Jaja Santiago announced last Saturday that she is now officially a Japanese citizen and will now carry the name Sachi Minowa.
For Dindin Santiago-Manabat, the news was bittersweet but overwhelmingly positive.
The Choco Mucho star shared that Jaja had revealed her new citizenship status to their family before the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Actually, matagal na niya sa amin sinabi ‘yun. Bago pa lang mag-Olympics – pero sorry Ja, ‘di ko alam kung tama ba sabihin ko ‘to – pero bago pa lang mag-Olympics, lumabas na ‘yung passport niya and dineclare na sa amin na Japanese citizen na siya,” Santiago-Manabat recounted.
Despite Jaja's absence from this year's Games, Santiago-Manabat remains hopeful and supportive of her sister's future prospects, especially considering the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Chery Tiggo head coach Kungfu Reyes echoed this optimism, expressing his pride and enthusiasm for Santiago’s accomplishment.
“Ito na 'yung dream niya, kaya that's why nandu'n naman siya sa Japan, and nakapag-asawa na rin ng Japanese, siyempre,” Reyes said.
Santiago’s marriage to Japanese head coach Taka Minowa of Akari accelerated her naturalization process, bringing her one step closer to her Olympic aspirations.
Reyes, who has had a front-row seat to Santiago’s career growth, highlighted the significance of this achievement.
“Konti pa, mas ma-fulfill niya 'yung dream niya to join the Olympics, 'yun lang naman ang target that's why nag-migrate siya sa Japan,” he noted.
Santiago's journey began in 2019 with Ageo Medics, where she played a pivotal role in their Japan V.League championship.
Her move to JT Marvelous in 2023 and her historic contributions to the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, including their first-ever PVL All-Filipino Conference title in 2021, underscore her remarkable career.
As Santiago transitions to her new role as Sachi Minowa, her path to the Olympics is clearer than ever.
“I think 'yun ang pinaka, one of the biggest dream nung bata, 'di na pala bata, may asawa na. I'm happy for her na nakuha niya 'yung isa sa mga talagang pangarap niya. Hindi na lang siya pangarap, andiyan na. I'm happy for her,” Reyes concluded.
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