Tabloid Issue Vol XL No 3
By Kimberly Jane Sioco
Kicking their way into the spotlight.
For the last three years, football is taking the country by storm narrowing its spotlight to the Younghusbands of the Philippine Azkals to Manny V. Pangilinan’s Php80 million pledge for its development. Finally, the sport popularly known in the east as soccer kicked goal in the hearts of Filipinos.
The impressive football Cinderella-run inspired a cult-like following in the region. Football clubs sprout all over the country. Mini-tournaments were held and corporate sponsorships were flowing like a free booze in an open bar night.
And not missing a heartbeat in this trend is our very own FUTBulakenyos - thirsty for the spotlight.
Breaking Dawn
The FUTBulakenyos was last summer’s child, formed due to the unstable and unorganized rounds of established ball clubs holed up in adjacent provinces since Bulacan had no official team that could represent it in various competitions.
Then, buzz about the Xang-Li pockets and Central Luzon Football League (CLFL) reached Bulacan. As mentioned, with no official team to enter the tournament, Bulacan State University (BulSU) Football Team Coach Emmanuel Robles decided to form a squad to represent the province.
“Dati nang magkakasama ‘yong mga players under different teams nga lang. Then may nadagdag lang na alumni (BulSU graduates), tapos nag-isip na lang kami ng ibang pangalan,” said Robles.
Aggression and strength is not an issue because majority of its members were varsity kickers of BulSU, adding up the veterans from Bulacan Sunday United. Such combination proves to be lethal, with BulSUan footballers’ youthful vigor matched with Sunday United’s tried and tested wits, the marriage is a dynasty waiting to be unleashed.
“Okay ‘yong pagkakabuo ng team, kasi solid naman ‘yong line-up,” said BulSUan midfielder Alvin Dela Cruz.
Smooth start is an experience right at the birth of the FUTBulakenyos. Scheduling is not a problem. Trainings went on most of the time, if not all of the time.
“Hindi na naging problema ‘yong training no’ng simula. Kasi kami sa varsity year round naman ang training eh,” said BulSUan defender Jervis Roy Mendez which was seconded by mentor Coach Robles.
“Dire-deretso lang ang training ng mga varsity players, so bale ‘yong training ng FutBulakenyos, ay sinasabay namin sa training mismo na naka-schedule ng BulSU [Football Team] dahil ako rin naman ang coach,” he explained.
Drills are useless if they only faced each other most of the time, BulSU kickers with one another. Fortunately, the local squad is a nuptial of two major football teams and a plethora of soccer enthusiasts, providing an extensive variety of defensive prowess. Rookies versus Veterans could be a perfect combination.
“Nakakalaban din nila (BulSU Kickers) ‘yong iba. ‘Yong mga alumni at Bulacan Sunday United, nagkakaron sila ng game every morning ng Sunday.”
Good Mornings
FUTBulakenyos flexed its muscles in the earliest chance possible, grabbing the opportunity to challenge their abilities by impressing vets from the neighboring province at the Xang-Li Football Festival pocket tournament held in Pampanga last April.
The Bulakenyo kickers edged out Pampanga’s best during its first clash in the field, but Xang Li’s experienced thighs tied things up with the newcomers, giving FUTBulakenyos its first taste of defeat.
Nevertheless, a 1-1 series against a powerhouse club in Central Luzon is not bad for a rookie club.
“Unang una confident sila na kaya nila. High moral na rin sila dahil sila (BulSU Kickers) ‘yong nag-champion sa recent SCUAA III for four consecutive years, saka meron din silang background sa Futsal. Nag-national Futsal competition na din kasi sila,” said Coach Robles.
Xang-Li was only a taste of bigger things to come for the squad. As every footballer in the region knows, CLFL is the real deal of the summer.
The first ever football league of Central Luzon boot its way to the consciousness of masses last May 20. With ambitious forces coming from the powerhouse lands of Pampanga, Zambales and Tarlac, it is no walk in the park for FUTBulakenyos.
Round robin format of the competition took its toll to the bodies of Bulakenyo kickers. Humid weather and travel time affected the conditioning of the local footballers.
