Double delight: Jessey de Leon living her dream as volleyball player, architect

Volleyball and architecture hold special places in Jessey de Leon’s heart, so instead of choosing just one, she decided to do both.

For almost a decade now, De Leon has successfully juggled her two passions as she plays for the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the Premier Volleyball League while pursuing a career as an architect.

“Volleyball has always been a big part of my life. I’ve been playing volleyball since I was young. I feel like it really shaped my discipline, it shaped my mindset, it shaped who I am today,” De Leon told Rappler in a mix of Filipino and English. “Even if I already have architecture, there’s still a kind of fulfillment I only feel when I’m on the court because I feel challenged. This sport also humbles me and it also reminds me why I started.” 

“It’s not about choosing between careers, it’s like honoring a part of myself because volleyball is already a part of me.” 

Balancing her two professions is no easy feat.

PVL seasons run for almost an entire year, requiring players like De Leon to always be in top form. For example, the 2024-2025 PVL season was a grind as it took place from November 2024 to November 2025, with De Leon and PLDT consistently in the thick of the title race as they ruled the PVL On Tour and the Invitational Conference.

While architecture is by no means as physically demanding as volleyball, it calls for De Leon to be at her best in other facets: mentally and creatively. 

“Definitely for me, it’s hard because architecture takes a lot mentally, with all the designing, planning, and many other things. Volleyball, on the other hand, demands so much, physically and emotionally,” said De Leon. 

“It’s really hard because we only have a few hours in a day, and of course, we also have a certain amount of energy in a day. That’s the hard part — how you’re be able to use your time and energy wisely.” 

Can’t live without volleyball

A standout for the UST Golden Tigresses in the UAAP, De Leon thought she was done with volleyball when she graduated from the university in 2016. 

She stopped playing for months to focus on passing the board exams and obtaining her architecture license, but the allure of the sport brought De Leon back in 2017 as she signed with the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors.

De Leon and Pocari Sweat went on to become the first-ever champions of the PVL as they reigned in the Reinforced Conference of the inaugural 2017 season. 

“I came back because I couldn’t be without it in my life — that’s how it felt. I feel like I’m not done yet, I still want to see how far I can grow, I still feel like I have more to give and more to improve on. I told myself, why not give it another try?” said De Leon. 

“Since then, I’ve never really thought about quitting, unless it’s time to retire already. But the thought of retiring hasn’t crossed my mind because I truly feel like I’m not finished yet. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to still play and be part of a team. I really take that seriously.” 

De Leon acquired her license after passing the board exams in 2018 and has worked both as an architect and a volleyball player since. Her volleyball career has seen her suit up for Petro Gazz, and now, for PLDT — teams that De Leon helped win championships in the PVL.

“When I’m working, I’m fully present as an architect, and when I’m on the court, I commit 100 percent to being an athlete. Just being able to approach these two worlds, these two roles, I just try to be present in whatever role I’m in,” she said. 

All worked out for the better

De Leon spent a couple of years in an architecture firm, but the physical and mental tolls of a 9-to-5 job on top of her volleyball obligations simply became too much.

Although initially worried whether she would get projects as a freelance architect, De Leon decided to go solo.

Over time, her doubts were dispelled, with De Leon’s fellow players acquiring her services, among them Jaja Santiago, Kim Kianna Dy, Pangs Panaga, and Bea de Leon. 

“After I graduated, the plan was I’m going to work in a firm and I’m not going to play volleyball. But until now, I’m still playing volleyball and now working as the principal architect,” said De Leon. 

“With everything that has happened to me and everything that is happening to me, I really believe that it all worked out for the better. Even though I had different directions in mind, it was important for me to experience those things because I was able to learn a lot and I feel like I won’t be where I am today if all of those things didn’t happen.” 

For De Leon, female athletes should not be confined to a single career if they have other interests, as long as they put in the work and commitment.

“I want women athletes to know that pursuing two careers is possible — two, three, four. But it also requires intention, it really requires discipline, and a lot of self-awareness. You won’t always have the perfect balance. For me, I still feel like I’m still trying to figure out the right balance between architecture and volleyball. It won’t always be perfect, but you can build a life that reflects all your passions, not just one,” De Leon said. 

“You just have to be honest with yourself and be genuine. There will be days when one career needs more of you than the other. That’s okay. What matters is you’re staying committed and be kind to yourself through the process.” – Rappler.com