Last night Kaya FC played Air force in the United Football League opening game. With the league ceremony and excitement level sky high prior to kickoff, our team seemed pretty focused and determined to play the defending League and UFL Cup Champions. For me, it was the first time we've faced any armed forces team in competition. During the Cup we seemingly missed the … [Read more...]
New Season-New Look: 2012 UFL League Opener
Moving through the Holidays and out the New year, there has been so much buzz around the 2012 United Football League. Today marks the opening ceremonies and the League opening match between two much talked about teams, Kaya FC and current UFL Cup Champions Air force. Prior to this day, Kaya FC was in need for some regrouping after suffering a touch loses in the UFL Cup, first … [Read more...]
Long Teng Cup: An Azkals’ Historical Relevance (Part 2)
Continuation from Long Teng Cup: An Azkals’ Historical Relevance (Part 1) After years of playing with a unique group of Chinese players, my father and his friends had bonded over time and connected themselves to one another through a passion for soccer. This group was formed in a foreign country, in a far away place from home, by ethnicity, culture and love for the game. … [Read more...]
Long Teng Cup: An Azkals’ Historical Relevance (Part1)
Before I dive into the significance of the Long Teng Cup, I think it is important to uncover the history that brings us to this day in age where football has developed to its very critical turning point. To some people, this massive wave of Azkals frenzy might seem like an overnight explosion, and to others, I might seem like just a player that suddenly appeared from an … [Read more...]
Crossing Football Cultures: A Dream-Cup Come True
The last several months have been quite exciting and extremely busy for me. It seems like just a short while ago, I had landed in Manila for the first time. The day I landed, I encountered trials and signed with Kaya FC. Shortly thereafter, the Azkals’ training in preparation for the Long Teng Cup had started, and since then, between the UFL Cup, International Friendlies, and … [Read more...]
First Trip to Olongapo: Meeting Family
My mom arrived to Manila just a few weeks ago. The last time she was in the Philippines was when I was just an infant about 26 years ago. Much to her surprise a lot of things have changed, yet a lot has remained the same. Excited to visit her family in a long awaited reunion that spanned over a quarter century, she embarked on her mission to reunite with everybody. With my … [Read more...]
Smokey Mountain: Using Sports to Enrich Life
Last weekend I was invited to visit Smokey Mountain. For those of you who are not so familiar with Smokey Mountain, it is Manila's largest dump site consisting of over 2 million tons of rubbish. It's name was derived from the fires created from decomposing waste, making it one of the world's most volatile garbage dump sites. For the normal citizens of Manila this dump site is a … [Read more...]
U23 Azkals: Overcoming Odds Stacked Against
After watching the last two Under 23 Philippines Team games, I can't help but want to write, reflect, and voice some of the feeling going on inside of me. Since I arrived in the Philippines I have been welcomed with a sense of hope and undying support. But with all of the attention and inspiration comes a level of expectation and a level of pressure which is very real. We as … [Read more...]
Divisoria, Binondo, Ongpin and Intramuros in One Day
After speaking with Kaya FC Teammate Armand Del Rosario about future Fan Club apparel, gifts and giveaways he invited me to join his associate on a visit to Divisoria to collect price quotes from multiple distributors. Since, I have not been down to the area better know as the Chinatown of Manila, I decided it would be a wonderful experience to not only check out factory … [Read more...]
Kicking Out Cancer: I Can Serve Foundation Football Invitational
From September 19-24th the I Can Serve Foundation held a football invitational tournament to raise breast cancer awareness. The three teams selected to play in the charity showdown included Global FC, Kaya FA and the Philippine Azkals. There was much hype around the fixtures as Team Azkals finished their most successful World Cup Qualifying run in the county's history and both, … [Read more...]
