Jackie Buntan credits Fil-Am roots for martial arts success

Photo from jackiebuntan/Instagram

Filipino American fighter Jackie Buntan has been very vocal about how she draws strength from the solid Filipino community whenever she steps into the ring and fights.

As a former ONE strawweight Muay Thai world title contender, Buntan’s sense of national pride in the Philippines fuels her determination and resilience, making each fight a representation of something greater than personal victory.

“I would describe my Filipino American identity as the best of both worlds, from both sides of the culture,” Buntan shared.

In an interview with Sportskeeda, Buntan discussed how her Fil-Am roots have been instrumental in her rise to fame in the global martial arts scene.

“My Filipino American roots definitely helped shape me as a martial artist,” she explained. “It’s shown that I have heart, tenacity, and I have grit. Having the freedom to dream and the freedom to believe in whatever I want to achieve. Being able to represent what you do, and doing it at the highest level, there’s no better blessing than that.”

Buntan’s career is also driven by her desire to inspire others and thanked the martial arts organization for giving a platform to Asians like her in the field. “Growing up, there wasn’t really a big stage that I looked up to,” she admitted. “Being on ONE’s stage to represent Filipinos and Asians on the highest level means the world to me.”

She hopes to show the world that with determination and focus, Filipinos and Asians can achieve anything they set their minds to. “I’d love for the world to know that not just Filipinos, but Asians in general, anything we put our mind to, we’ll succeed and achieve it.”

Hailing from Palos Verdes Estates in California, the 26-year-old fighter made two significant trips to the Philippines in October 2022. These visits allowed her to immerse herself in the culture and connect with her roots for the first time.

Despite initial apprehensions about visiting a foreign land, Buntan quickly discovered that Filipino hospitality is a genuine and powerful force, making her feel at home. She realized that the warmth and support from the Filipino community were not just myths but tangible experiences that reinforced her identity and purpose.

Concluding with pride, she stated, “My name is Jackie Buntan, and I’m a proud Filipino American.”