Poised to win every time: the Felipe Brothers on fencing, family, and Philippine sports

Fencing National Team and Training Pool athletes Prince, Nicollei, and Khiane Felipe suit up this week for the Philippines as two of them head to the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand. 

At first glance, the Felipe brothers stand at attention, unassuming. Their polite smiles hide the fact that they have faced bouts and clashed swords in major sporting events well beyond the country.

The eldest, Prince Felipe, currently serves as part of the national training pool and is also coaching at the Oblation Fencing Club. He greets club members and new faces unabashedly, flashing a warm smile to ease them into the relatively elevated world of fencing.

His younger brothers, Nicollei and Khiane, look relaxed on the outside, but it’s apparent that their upcoming SEA Games events are already on their minds. Their training has been nothing short of rigorous, and it shows in the passion they have for the sport.

While the brothers essentially stepped into the world of fencing at six years old, each one of them received the sport in a different way and evolved with it on a different trajectory.

Prince: the competitive foil fencer and strategist

Fencing, which requires both wits and physical ability, aligns perfectly with Prince’s competitive nature. And he’s good at it, too, being a two-time bronze medalist in the SEA Games and now guiding athletes as a coach while still retaining a spot in the national training pool.

His first foray into fencing happened when he got involved in the fencing club QCSep. The Quezon City-based grassroots fencing program started as a place to hone fencers who can duke it out in both local and international competitions. Prince was one of the early participants, partly motivated by the fact that his uncle, Michael Nicanor, was one of the coaches.

When he first held a sword and tried a bout, Prince felt called by the challenge of setting traps and making attacks within that narrow 1.5 m-wide piste.

“May ugali akong hindi nagpapatalo,” says Prince, recalling the first time his competitive side awakened. He sees fencing in all its sophistication, describing it as moving chess pieces across the board and a conversation of substance between players. As a foil fencer, Prince notes, “Pwede kang mag-trap ng opponent. Kaya ko siya na-e-enjoy–‘pag nauuto ko yung opponent ko.”

Nicollei: the disciplined defensive champion

Nicollei proved that a champion can be made even when they start out as an “option” in the roster. He recalls not being recognized for his athleticism early on and having to repeat tirelessly until techniques were ingrained in him.

His relationship with fencing is marked by discipline and respect—a methodical approach that allowed him to grow as an athlete and bring home these lessons outside of the piste. Nicollei reaped the benefits through scholarships that allowed his family opportunities he believes they would not have without the sport.

Early on, he grasped the reality of limited resources. Nicollei’s drive to be part of the team went so far as to collect empty bottles to sell to help buy a plane ticket for an international event. His pivotal decision: “Sa isip ko, next time, kailangan kasama na ko sa first plan, hindi lang option.”

That drive led him to become a part of the national fencing team, earning gold and bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Fencing Federation last year, bronze medal finishes in the 30th and 32nd SEA Games, and a secure slot in this year’s 33rd SEA Games.

Khiane: the Bunso who conquered the sabre

For Khiane, fencing was the constant part of his life that shaped his character. As the youngest (bunso) of the Felipe brothers, he used to view it as a hindrance to after-school play.

His focus sharpened when he saw his brothers competing internationally. He started to realize, “Doon ko na-realize na marami akong nakukuha sa fencing bukod sa practice: maraming friends and experiences. Naging inspiration ko yung dalawang kuya ko, hanggang sa na-enjoy ko na maglaro.”

Since his brothers were already achieving titles, Khiane admits feeling pressure. However, his focus brought him far: he recently conquered the SEAFF championships by bagging the gold medal in the men’s sabre and securing a delegation slot at the 33rd SEA Games.

Brotherly love builds you up

Whenever siblings take space in the same area, competition is expected. But this was not the case for the Felipe brothers. There is bangayan (teasing) and yabangan (boasting), but it comes from a place of pride.

“Minsan nagagalit ako ‘pag natatalo siya ng iba,” says Nicollei, referring to the times when he and Prince would react to each others’ fights. The brothers take pride in each other’s abilities and serve as a mutual source of learning. Prince is an attacker, while Nicollei is a defensive fencer—where one brother lacks, the other supplements with advice.

“Nag-yayabangan kami ng achievements namin sa isa’t isa pag-uwi,” says Prince. “Pag natalo niya ko sa training, yayabangan niya ko sa bahay. Sa next training, iisipin ko paano mag-improve para matalo ko naman siya.”

The brothers admit that pushing each other to go even higher is their love language, even if they always want to win. “Naniniwala kami na bawat isa may talent sa fencing,” says Nicollei. “Kaya we push kung saan pwede mag-improve.”

Play Together, Plan Together: A Future Beyond the Piste

The Felipe brothers know when to stay in the game and when to just be brothers to each other. The eldest and youngest still stay true to their competitive spirit in a round of basketball or video games. And Nicollei, ever the stickler for method and precision, remains the guardian of order and discipline among his brothers outside of the sport.

They each have their dreams still laid out in front of them, knowing that fencing may be their life for now, but they still have a long path ahead. It’s the reality of Philippine athletes: no matter the talent or the extent of coaching available, there still remains a huge need for financial support to create a more stable environment for athletes to train with peace of mind.

Prince has his coaching career, even while having a foot in the national team. But he still holds onto his dream of being a civil engineer. Nicollei looks forward to going to medical school, knowing full well that this may be his future fork in the road. As for Khiane, he just started out at the University of the East as a hospitality management major.

One thing is sure: each brother knows that, whatever may happen in the future—continuing their stint in fencing or pursuing other careers—they will all be doing something to survive and move forward.

But for now, as they step back into their fencing whites, their auras change. Prince may not be physically with his brothers to witness their bouts for the country’s prestige in the 33rd SEA Games. But he looks at Nicollei and Khiane—his brothers first, and now fierce challengers and champions who are ready to bring their A-game—and cheers them on.

 

 

They each have their dreams still laid out in front of them, knowing that fencing may be their life for now, but they still have a long path ahead.

 

 

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