Push Admin

Article (news)

Yuka Saso of Japan

Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1717855793580AFP__20240603__2155774994__v2__HighRes__USWomenSOpenPresentedByAllyFinalRound.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Yuka Saso of Japan celebrates on the 18th green during the final round of the U.S. Women&#x27;s Open Presented by Ally at Lancaster Country Club on June 02, 2024 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Patrick Smith, Getty Images/AFP"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Yuka Saso of Japan celebrates on the 18th green during the final round of the U.S. Women&#x27;s Open Presented by Ally at Lancaster Country Club on June 02, 2024 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. <em>Patrick Smith, Getty Images/AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Yuka Saso is still proud of her Filipino heritage even though she is now carrying the Japanese flag in international competitions.</p><p>Saso, 22, born in San Ildefonso, Bulacan to a Filipino mother and a Japanese father, said &quot;nothing has really changed&quot; now that she plays for a different country.</p><p>The acclaimed golfer has won her second title in the US Women&#x27;s Open earlier this week. Saso first made history when she became the first Filipino to win it in the 2021 iteration of the tourney.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/multimedia/slideshow/06/07/21/in-photos-pinoy-pride-oozes-as-yuka-saso-puts-country-in-golfing-map"><strong>READ: Yuka Saso wins 2024 US Open</strong></a></div><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/6/3/golfer-yuka-saso-kampeon-ulit-sa-us-women-s-open-1901"><strong>READ: Golfer Yuka Saso kampeon ulit sa US Women&#x27;s Open</strong></a></div><p>&quot;Well, I&#x27;ve always been half-Japanese, half-Filipino,&quot; Saso said during a media availability session. &quot;Yeah, I&#x27;m thankful for my family back in Philippines, all my sponsors who have been supporting me through ups and downs and all the trust they have given me.&quot;</p><p>Saso became the first-ever player to win US Women&#x27;s Open titles for two different countries.</p><p>&quot;I think I said this in other interviews as well. If I could put two flags beside my name, I would, but I cannot. But I think the whole world already knows that I&#x27;m half-Filipino, half-Japanese.&quot;</p><p>It can be remembered that Saso chose Japanese citizenship for the perks its passport holds.</p><p>Under a Japanese law, those with dual citizenships must choose one by their 22nd birthday.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/01/24/22/saso-explains-decision-to-choose-japanese-citizenship"><strong>READ: Yuka Saso explains decision to choose Japanese citizenship</strong></a></div><p>Saso said in the same interview that she still represents Philippines and &quot;that will never change.&quot;</p><p>&quot;And, you know, even when I was representing Philippines, I&#x27;ve always thought that I&#x27;m always half-Japanese as well. And even now that I&#x27;m representing Japan, I&#x27;ve always think that I&#x27;m half-Filipino. So, that will never change.&quot;</p><p>Saso once gifted the Philippines with a historic gold medal in the Asian Games.</p><p>&quot;I love growing up in Philippines and I always go back there.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Nothing have really changed. It&#x27;s just that, the outside, like paperwork or whatever it is, it is just that on those sides.&quot;</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_9Wvxm4aBzQ??si=yFnGFB-MLc6bfTng&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><div><br/></div>

<p>Yuka Saso is still proud of her Filipino heritage even though she is now carrying the Japanese flag in international competitions.</p>

Yuka Saso is still proud of her Filipino heritage even though she is now carrying the Japanese flag in international competitions.

Yuka Saso remains proud of Filipino heritage: 'I always go back there'

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Sports

Yuka Saso remains proud of Filipino heritage: 'I always go back there'

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 08, 2024 10:18 PM PHT

|

Updated Jun 09, 2024 01:25 AM PHT

Read More:

abssports

golf

Yuka Saso

US Women's Open

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.