“Medyo mahirap din kasi minsan kadarating lang namin, laban na agad. Siyempre, galing lang kami sa byahe kaya medyo pagod pa talaga,” said mid fielder Dela Cruz.
But fatigue issues were brushed off as quickly as a single swift off to
pass the opposing defenders. With FUTBulakenyos’ astounding set plays and combinations, Bulacan’s pride route its way to an unblemished record. The flawless record was not a fluke, as FUTBulakenyos back it up via clinching CLFL’s first ever title.
“Masaya kami siyempre sa panalo na ‘yan. Kailangan mai-defend namin ‘to next year,” Mendez said.
The victorious month of May bought them fame in social networking sites, slowly achieving a ‘trending’ status.
“Medyo parang nakilala nga kami. Tapos naging popular ‘yong football sa Bulacan, lalo ngayon, madaming sumasali sa ‘min. Madaming umi-invite sa ‘ming maglaro sa ibang lugar, sa Manila na lang halimbawa,” said Mendez.
Bright Sunrise
Right now, Bulacan’s prime football team is knocking at doors for support.
“Every time na may game, namomroblema kami sa pera,” said footballer Jessie Gin Catino.
Exaggerating a tale should never be a fad of any sports squad. Twisting stories for fame and support isn’t their thing. But when they do talk about poverty in games, one has to wonder when their misery will end.
“May mga laban na muntik na kaming di makapunta. Imagine mo, 25 kami sa team, 16 lang kaming nakapunta dahil wala kaming pamasahe,” said Coach Robles.
But like most Filipinos, resourcefulness eventually saves the day.
“Iniiwan na lang ‘yong iba. ‘Tsaka ‘don na lang kami sumasakay sa kotse ng mga alumni namin,” said Catino.
FUTBulakenyos charming course isn’t a well-laced eat-all-you-can fine dining. The buffet is full yet predators are waiting, and the waiters? They’re not so appealing.
“Wala kaming support galing sa school, wala kaming support galing sa government, kasi ‘di kami makalapit dahil wala pa kaming pangalan, wala pa kaming pinatutunayan and wala pa kaming kayang ipagmalaki para sa kanila,” said Robles.
As of this moment, the sun shines brighter for FUTBulakenyos. Victories will now be a habit, a dynasty is now in the making and the winning tradition will soon become a reality.
And let that ‘reality’ pinch us a bit. Achieving legacy through championship titles also requires monetary support from the community.
The Team is sweating a lot, literally and figuratively speaking. One needs to be replenished to avoid dehydration and maintain its standards. What’s to worry, though? FUTBulakenyos is tough and ready for any obstacle that might get in the way. A team united is a team ready.
A team composed of budding heroes.
By Kimberly Jane Sioco
Kicking their way into the spotlight.
For the last three years, football is taking the country by storm narrowing its spotlight to the Younghusbands of the Philippine Azkals to Manny V. Pangilinan’s Php80 million pledge for its development. Finally, the sport popularly known in the east as soccer kicked goal in the hearts of Filipinos.
The impressive football Cinderella-run inspired a cult-like following in the region. Football clubs sprout all over the country. Mini-tournaments were held and corporate sponsorships were flowing like a free booze in an open bar night.
And not missing a heartbeat in this trend is our very own FUTBulakenyos - thirsty for the spotlight.
Breaking Dawn
The FUTBulakenyos was last summer’s child, formed due to the unstable and unorganized rounds of established ball clubs holed up in adjacent provinces since Bulacan had no official team that could represent it in various competitions.
Then, buzz about the Xang-Li pockets and Central Luzon Football League (CLFL) reached Bulacan. As mentioned, with no official team to enter the tournament, Bulacan State University (BulSU) Football Team Coach Emmanuel Robles decided to form a squad to represent the province.
“Dati nang magkakasama ‘yong mga players under different teams nga lang. Then may nadagdag lang na alumni (BulSU graduates), tapos nag-isip na lang kami ng ibang pangalan,” said Robles.
