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For Manvil “Manny” Billones, ice hockey isn’t just a sport. It’s a rush, a rhythm, and a reflection of pure adrenaline. 

Born on November 1, 1993, Billones has carved his path from the rinks of the United States to representing the Philippines in the international arena.

“I played a lot of sports, but hockey was the one that really caught my eye,” he shared. “I like the speed and how fast you can go on the ice, the flow of the game. There’s not that much stoppage. You just go out there, and how intense it is, you can hit, score, and it’s just a fun time.”

Billones, who studied at West Chester University in the U.S., found hockey a sport that matched his competitive fire. Now a forward for the Philippine Men’s National Ice Hockey Team, he carries with him both skill and pride every time he dons the national jersey.

“It’s an honor, really—and just pride,” he said when asked what it means to represent the country.

The team, a mix of veterans and new faces, continues to evolve each season. “There’s a lot of new players, veterans and new guys. It’s a different dynamic,” he explained. “But we’re going to blend better, practice more, and it’s going to be a great time together.”

As one of the team’s experienced players, Billones sets his sights on progress. “Our goal is to get promoted every year, to reach a higher level every time,” he said. “We don’t want to stay on the same level. We just want to improve every time and try to get medals in any tournament we play.”

Off the ice, Billones is as laid-back as he is competitive. “I like to golf,” he admitted with a grin. “But other than hockey, I like to sleep a lot.”

When asked what he wants Filipinos to appreciate about ice hockey, Billones encourages fans to look beyond the usual courts and fields. “It’s not just the main sports like basketball or volleyball,” he said. “You should go out and watch a new sport. Seeing the speed, how fun it is, and the intensity, it’s just a good time.”

And for young Filipinos curious to give hockey a shot? Billones keeps it simple: “Just come to MOA and try it out. Even if it’s just public skating, you never know, you might fall in love with it like us.”

From the ice rinks of West Chester to the cold confines of the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Manny Billones continues to embody the grit and passion of Filipino athletes proving that no climate can cool the fire of national pride.

For Steven Füglister, ice hockey isn’t just a sport, It’s a lifelong passion that began on the frozen rinks of Zurich, Switzerland, and now thrives thousands of miles away in the tropics of the Philippines.

Born on January 25, 1986, Füglister grew up surrounded by the sport. “In the neighborhood I grew up in, all the kids played hockey,” he recalled. “So I naturally wanted to join. All my friends played, and the love just evolved from there.”

That childhood fascination became a lifelong commitment. Today, Füglister proudly serves as center and captain of the Philippine National Ice Hockey Team, a squad that continues to defy expectations in a country more associated with beaches than blades.

Representing the Philippines on the international stage, he says, is an experience that never loses its meaning. “It’s always a big honor,” he shared, reflecting the pride he feels wearing the national colors on his jersey.

This year’s roster features many new faces, but that doesn’t faze Füglister, who’s long been a steadying force for the team. “We have a lot of newcomers who joined the men’s national team, so we’re trying to gel, include everyone, and form a new team, basically,” he said. That sense of unity is what fuels their drive, especially with competitions like the Southeast Asian Games in sight.

Fuglister’s personal goal remains simple yet powerful: “Become better every day and, as a team, be successful at the SEA Games.”

“Off the rink, life is just as busy. I have three kids, so they keep me busy,” he said with a smile. “I’m trying to get my twin boys excited for hockey and maybe they’ll one day share the same passion for the game. When I’m not at the rink, I love spending time with my wife, travel and focusing on business. “

While ice hockey may still be growing in popularity in the Philippines, Füglister believes it’s only a matter of exposure before Filipinos embrace the sport’s intensity. “It’s something not really ordinary here,” he admitted. “But once you come to the rink and watch the game, it’s really exciting—the speed, the grit, and the action.”

And for those curious to give the sport a shot, his advice is straightforward: “Go to the SM Skating Rinks, try public skating, and maybe at one point, try hockey.”

From Swiss beginnings to Southeast Asian glory, Steven Füglister embodies the spirit of passion, perseverance, and pride. Under his leadership, the Philippine ice hockey team continues to prove that even in a tropical country, champions can be forged on ice.

When you think of Philippine sports, ice hockey might not be the first thing that comes to mind but for BJ Imperial, it’s been his lifelong passion and purpose. 

Born on February 23, 1999, and a proud graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, Imperial now anchors the blue line as a defenseman for the Philippine National Ice Hockey Team.

His journey into the sport began with a touch of family influence. “I first started playing ice hockey when my cousins, who grew up in the States, moved back to the Philippines when they were in college,” Imperial recalled. “I was around four or five years old then. They liked to play hockey back in the U.S., so when they came back, I just wanted to tag along.”

At first, those games played on the streets were simple, playful sessions that sparked a lifelong love for the game. It wasn’t until age 12 that Imperial first laced up his skates on real ice, marking the beginning of his serious pursuit of the sport.

Representing the country, he says, is a feeling like no other. “It’s something that I really take pride in, he shared. I tell my friends, I don’t think you’ve ever sung the national anthem like I have. It’s a different kind of pride when you play for your country.”

That sense of pride extends to his teammates, with whom he shares a strong brotherhood forged through hard work and shared sacrifice. “Within the team, I think it’s a really close bond because you go through a lot of things together, the struggles of training, competing against other countries, and taking pride in what you’re doing,” he said.

For Imperial, winning is always the goal, but it’s not the only one. “Aside from winning, I guess it’s also to encourage the next generation. We hope that hockey doesn’t stop with our team. We hope that it continues for the next generation.”

