AS THE Philippine Women’s National Football Team (PWNFT) is set to secure our nation’s first appearance in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Filipinos are reminded of their long-standing glory on the pitch.
After basketball took root as the country’s de facto national sport, football’s long-standing reign as the nation’s pastime was left as a cherished reminder of a bygone era. Today, courts and hoops have taken center stage, enabling a new generation of fans that is concentrated on only one aspect of the nation’s sporting landscape.
Despite this transition, the recent watershed moments in the world of Philippine football have laid down a path for its promising future and legacy. With the momentous achievements that have increased Filipino interest in football, it’s high time for the sport to finally witness its buildout in a country brimming with potential.
The beautiful game
Dubbed by Pelé as “the beautiful game,” football is often called such because its allure continues to capture the hearts of millions worldwide. Thanks to legendary Filipino booters like 1990s goal-getter Elmer Bedia and 2000s net-breaker Chieffy Caligdong, the rise of football under our nation’s banner built the framework for the rising popularity of the beautiful game. These celebrated veterans paved the way for new heroes—like former National Team Captain Aly Borromeo and the PWNFT’s star player Sarina Bolden—to take charge and carry the reemerging name of Philippine football.
Beyond physical prowess, the beauty of football embeds itself in values and principles such as practice and control. Footballers learn to cultivate discipline and tact while fortifying their character through partaking in a shared triumph of teamwork and spirit. Similarly, Ateneo Women’s Football Team (AWFT) standout rookie Gabrielle Tuaño stresses how all her years on the football pitch have taught her to remain steadfastly determined in everything that she does. “I think I’ve learned a lot of things in football, but one of the things that I find most important is [that] whatever I’m doing, I have to always give my 100 percent,” she shares.
Waking the sleeping giant
Aside from distinguished booters who continue to engage in rebuilding our forgotten football regime, significant events that have altered the trajectory of Philippine football also build upon these small successes of interest.
The Philippine National Football Team was instrumental in the renaissance of football in the 2010s. Their unexpected triumph in the 2010 Miracle of Hanoi and qualifying win in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup further ignited the football culture and its growing popularity across the nation. Additionally, the PWNFT has also been setting records in recent years, securing a semifinal spot in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and winning their first-ever championship title in the AFF Women’s Championship in the same year. Their participation in these events inspired a renewed focus on the women’s football program.
It is without a doubt that these pivotal events have brought about changes in Philippine football that continue to shape the public’s perception of the sport. In the local scene, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has been awarded a grant to promote football development and participation in sports among the youth by setting up clusters of PFF Centers of Excellence.
Furthermore, several PWNFT members have signed with international clubs, boasting positive developments in the sport by providing players with valuable experience and exposure on the international level. These ripples give us reason to continue writing the next chapter of the sport and propel it to greater heights.
Ateneo football has also made significant strides in recent years. The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Tournament marked the Ateneo Men’s Football Team’s (AMFT) eighth championship title—the most garnered out of all teams in the UAAP. This stint ultimately set the bar with many looking forward to witnessing their legacy on the pitch this ongoing Season 85.
The AWFT continues to impress with its exceptional talent, experience, and diversity on the field. With more national team members on their roster, the girls continue to elevate their standard of play to another level while inspiring other young women to pursue their passion for the sport.
Embracing change
The deep-rooted matter of Filipinos’ gravitation towards the mainstream basketball-loving community can be connected to the lack of resources and opportunities present to pursue football. Contrary to basketball, the lack of proper training facilities, coaches, and equipment cause many Filipinos to end up brushing over football.
As there is still a lack of support and infrastructure in Philippine football, the PFF needs to extend its grassroots program to make it accessible to everyone, especially the youth. Bringing back free football clinics, organizing more competitions, and holding frequent call-ups for promising talents will provide more avenues for budding athletes to showcase their skills and talents on a wider stage. Extending such opportunities will inspire a new wave in the football community that partakes in the shared beauty of the sport.
Reorganizing the current structure of the domestic football scene can also help overcome the country’s lack of attention towards the sport. Delving away from the elite or Manila-based squads and putting equal focus on provincial-based squads will provide a stronger groundwork for the local footballing culture and homegrown players. With a myriad of flourishing and untapped talent waiting to be discovered in other parts of the country, these become a testament to the rich football culture waiting to be unearthed.
Making it great again
For some, the beauty of football lies in the lifelong friendships that are formed on and off the field. “It’s not necessarily the competition side of it, but the holistic aspect of forming new connections with the people you thought you would never meet,” shares Tuaño.
For others like AMFT Co-Captain Jose Lopez, football is something that transcends the limitations of mere words. “[Football] is a feeling that doesn’t go away. No matter how old I am, or how far my life has been, I’m always gonna love football,” he expresses. “It’s just that it has greater meaning than anything I’ve ever experienced.”
The crux of spurring the growth of Philippine football lies in embracing change and growing with the sport. By celebrating and supporting the local football culture we have built, we foster a sense of national pride and unity through our shared love for the game.
Regardless of what draws us to the sport, football’s power to unite communities, break down barriers, and empower individuals make it a global language that symbolizes resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
