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MEGASTYLE WEBZINE JANUARY 2017: MAJOY BARON & KIANNA DY


Dynamic, driven, desirable, dreamy, divine. We can’t come up with any more D’s to describe this duo, except they’re also unbelievably down-to-earth.

Volleyball stars Kianna Dy and Majoy Baron play side-by-side for De La Salle University–right hitter and middle blocker, respectively–but their similarities don’t end in-court. The 22-year-olds are both over 5-foot-10 and slinky, both want to try their hand in fashion modeling, both have unexpected side hobbies, and both have more fans than your average wannabe celebrity.

We sat down to chat with the towering best buds, knowing that we have half an hour with them at most (no good athlete has time for anything else). It’s easy to see why everyone loves them–they radiate an infectious optimism that can only be seen in the young and hungry. That, and the fact that there’s just something about sporty lasses that screams, well, cool.


Left: H&M Viscose Blouse PHP 899 | Pleated Skirt PHP 899 | Right H&M Shirt PHP 899

For our readers who don’t follow volleyball, what is your career status right now?

Kianna: I’m in my 4th playing year for DLSU.

Majoy: I’ve actually already graduated–I’m marching this February–but I’ll still be playing. UAAP season 79 starts February 5. My final playing year will be in Season 80 next year.

What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?

K: We won the championship last year!

M: Yeah, we won the championship last Season 78 against Ateneo. I also won the Best Blocker award, so it was my most memorable season. But in life, my biggest accomplishment so far is being able to graduate DLSU on scholarship.

What are you guys taking up?

K: Business management.

M: Sports management, but I’m taking up masters in Entrepreneurship.

How’s DLSU treating you guys so far?

M: It’s fun! We got a lot going on.

How many times a week do you practice?

M: Twice a day, sometimes even three. We don’t really have free time, even on weekends.

Sounds tough. How are you able to juggle studies and volleyball?

M: We really try to squeeze it in!

K: The university does reduce the number of units we’re required to take.

How is a three-times-a-day training schedule even humanly possible?

K: In the morning, from 8:30am to 12:30 noon, we train. From 12:45 to 6pm, we take classes. From 6pm to 9pm, we train again. But of course I have to study after that, so I set aside 10pm to 12mn. And then we have to wake up at 530 in the morning to train again at around 530am.

You don’t even get a full night’s sleep?

K: No. Maybe I could, if I don’t study…[laughs]

Damn.

K: I know! It’s a bit difficult, but we got used to it.

You don’t “go out” like the other kids do, I assume?

M: I like sleeping, because I’m always dead tired [laughs]. Sunday is really my only rest day–family time, movies, sleep.



What got you guys into volleyball?

K: I played track and field before. We had a tournament one day, but it rained, so it got cancelled. I was like, “Just because of the rain?” So that was the reason I switched to volleyball! [laughs]

You’re saying the rain was a sign from God?

K: [Laughs] Actually I was just walking in front of the volleyball court and they invited me to join. And I also really wanted to have a playing jersey with my name on it, and track didn’t offer that. So there, I began playing volleyball in sixth grade.

How about you Majoy?

M: Table tennis was my first sport back in elementary school. But it wasn’t that competitive–I wasn’t any good at it. Then around second year high school, I played volleyball in our intramurals, and I got discovered.

So it was volleyball who wanted you both, not the other way around.

M: It was our height too, I think. When I got introduced to volleyball, the school that I transferred to was very competitive. I was a regular girl, but they trained me, and the rest is history.

Which high school was that?

M: Baguio City National High School. Because of them, I was able to play in the Palarong Pambansa, where I got discovered by DLSU. I was like, “Wow, La Salle actually wants me!”

According to veteran Lady Spiker Mika Reyes [read her story here], you’re both legitimate star players. What do you think makes you outstanding?

K: I think it’s my time management, or how I’m organised with what I do. I want to always be one step ahead of everything. I am very O.C. with what I need to do—they’re all listed down in my planner!

M: Self-discipline is number one. It’s impossible to succeed as an athlete without it. You won’t improve, and you might even ruin your body.

We’ve been talking about how volleyball likes you both. But what about volleyball do you like? 

K: I like the thrill! When you play against someone, and people watch and cheer–I like that. I think the sport also made me more patient.

