Sepak takraw, or foot volleyball, found its way to Faith Adventist Academy (FAA), a small Adventist school in the far north of Palawan, Philippines, in 2011. At that time the school had very few extracurricular activities to engage its students—especially those struggling to find direction.
A Southeast Asian sport, sepak takraw is similar to volleyball but played with a rattan ball, using the feet, head, chest, and knees to send the ball over the net. It demands agility, coordination, and skill.
At FAA, however, the goal was not merely athletic achievement—it was redemption. The sport was introduced to reach boys on probation—those on the brink of expulsion, labeled as troublemakers, and given one last chance. These were the bold and strong-willed students, the ones who never backed down and seemed afraid of nothing.
To make the program effective, they needed someone who truly knew the game. Julius Rosas, FAA principal, had a brother—Webster Rosas—who was once a national sepak takraw player. With Webster Rosas as coach and Julius Rosas as spiritual mentor, the team was blessed with both technical expertise and strong spiritual leadership.
From Modest Beginnings to Breakthrough
By 2012 the team began participating in provincial meets, though early results were modest—never rising above fourth place. But in 2015 a breakthrough came. FAA won the provincial championship, went on to dominate the MIMAROPA (an acronym for the Philippine provinces of Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) Regional Athletic Association meet, and advanced to the prestigious Palarong Pambansa (National Games), bringing home the bronze medal.
Two years later, in 2017, the team again qualified for the regional meet. This time, however, the schedule fell on a Saturday. Julius Rosas stood firm. “We won’t participate if it means playing on Sabbath,” he told the organizers. He explained the school’s commitment to the seventh-day Sabbath and spoke about religious freedom.
For two long hours the team stayed in their quarters. No one left. Instead they sang, prayed, and trusted God. At last the organizers announced their decision—the games would be rescheduled to Sunday. That entire day FAA played with courage and faith, finishing undefeated.
To their surprise and joy, the tournament manager turned out to be a fellow Adventist. FAA not only secured a new schedule but also gained the respect of the Department of Education for standing true to their convictions.
Over the years FAA’s team continued to be successful at the provincial, regional, and national levels. In one memorable Palarong Pambansa, they secured another bronze medal and, more important, gained a reputation—not just as athletes but as the MIMAROPA Prayer Warriors.
Faith First, Always
The pandemic brought a pause to their journey. When they returned to the court in 2023, they lost. But in 2024 they came back stronger and won both the provincial and regional titles and once again qualified for the Palarong Pambansa. Yet again their game was scheduled on a Sabbath.
The coach, Webster Rosas, wrestled in prayer. “Lord, why bring us this far? Why allow us to win, only to sit out the match?”
In another act of providence, the games were moved from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The games started five hours late, which was after sunset.
It was one of their best games yet. The players were well rested and played with heart. Though they did not claim the championship, they knew they had already won—because they stood for their faith and represented Jesus with honor.
In 2025 the MIMAROPA Prayer Warriors once again competed in the Palarong Pambansa, held in Batac City, Ilocos Norte. This time they won gold in the Best Regu category.
Victories Beyond the Court
But the greater victories happened off the court. Many of the once-troubled students have experienced real transformation. Some graduated with degrees in criminology and are now serving as police officers. One of them, Felix Achera, has become an active youth leader at a local Seventh-day Adventist church. Seven former team members have been baptized.
Take, for example, Japhet Tejares from the 2017 Palarong Pambansa team. Today he is a licensed marine engineer and serves as the SK chairman in their barangay in Taytay. He also mentors younger players whenever he visits the school. His story, however, was not without struggles. Tejares was sent home in tenth grade because of misbehavior, peer conflicts, and personal challenges. But when he returned to school the next year, his life began to change. Before graduating, he accepted Jesus through baptism—and eventually his whole family followed. Just this year even his nephews, who are now sepak takraw players, were baptized as well.
They were never forced into faith. Through the work for the Rosas brothers, the team became a care group—a spiritual family led by mentors who genuinely cared. The boys read the Bible—first because they are told to do so, but eventually because it has become a part of who they are.
In every match—win or lose—the team kneels down together in prayer. And so the title of MIMAROPA Prayer Warriors is not just one they have earned—they live it.
This version is based on the story posted on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division news site.