When he’s not patrolling the rink or studying game tapes, Imperial trades his hockey stick for a golf club. “When I’m not playing hockey or watching hockey, I like to play golf,” he said with a smile.

And for young Filipinos curious about trying ice hockey, his message is simple but heartfelt: “Don’t be intimidated. It’s a sport that’s not really famous for a tropical country, but just come out and join us.”

For BJ Imperial, the ice may be cold, but his passion burns bright. A proof that even in a tropical nation, dreams can glide and goals can shine under the rink lights.

When Jann So Tiong first stepped onto the ice, it was not competition that greeted him, it was curiosity. What began as a casual public skating session with his parents soon turned into a lifelong passion.

“We happened to run into one of my mom’s college friends whose son played ice hockey,” he recalled. “They let me try it, and I just soon grew to love it.”

Born on February 1, 2002, Jann is a solid defenseman for the Philippine Ice Hockey Team. What drives him most is not personal glory, but the privilege of representing his country on the international stage.

“In one word, it’s honor,” he said. “You don’t always get the opportunity to represent your country. I take so much pride and honor in playing for the Philippines.”

For the University of Santo Tomas product, the team is not just a group of athletes, it is family.

“We are all different in terms of age,” he explained. “There are older ones we look up to like kuyas, and younger ones too. Our coaches and team manager are like fathers or titos.”

The family-like bond goes beyond camaraderie; it was built on accountability and respect. 

“Even the younger ones can call out the older ones if something’s wrong,” he said. “We keep each other accountable, whether it’s about discipline or teamwork.”

This close-knit culture, he believes, is what fuels the team’s growth and strengthens their unity on ice.

As one of the national team’s rising defensive anchors, Jann has his eyes set on both personal and team achievements. 

“Of course, I want to help the country move up divisions in our world championship ranking,” he shared. “And I want to bring pride to the Philippines by winning medals, whether in the SEA Games or other tournaments.”

Individual recognition would be nice, he admitted, but it is not his main goal. 

“I’d rather get a gold medal for the country than any personal award,” the San Juan native said, reflecting his team-first mindset.

Outside of hockey, Jann enjoys a grounded, family-oriented life. “When I’m not at the rink, I’m either working out or spending time with my family,” he said. “I also like trying different things—new food, new activities. I just like experiencing new things.”

His passion for the game, however, always shines through. When asked what message he would give to anyone curious about hockey, his response was simple and inspiring:

“It can be scary at the start, since you’re on skates and on ice, but if you give it a try, you’ll like it. It’s something you don’t see every day, and once you try it, you’ll realize it’s easier than you think.”

From a young skater in San Juan to a national team defenseman, Jann So Tiong’s journey is one marked by passion, discipline, and national pride. His story reflects the heart of Philippine ice hockey itself, tight-knit, resilient, and always ready to defend the country’s colors with pride. 

When François Gautier first laced up his skates more than three decades ago, he never imagined that a Hollywood film would spark a lifelong passion that would eventually take root thousands of miles away—in the Philippines.

Like many of the country’s first-generation hockey players, Gautier discovered the sport through the classic Mighty Ducks movie.

“I tried several sports when I was a kid, and when I tried hockey, I just fell in love with it,” he recalled. “Never looked back.”

Today, the 41-year-old goaltender proudly wears the Philippine colors on the international stage, a role he describes as both honor and a privilege. 

“It’s something special,” he said. “When you wear the flag, you just want to do your best for your country.”

Born in Toulouse, France, Gautier returned to the Philippines in 2005 and quickly became part of the small but passionate hockey community. He says the national team's culture is built on unity amid diversity.

“We have a lot of different backgrounds,” he explained. “Some are half French, half Swiss, half Swedish. But when we step on the ice, we’re all family. We have each other’s backs.”

Despite varying ages and careers, some players are students, others are working professionals or parents, the bond among teammates remains strong. “When we are at the rink, it is like we leave everything else behind. It is just us and the game,” he added.

Outside of hockey, Gautier enjoys spending time with his family. 

“Nowadays, I just like to stay home with my kids,” he said. “Our schedule is pretty demanding, especially with two big tournaments coming up, so downtime is precious.”

With three international championships on the horizon, Gautier balances his on-ice duties with his responsibilities as a father. A testament to the dedication shared by many Filipino ice hockey players who juggle passion and personal life.

Ask Gautier what makes hockey special, and his eyes light up. “It is the greatest sport in the world,” he declared. “You’ve got speed, intensity, and heart. It’s like three or four sports combined.”

The Lycée Saint-Charles product also draws an amusing comparison to basketball, the Philippines’ national obsession.

“I know Filipinos love basketball,” he said, smiling. “But in hockey, we’ve got blades on our feet, and I’m stopping pucks going a hundred miles an hour, sometimes hitting my head.”

For Gautier, hockey players are “warriors.” Unlike other sports, he says, “We pretend not to hurt just to keep playing.”

His message to aspiring players? “Come by, give it a try. Whether you are young or older, we will teach you. Put on a pair of skates, we will show you how to fly out there.”

Now guarding the net for the Philippine Men’s National Ice Hockey Team, Gautier has come full circle in his athletic journey. 

“I used to be a defenseman for 30 years,” he said. “Now, I am a goalie and [I’m] loving it.”

Gautier has spent the last two decades helping grow the sport in his adopted home. His story is one of passion, perseverance, and pride. A reflection of how far Philippine ice hockey has come, and how much further it can go.