VLeague import Jaja Santiago announces engagement to Japanese national team assistant coach Taka Minowa on an Instagram post last Saturday, August 27.
Volleyball superstar Jaja Santiago, former National University standout, has announced Saturday her engagement with Japanese coach Taka Minowa.
The current Saitama Ageo Medics import in the V. League Division 1 dropped the news in a sweet- penned letter to her now fiancé who was in the middle of Japan's quarterfinals game against Iran.
"Too many attempts and finally without him kneeling to ask me. I said yes!" said the 26-year-old spiker.
"It's not about how long the relationship was, it's about how he makes you feel that he is the right one," she added.
The assistant coach of the Japanese national team is also proud of his relationship with Santiago as he was confronted by reporters after Japan punched a ticket in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup for Women semifinals.
"I'm so happy, I love her," he said when asked about their engagement.
Coach Taka also shared that the two have been engaged for two months now.
The Filipino import first hinted of a relationship back in July 29,after she posted a picture in her social media of two people’s silhouettes making a heart.
"I appreciate you and everything you do. ILYSMD![emoji],” the caption read.
Santiago was previously in a long-term relationship with former teammate Maika Ortiz.
After the announcement, fellow volleyball players flooded Jaja and Taka with congratulatory messages, with her sister, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, being one of the first people to comment on her post saying,
"Bakit may pagface reveal kana? Hahaha baka dumugin dito sa pinas si taka [emoji] charot!"
Former athlete turned news anchor Gretchen Ho also commented, "Ayun o! Congrats!"
Other volleyball athletes who congratulated Jaja on her engagement with Taka are Mika Reyes, Dennise Lazaro, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Maddie Madayag, Dawn Macandili, Grethcel Soltones, Kianna Dy, Kim Fajardo, and Mark Espejo, among many others.
Tags: #volleyball, #engagement, #Japan