Why football? Because, as the script says, the sport says so much about the Filipino spirit.
Sometimes, it’s that one goal that makes all the difference.
Co-written with Nikki del Carmen.
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“Football had come a long way from its home in England.
The sport had won the hearts of those outside of Europe, even in parts of Asia.
Japan and Korea are recognized leaders in the game, and most of Southeast Asia followed and loved the beautiful game.
But in the Philippines, it began with one team.
A team that sought to make a name for themselves, even when few else followed their sport.
While most of the country found their heroes and medals in basketball, boxing, or billiards, they kept on playing football.
They trained, they played to win, even when they were ignored.
Even when they hit their lowest, they never gave up.
Then came 2010, the AFF Suzuki Cup.
They swept through the group stages, undefeated.
Then came the game when they conquered defending champion, Vietnam.
For the first time ever, in the history of the team, they reached the semi-finals.
The news hit home, word spread, the country finally took notice.
They cheered!
No longer ignored, more people tuned in to follow the team as they prepared for their semi-finals. Bars and restaurants filled with fans, new and old, wanting to catch a glimpse of the game.
To everyone’s dismay, they were defeated. But, it was only the beginning.
They may have lost the tournament, but won an even bigger battle: the hearts of their countrymen.
They left the country as underdogs, but came home accepted by many as Filipino champions.
A team which started out as nobodies came home heroes.
And at THAT moment, it felt that Football was here to stay.
And sure, what does the Philippines know about Football?
Not a lot, definitely.
But just like that one team, we WILL persevere, and we WILL overcome.
Because THAT is who we are, THAT is our story.”
CREDITS
Film by Nikki del Carmen
Written by Nikki del Carmen and Mia Marci
VO by Ebong Joson, the Blue Haired Fanatic
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