Between Two Worlds Captures Growth Of Women's Soccer In The Philippines

Forbes

a day ago

With women's soccer on the rise, the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup marked a monumental moment in the game, not just for what it displayed on the field, but how its impact off the field continues to shape the trajectory of the game.
During the World Cup, it paved a new wave of growth for the Philippines Women's National Team or better known as the Filipinas.
Over the weekend, soccer host and influencer, Megan Reyes premiered her first short film documentary about discovering the heritage and the growth of soccer in the Philippines through her new film called, Between Two Worlds, which premiered in Los Angeles, CA.
From podcasting to a first-time filmmaker
Many eyes were on the Filipinas as they were one of the eight teams to make their World Cup debut at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. While head coach Alen Stajcic led the team to their first major tournament, Reyes documented their journey as she produced a four-part podcast series called Between Two Worlds.
From her Filipino-American heritage, Reyes told the story of the Filipinas using core pillars of identity, history, and growth in the game.
From the podcast, Reyes then spent three weeks in the Philippines to document stories from youth players and coaches throughout Metro Manila to create a short length documentary with the same name.
The film premiered as part of the Manila International Film Festival's 2025 Summer Screening series and was created by Reyes, her partner Evan Bledsoe, and a team of five other Filipino creatives.
Reyes used her platform as an influencer in the sport to partner with Adidas Philippines to bring nearly a dozen soccer balls to kids in the Philippines. She also partnered with organizations such as Women In Soccer and IDA Sports to donate new soccer cleats to soccer academies.
Reyes also included gently used jerseys from her personal collection and from the online soccer community that mailed them to her and passed them along to young female soccer players. As she opened the box filled with items, the girls in the room quickly gathered around Reyes and lit up at the sight of new soccer gear.
Throughout the documentary, this film captures the essence of simplicity in the game, the joy of generosity, and the common thread of loving soccer.
'I want people to know that they [Filipinos] very much want to compete with the best, they just need the proper resources,' said Reyes. 'I want to tell this story so that hopefully those changes can be put in place. We as a country are more than basketball, boxing, and beauty pageants, we are football fans.'
'We have what it takes'
Alongside Reyes, Filipina midfielder Camille Rodriguez also worked on the film as a co-producer. Rodriguez made her debut on the senior team in 2011 at 16 years old and also plays for PFF Women's League club Kaya-Iloilo.
Rodriguez scored her first goal at the 2011 AFF Women's Championship and went on to play in the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup. As a player who started her professional career at a young age, Rodriguez has seen the program reach new heights as the Filipinas continue to inspire and celebrate new milestones.
'Homegrown athletes just want the opportunity to play because we know that we are capable,' said Rodriguez in the film. 'We know that we have what it takes to compete against the best, with the best. It's just a matter of belief that we can do it with them and the opportunity to be able to get there. Yes, we inspire but I think there's still work to be done between inspiring and actually having an opportunity and I think the bridge that connects both is action.'
Rodriguez was also an integral part of the team as she participated on the 2022 AFF Women's Asian Championship team, which is when the Filipinas won their first regional gold medal. She also participated at the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup team when the Philippines qualified for the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
During her time in the Philippines, Reyes also interviewed Let Dimzon, who is a former player of the Filipina National Team. Dizmon also coached both the youth and the senior level teams and is well respected in both the coaching community and for the path she paved for the Filipinas.
As Reyes spent three weeks traveling the Philippines and interviewing a variety of those who have shaped the game from journalists, players, and coaches, the documentary showcases the strength and grit of how the World Cup tournament was more than just soccer.
'When you watch how much that goal and that win at the World Cup meant to the country, no one expected them to win a game or score a goal, but when they defeated the host country, New Zealand, it sounded like a home crowd,' said Reyes.
Sharing the love of the game
As a first time filmmaker, Reyes' perspective of Between Two Worlds captures hope, joy, and excitement for the future of the women's game in the Philippines. The three-week excursion also marked her first time visiting her home country where both her parents once lived.
Reyes is no stranger to telling stories as she's partnered with major brands such as Google Pixel, Spotify, FIFA, and is now the in-stadium host of San Diego Wave FC.
The documentary also shows Reyes' passion to capture the game through a lens of allowing others to experience the endless excitement of possibilities that come with playing the beautiful game.
'I want to continue sharing what I have with these players back home,' said Reyes. 'I have a whole closet full of football jerseys that I love to collect but it would mean so much more to them, so, if sending football jerseys and cleats, and gear that we collect but may not use, those could be of greater value to kids in the Philippines in inspiring them to play. There are lots of little actions that we can take and hopefully, I can help build those programs that we can all support together.'
This inspiring short film documentary of Between Two Worlds is not only one that should be watched by every consumer of the game, but it's a film that powerfully showcases how soccer builds bridges to create across the globe.
The premiere in Los Angeles, CA hosted over 100 guests in attendance and the next screening of Between Two Worlds will be hosted in Oakland, CA on August 17, which is also sold out.