The Philippine women’s national football team is keeping its nickname ‘Malditas’.
This is after some fans pointed out the negative meaning of the name — bitchy, snobby, sharp-tongued, rude, mean and usually refers to a woman.
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said they tried to give the squad another name, but the fans have started to love the team for its name.
“Kahit sa FIFA, ang tawag na sa kanila ay Malditas. Gusto rin ng fans. Kaya kung ano ang gusto ng fans, we will abide by this,” said Araneta.
“Malditas,” which also means feisty ladies, was the adopted nickname by the national team during the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.
Former head coach Ernest Nierras gave them the name when he was still forming the squad and it stuck ever since.
The nickname is said to reflect the players’ gutsy nature. It was supposed to be changed after former national coach Marlon Maro gave way to new mentor Alen Stajcic last November, but fans have already grown to love the name.