Hot Like Summer
Hello Summer!
Let’s start things off with a good ol’ game of bingo, Pinoy Summer edition.
Over the past few days, you have:
- Stepped out of the shower only to find yourself sweating after just a few seconds
- Brought out your trusty old electric fan and switched it on alongside your aircon just to get your ideal sleeping room temperature
- Cranked your car AC to its max setting which you probably haven’t used over the past couple of months
- Gulped down on your favorite fresh fruit juice with tons of ice
- Canceled on a weekend get-together just because you’d rather stay home, away from the scorching heat
Yes? Yes to all? None of the above? Hmm… that’s kinda sus. But whatever your answer, here’s some added heat we’re sure you wouldn’t mind.
Vanie Gandler is ALL-STAR’s April Issue female (hint hint) cover star. With our theme being Summer Body goals, naturally, we consulted our favorite group of people aka the Philippine Sports Internet as to which athlete best fits the bill.
Whether she’s making your heart thump from her powerful hits, or simply just by admiring her stature, Vanie Gandler has become a household name in sports-loving Filipino households. Vanie’s killer looks combined with her skills on the volleyball court have endeared her to fans of the game of volleyball and beyond. This, however, wasn’t always the case.
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Pros and Cons of Being in the Public Eye
Now 24 years old, Vanie shared during our conversation that she wasn’t always the media and crowd darling that she is today. Early in her collegiate career, she experienced something that no one can truly prepare for—she was heavily bashed when she played far from her best against their school’s archrival.
“When I was in my rookie year in Ateneo I was heavily bashed. For like a year or so I was lost I didn’t know what to do until I stood up and I told myself: you know what, this doesn’t define me.”
She was around 17 or 18 during this ordeal, and although it happened years ago, the experience clearly left a lasting mark—it still comes up today. At the same time, it’s something she has already moved past, now serving more as a reference point for how she has rebuilt herself into the person she is today.
Impressive and admirable—especially considering how she handled it all with such class and poise. It’s remarkable for someone so young, who was simply trying to pursue competitive sports, to carry herself that way through such an experience.
Speaking of competitive sports, the interest for women’s volleyball in the Philippines is at an all-time high. With a package as complete as hers, Vanie will surely continue to be under the watchful eye of the public as a professional volleyball player. Like any person who has been through their lot in life, you can clearly see that she has already learned to take the good with the bad.
“I’m really grateful and blessed. Like what you said earlier, the opportunities that we have today are endless.” Gandler shares when asked about what the best part of being a pro athlete is. “It’s my livelihood and aside from that its very fulfilling because we really get to inspire kids.” she adds as she goes on to share that they get messages everyday from random people saying how they’ve inspired people to work hard or to keep going.
Naturally, I asked, if she was also once that kid who was inspired by a volleyball athlete in her childhood days.
“Uhm..” she pauses and lets out a nervous laugh. “To be completely honest, no.” Vanie then goes on to talk about how she found inspiration through the opportunities and the doors that kept opening up for her through the game of volleyball. “I never really thought that I would make it this far — that volleyball would become my livelihood.” she shares.
I probed deeper and asked if it was because she also tried football in her younger days to which she gave a very relatable answer. “I joined the football camp one summer. I wanted to play football. But my brother was (playing) football that time and he was like I don’t wanna see you on the field.” typical brother.
Vanie’s Volleyball Career (so far)
There’s little doubt in my head that she could have also made it in football considering how athletically inclined she has always been but its safe to say that her shift to volleyball blossomed.
“I can’t really explain the feeling that you have when you’re playing on the court and you just forget about all of your problems. You’re just in total control of your life — of everything.” she says. Spoken like someone who’s truly in love with the game.
The game of volleyball has undoubtedly shown her love back. After all, she’s still in her early 20s but she’s already competed at the collegiate, the pro, and the international levels. We asked her to differentiate what playing for each level feels like and she could not have given a clearer and better answer.
She said that playing for Ateneo was all about school pride and bringing joy to the entire community — schoolmates and alumni alike. While playing for a pro team is motivated by the fact that its her job, her contract is on the line, and also touching on the fact that while they make a considerable amount as athletes, the window is also shorter as compared to other professions.