M: It’s a team sport, so I learn so much about camaraderie, sportsmanship. I’m a naturally shy person, and volleyball boosted my confidence. As an athlete and as a student, I also learned how to manage my time. And of course, since it’s DLSU and televised, I also enjoy the fact that people get to know me.

Do you guys have any future plans outside of volleyball? Aside from playing professionally, of course.

K: After DLSU, I plan to maybe play for a few more years. It’d be a waste of youth if I don’t. And then I wanna work a corporate job before starting my own business, just to get ideas.

M: I still wanna play, of course. Especially now that volleyball is becoming more mainstream.

In the Philippine Super Liga, like Mika Reyes? [To see Mika’s beauty hack, click here.]

M: Yes, but PSL isn’t really pro yet…it’s semi-pro. There are actually two leagues–the Shakey’s V League and the Philippine Super Liga. I’m currently playing for the PSL, in the F2 logistics team, for two years now.


Left: H&M Shirt PHP 599 | Right : H&M Viscose Blouse PHP 899

Do you have any skills or hobbies that are unrelated to sports, and that not a lot of people know about?

K: I’m not sure if people already know, but I play the piano.

Cool! So you’re musically inclined?

K: It’s not like I studied it seriously. I started playing in high school, learning through Youtube videos. 

Do you sing?

K: [Laughs] Sakto lang.

Majoy?

M: I love cooking! I’m Kapampangan, so I was exposed to food and cooking since I was young.

Awesome. Have you ever thought about what you’d be doing if you had never played ball?

M: I might have been a model.

K: I actually want to model!

Both of you can give working models a run for their money.

M: [Laughs]

K: Majoy actually joined beauty pageants in their province! [laughs]

But really, more than the faces and the legs, you’ve got ridiculously toned bodies. Care to share your secrets? Aside from the constant training, of course.

K: We have a trainer. I don’t workout outside of training. It’s more than enough, I think. [laughs]

M: As Kianna mentioned, we train 2 or 3 times a day. We even have yoga sessions, aerobics sessions, and weight training. We really do complete workouts. And on the weekends, I jog to maintain my stamina for next week’s training.

We can’t keep up with that, even if we tried. How about eating habits?

M: I don’t eat a lot, but I’m a foodie. Just a bit is enough as long as it’s really tasty. I’ve got high standards, even for Sisig [laughs]. If it doesn’t taste good, no matter how hungry I am, I won’t order it. Right now I’m really into Korean food, even just their appetizers.

K: I eat whatever I want. But I don’t get fat. I’m actually trying to gain weight! I feel too thin. I think my arms and legs are too skinny. Whenever I gain, I’m so happy.

Let’s talk about style. How does being athletes affect your sense of fashion?

K: Whatever I’m comfortable with. Always comfort over style. I don’t like heels, but I wear them when it’s required of me. I’m more of a sneakers person.

M: Personally, I prefer comfortable clothes because I’m always tired from training. Sore legs can’t handle tight jeans! And I’m always in a hurry so I don’t have time to dress up. I prefer basic dresses and sneakers.

We just noticed–did you both come in wearing the same dress? Only in different colors?

M&K: [Laughs] Yes!

Did you guys plan this?

M&K: No!

That’s annoyingly cute.

K: I usually shop at H&M, so…

Those were from H&M? Nice. Their new collection–what you guys wore for the shoot today–suits your styles perfectly. Sporty chic, young, a little cheeky.

M: Yeah. H&M has a lot of basics which are easy to mix and match. If I buy a bottom from them, I can find a top to match it too. [For Majoy’s style tips and more H&M fashion inspo, click here.]

K: But you know what I have from H&M? Their business attire! Blazers, pants, tops.

What do you need them for?

K: We’re required to wear business attire for class presentations in Business Management. [For Kianna’s style tips and more H&M fashion inspo, click here.]

Awesome–it’s like you guys were destined for this shoot. The clothes looked great, the shots were beautiful, and both of you were a pleasure to work with.

K: Thank you!

M: We had fun!

We’d like to keep this going, but we don’t wanna be the reason you’re late for your 4pm practice. We’ll see you both on the court (and maybe on the runways). ~

By The MEGAstyle Team |





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