Capital1 Solar Spikers’ Bella Belen during a tree planting activity as a part of the Volleyball All-Star Showcase in Candon, Ilocos Sur. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
CANDON CITY — After planting a tree on the Volleyball All-Star Showcase event at EcoPark here on Thursday, Bella Belen made sure to water it twice, believing it needed extra care to grow.
It’s the identical mindset Belen brings to her first Premier Volleyball League All-Star Game appearance—nurturing her game and benefiting from every opportunity.
READ: PVL: Bella Belen jokes about votes, thanks fans for All-Star push
“It’s very relaxing. It’s a pleasant change of scenery since we’re normally just in Manila and don’t get to see much nature. It’s also fun because I get to bond with the opposite players from the PVL,” Belen told the reporters on the tree-planting event, which shall be followed by a volleyball clinic and meet and greet.
Bella Belen is happy for her first All-Star game tomorrow in Candon. #PVL2026 #PVLAllStar | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/La6ZR4ebN3
— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) April 30, 2026
The All-Star nod is a milestone for Belen, who’s coming off a breakout conference with Capital1 Solar Spikers, where she was named Rookie of the Conference and Best Outside Spiker.
“It’s an enormous deal for me. Since I’m a rookie, I didn’t expect to be included. I’m still latest within the PVL, so it makes me really pleased to be recognized for what I can do. I’m very grateful to be a part of the All-Star lineup,” Belen said.
READ: PVL: Bella Belen disillusioned but determined after Capital1 exit
Belen starts for Team Heart with Creamline setter Jia De Guzman, 10-time Best Middle Blocker Pangs Panaga, and Jema Galanza, Cignal’s Erika Santos, PLDT’s Majoy Baron, and Akari libero Justine Jazareno.
The three-time UAAP MVP out of National University can also be teaming up with Creamline star Alyssa Valdez, Cignal’s MVP Vanie Gandler, Gel Cayuna, and Dawn Catindig, in addition to Nxled’s Myla Pablo and MJ Phillips, and Galeries rookie Jean Asis.
“What I’m really looking forward to is twiddling with players I haven’t been teammates with before. After all, it’s also about having fun with we were even joking earlier that perhaps we’ll switch positions tomorrow simply to make it more fun. It’s exciting, and it also gives fans a probability to see different team mixtures,” said Belen.
“I feel very comfortable now. The older players are very approachable. They don’t make me feel like a rookie. It truthfully appears like we’ve been together for a very long time.”
Bella Belen together with her fellow PVL All-Star players throughout the welcome dinner for the Volleyball All-Star Showcase in Candon, Ilocos Sur. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Belen also shared moments bonding in Candon with members of Cignal, who recently announced a leave of absence, even teasing them about possibly joining Capital1.
“They give the impression of being good in blue, it really suits them. I won’t say an excessive amount of. Let’s just see. But in fact, they’ll be a fantastic addition to the team. They have already got the experience, especially after reaching the finals,” she said.
While it’s an All-Star showcase, Belen expects the competitive fire to indicate to present the Ilocano fans a fantastic game.
“I believe the competitiveness will still come out. Everyone’s competitive. Perhaps at first it’s all fun, but once the sport gets close, that competitive side will certainly show,” she said.