Sports had always played a part in the life of 30-year-old Eunice Cuestas. As a child, she was very active in volleyball and badminton. But she had an unfortunate accident when she was 12, which resulted in her losing an arm. 

“Right after my accident, everything stopped. I looked for other things to divert my attention to. My friend suggested I try soccer,” she shared. 

At first, Eunice said that she was lukewarm about the sport despite enjoying interacting with friends. “I looked for a sport where I can be in even though I only have one hand. I tried doing taekwondo, then transitioned to soccer.”

Soon, it became her passion and a moment where she could be happy. “Soccer helped me cope, because after I became an amputee, I lost my confidence. That was the time when I really doubted myself. Soccer helped me build my confidence,” Eunice said. Now, the soccer athlete from Cebu is a member of the World Amputee Football Federation.

She began approaching and interacting with people, making friends without hesitating. “At the time, I found it hard to ask for help, especially since I thought people looked down on me because I am the way I am,” she recalled. 

Everything changed when she figured out that asking for help was not wrong. “The team was willing to reach out to me, they helped me without having to ask. It came naturally to them because I was their teammate. They were willing to lend a hand,” the Amputee Ambassadress of the Women’s Amputee Football Team and member of the Philippine Accessible Disability Services (PADS) member said. 

“When things get overwhelming, I pray. I tell myself to push through with life, to always look at the brighter side, and do better,” she added. 

To those who struggle through mental struggles, she hopes that they find the courage to speak up. “Don’t keep them inside, don’t box your feelings inside. Open up because they’ll always weigh you down, if you fight them on your own.”

For those who want to try sports, she said to go for it. “No one can ever stop you from doing what you love. Don’t be afraid of failures. Failures will always be a part of life. After all, you won’t be successful without failures.” 

Eunice is part of this year’s Better Today: Power Move Project, organized by PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), to celebrate World Mental Health month. An advocacy supported by MVP Sports Foundation and Football for Humanity, this video series aims to champion mental health and wellness through sports and features inspiring stories of Filipino para-athletes and coaches who embody the true meaning of persistence, bravery, and mental resilience.

This initiative is also aligned with the Group’s commitment to help the country achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals #10 on reducing inequality by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities. It also aims to uplift and improve the overall digital wellness of Filipinos, underscoring the commitment of PLDT and Smart to the UN SDG #3: Good Health and Well-Being. The promotion of diversity and equality also highlights Concern, one of the four pillars that make up the PLDT Group’s sustainability framework.