with three siblings already in college, pushed Hergie to return to Tabuk. She lived with her uncle, helping him with manual labor while finishing her Bachelor of Science in Criminology.
Hergie vividly remembers helping her uncle lift 50 sacks of rice, impressing onlookers with her strength. “Babae dayta, baka kunam nga lalaki,” she recalled her uncle proudly boasting to the men.
Her physical prowess didn’t go unnoticed. She was invited to train with Jude Saclag, where she sparred against men and won. This led to her recommendation to join the National Wushu team in Manila, where she quickly gained recognition by defeating a national team athlete after just two weeks of training.
Her journey with the national team opened doors to international competitions, where she faced tougher opponents, often sparring against men. This experience made her resilient, as she explained, “Agdara agung ko, agva-violet iti sakak,” meaning she had become accustomed to the blows men landed on her, making her stronger and more durable in the ring.
Her hard work paid off. Hergie won gold in the 2022 Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament and secured the first Philippine gold in the World Vovinam Championships in 2023.
Despite her achievements, Hergie faced numerous personal struggles. In an emotional moment during her speech, she admitted to her ‘kailyans’ that she once lost faith in herself and even considered quitting combative sports. She mentioned some “kalokohans” that could have ended her career, but with the unwavering support of her family and loved ones, she persevered.
Her determination led her to a defining moment in her career: a qualifying match for the 75kg women’s boxing category at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Hergie’s victory against Venezuela in the second world qualifying match solidified her belief that everything she endured was worth it.
Throughout her career, Hergie has always been proud of her Kalinga heritage. She would perform the ‘sang-ni,’ a traditional Kalinga dance, every time she scored or won a match, proudly showcasing her roots.
“Haan nga maikkat kanyak nga I’m from Kalinga, from Taloctoc,” she declared, emphasizing her deep connection to her homeland.
Although she didn’t bring home a medal from the 2024 Olympics, Hergie felt victorious due to the overwhelming support from her kailyans. The warmth she received from her community, even while still in Paris, made her feel like a champion.
“This achievement is not mine. It is the culmination of the collective spirit of our people, our tradition, and the lessons passed down from our ancestors,” Hergie concluded in her heartfelt message.
After her vacation in Kalinga, Hergie will resume training to prepare for her upcoming kickboxing match in Cambodia next month. By Jesse Maguiya
