Filipino Olympian Levi Jung Ruivivar turned her recent Philippine trip into a mix of adventure, reunion, and rediscovery—from her first visit to Mindanao to a lighthearted pomelo mix-up.
Filipino Olympian Levi Jung Ruivivar recently spent time back in the Philippines, mixing a little gymnastics with plenty of adventure.
She dropped by Carmona, Cavite, for a clinic with young gymnasts, but most of her visit involves exploring, reconnecting, and creating stories she won’t soon forget.
One highlight was her first trip to Mindanao, where she met young athletes experiencing their very first competition.
“It’s my first time ever in Mindanao and it was really amazing to see all the girls,” she shared.
“A lot of them were talking to me, and it was their first competition ever. That was amazing and we’ve got to see a lot about different parts of the Philippines.”
Outside the gym, Ruivivar is every bit the traveler.
She’s already planning to check off Boracay, Palawan, and Coron on her next return.
“I’ve heard amazing things about those,” she said. “The amazing thing in the Philippines is that they have something different to see or view. Different culture.”
Of course, no trip is complete without a funny story—and hers involved pomelos. On a journey from Davao to Cebu, her group mistakenly took someone else’s fruit box.
“We accidentally took someone else’s pomelo box and then this person really wants their pomelo box back. We figured out how to return it, but the pomelos were good,” she laughed.
Ruivivar’s vacation came during a busy year for Filipino gymnasts reconnecting with their homeland.
Her close friends and fellow Olympians Emma Malabuyo and Aleah Finnegan also visited—Malabuyo in July, and Finnegan just this month, when she and Ruivivar reunited.
For Ruivivar, the trip was more than just sightseeing or chance encounters. It was about rediscovering the country in her own way—through its athletes, its culture, and even its pomelos.
Inna Mina is a sportswriter with a passion for telling stories that go beyond the scoreboard.
She covers running, athletics, and other major Philippine sporting events, while also following grassroots sports, athlete journeys, and women in sports. Her work also includes lifestyle stories on health, fitness, and community.