Jaja Santiago says Japanese citizenship bid in the works

Volleyball star Jaja Santiago is in the country and said her bid for Japanese citizenship is in the works.

Santiago was seen in the UAAP women's volleyball Final Four match between her alma mater National University and Far Eastern University on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where the Lady Bulldogs won to advance to the finals.

"Actually walang nakakaalam kung nasaan na siya pero it’s on the process and hopefully ma-approve," Santiago told reporters when asked about her Japanese citizenship bid.  "Sir Tats [Suzara] is helping me though."

(No one knows where it is but it's on the process and hopefully it gets approved. Sir Tats is helping me though.)

Jaja Santiago on her Japan stint, citizenship process @gmasportsph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/ygfEUCR1H7

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) May 9, 2024

Santiago, who is married to Japanese coach Taka Minowa, has played for Japan-based clubs Ageo Saitama Medics and JT Marvelous. She was also recently called up by the Japan national team for its training camp.

"I really feel blessed na lumipat ako sa JT. Blessed din ako noong naglaro ako sa Ageo, but I learned a lot from JT kasi very dynamic ‘yung system nila," she said.

(I really feel blessed I moved to JT. I am also blessed back in Ageo, but I learned a lot from JT because their system is very dynamic.)

While in the Philippines, Santiago recently visited the practice of Chery Tiggo who will see action on Thursday afternoon in the PVL battle for bronze against the Petro Gazz Angels. Santiago, though, said she will not play for the Crossovers.

Santiago last played for the Philippines during the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi in May 2022.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News