Mia Marci is a published writer who now works in in content design as a UX Writer.
She has written about food, art, and lifestyle. She also does content strategy and copywriting for brands. Her articles have been published in Inquirer Lifestyle, Pepper.ph, Uno Magazine, FemaleNetwork.com, and The Philippine Star.
She also works as teacher with a Diploma in Language and Literacy Education from UP Open University. Her fields of study are in English, English language teaching, and online and distance learning.
First published on Female Network, November 23, 2013. This assignment was a lot of fun to do.
The holidays are just around the corner, and it’s that magical time of the year where everyone gets together–and you know we mean every one. Family time does not always mean happy time, even on special occasions. Here are a few scenarios which may sound uncomfortably familiar, and a tip or two on how to survive them.
Originally published on Marci 6, 2014 on Pepper. Words by me, photos and text editing with additional reporting by Lars Roxas. Photo editing by Mylene Chung.
It started with a joke. At least, I thought it was a joke.
I was late for a good friend’s party. I had missed the singing of the birthday song and the blowing out of the candles, but there was still a lot of cake. My friend cheerfully offered me a slice. “Would you like cake from Bilibid?” she asked. I didn’t believe her, being used to bouts of irreverence from my friends, but I did accept the cake.
She sliced me a piece from the spongy golden cake, its sticky yellow icing glistening under the flourescent light in their dining room. I was surprised at how fluffy it was. If she hadn’t said anything, I would have thought they’d bought it from a direct order baker. “No, really,” she insisted, “Bilibid.”
“How did you get this cake from there?” I asked. Little did I know that the answer would lead me from the comforts of their home to the Maximum Security Compound of the New Bilibid Prison.
“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.