Playing for the country however is an entirely different story. “I was in Rizal memorial and it was sold out. Everyone was cheering for the Philippines and flags are everywhere! Wow! I’ve never felt this! Everyone is rooting for me. Its not just me and the team that we’re fighting for but its everyone in this country.”
During the same experience of playing for the national team, she shared that that’s when it hit her that there’s still a lot for her to pick up as she was not only competing against the best in the world during that tournament, she was also surrounded by the best volleyball players in the country. Two names merited a special shoutout from Vanie — fellow Blue Eagles Jia Morado De Guzman and Alyssa Valdez.
“One person that I was really in awe with was Ate Jia Morado De Guzman — arguably the best setter in the Philippines. She really brings out the best in you, not just skillwise, but also with the way she leads.”
“Of course Ate Ly, I think is in everyone’s list of idols. Its also not just by how she plays but her attitude towards the game and towards everyone. She’s so humble and she’s so helpful. She’s really an Ate.”
Asked what her goals are in her young career, she confidently says that at the top of her list is to win a championship for her club, the Cignal HD Spikers. “I’m really hungry for that, and the team is as well.”
Body Goals
When presented with the statement that the Philippine internet finds her to be body goals, her initial reaction was to let out a bashful smile.
“Well right now, my main goal isn’t my physique. I really can’t be skinny — I need to be strong for volleyball.” She goes on to share that her encounter with everyday people sometimes leaves her wondering if she looks fat on TV. She goes on to share that the everyday grabbie has once told her “Ah ma’am payat mo pala sa personal?”
Needless to say, we at ALL-STAR were outraged by this. So, unconvinced, I prodded on and asked her own opinion on the matter of her sexiness.
“Yes, of course. Everybody is sexy in their own way.” she says.
“But I would say yes because I work for my body din naman and I workout every day! So with my lifestyle, dapat lang! hahaha!” she quickly adds.
Ah, now all is right in the world again. Thank you for giving us the answer that we and the internet needed, Vanie. (haha!)
Working out and eating right has always been a big part of her life. This is something that she’s lived by as a person inclined to sports and also something promoted in their household.
We asked if she’s following a specific diet or nutrition program or if she’s one of those freaks of nature who just eat whatever they want and somehow maintain a ridiculous physique. “I wish. I wish I was! haha” she says. She goes on to tell us that she’s been with a nutritionist (check out Coach Tim Nutrition) for about 5 years now and she’s gone through different programs over the course of their relationship.
Right now the big focus is on athletic performance. “As a pro athlete, the way to prolong your career is to take care of your body.” she says as obviously that’s the top priority right now.
An Ambassador of Beauty and Confidence
Yes, I know, I’ve been gushing about her athletic prowess and her stunning physique throughout this entire writing. But please don’t get us started with how she has one of the most beautiful faces in all of sports, and even beyond. We were tempted to use these images as the cover despite it being a body issue. I mean, look at at that face card!
Ultimately, throughout the hours we’ve spent with her for this shoot and interview, I don’t think its a stretch to say that everyone who encountered was taken by her. From the glam team to the hotel staff, to the photo and video crew, and of course myself, we all were sprinkled with a bit of magic dust that comes from being around a person who’s beautiful inside and out.
If you think I’m exaggerating then tell us the next time you’ve hung out with Vanie Gandler by the beach while the sun was setting. Nothing to say? Thought so. LOL!
“The best way to blossom into your own being is to focus on what you have and make do with what there is. You’d be surprised to learn that you are capable of so much more.”
Vanie says to close our interview when asked about a final message for her fans. Wonderful.
There’s something about how she effortlessly slipped into every outfit that we brought for her.
There’s something about how she pauses to think and reflect before she thoughtfully and generously answered all of our questions.
There’s something about Vanie Gandler.
BONUS: Yes, we asked. She’s single — so watch out for the exclusive video that we’re releasing on how to date Vanie Gandler!
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Creative Director, Interview, and Cover Story: James Cruz
Art Director: Kaila Tuazon
Photos: Vyn Radovan
Video: Max Tayag & Kyle Dorado
HMUA: Team Muriel Vega Perez
Clothing Partner: H&M
Social Media: Kirsten Cunanan and Geosh Trinidad
Shot on location at The Lighthouse Marina Resort
Special thanks to: H&M, VMG Asia & The Lighthouse Marina Resort