Aggression and strength is not an issue because majority of its members were varsity kickers of BulSU, adding up the veterans from Bulacan Sunday United. Such combination proves to be lethal, with BulSUan footballers’ youthful vigor matched with Sunday United’s tried and tested wits, the marriage is a dynasty waiting to be unleashed.
“Okay ‘yong pagkakabuo ng team, kasi solid naman ‘yong line-up,” said BulSUan midfielder Alvin Dela Cruz.
Smooth start is an experience right at the birth of the FUTBulakenyos. Scheduling is not a problem. Trainings went on most of the time, if not all of the time.
“Hindi na naging problema ‘yong training no’ng simula. Kasi kami sa varsity year round naman ang training eh,” said BulSUan defender Jervis Roy Mendez which was seconded by mentor Coach Robles.
“Dire-deretso lang ang training ng mga varsity players, so bale ‘yong training ng FutBulakenyos, ay sinasabay namin sa training mismo na naka-schedule ng BulSU [Football Team] dahil ako rin naman ang coach,” he explained.
Drills are useless if they only faced each other most of the time, BulSU kickers with one another. Fortunately, the local squad is a nuptial of two major football teams and a plethora of soccer enthusiasts, providing an extensive variety of defensive prowess. Rookies versus Veterans could be a perfect combination.
“Nakakalaban din nila (BulSU Kickers) ‘yong iba. ‘Yong mga alumni at Bulacan Sunday United, nagkakaron sila ng game every morning ng Sunday.”
Good Mornings
FUTBulakenyos flexed its muscles in the earliest chance possible, grabbing the opportunity to challenge their abilities by impressing vets from the neighboring province at the Xang-Li Football Festival pocket tournament held in Pampanga last April.
The Bulakenyo kickers edged out Pampanga’s best during its first clash in the field, but Xang Li’s experienced thighs tied things up with the newcomers, giving FUTBulakenyos its first taste of defeat.
Nevertheless, a 1-1 series against a powerhouse club in Central Luzon is not bad for a rookie club.
“Unang una confident sila na kaya nila. High moral na rin sila dahil sila (BulSU Kickers) ‘yong nag-champion sa recent SCUAA III for four consecutive years, saka meron din silang background sa Futsal. Nag-national Futsal competition na din kasi sila,” said Coach Robles.
Xang-Li was only a taste of bigger things to come for the squad. As every footballer in the region knows, CLFL is the real deal of the summer.
The first ever football league of Central Luzon boot its way to the consciousness of masses last May 20. With ambitious forces coming from the powerhouse lands of Pampanga, Zambales and Tarlac, it is no walk in the park for FUTBulakenyos.
Round robin format of the competition took its toll to the bodies of Bulakenyo kickers. Humid weather and travel time affected the conditioning of the local footballers.
“Medyo mahirap din kasi minsan kadarating lang namin, laban na agad. Siyempre, galing lang kami sa byahe kaya medyo pagod pa talaga,” said mid fielder Dela Cruz.
But fatigue issues were brushed off as quickly as a single swift off to
pass the opposing defenders. With FUTBulakenyos’ astounding set plays and combinations, Bulacan’s pride route its way to an unblemished record. The flawless record was not a fluke, as FUTBulakenyos back it up via clinching CLFL’s first ever title.
“Masaya kami siyempre sa panalo na ‘yan. Kailangan mai-defend namin ‘to next year,” Mendez said.
The victorious month of May bought them fame in social networking sites, slowly achieving a ‘trending’ status.
“Medyo parang nakilala nga kami. Tapos naging popular ‘yong football sa Bulacan, lalo ngayon, madaming sumasali sa ‘min. Madaming umi-invite sa ‘ming maglaro sa ibang lugar, sa Manila na lang halimbawa,” said Mendez.
Bright Sunrise
Right now, Bulacan’s prime football team is knocking at doors for support.
“Every time na may game, namomroblema kami sa pera,” said footballer Jessie Gin Catino.
Exaggerating a tale should never be a fad of any sports squad. Twisting stories for fame and support isn’t their thing. But when they do talk about poverty in games, one has to wonder when their misery will end.
“May mga laban na muntik na kaming di makapunta. Imagine mo, 25 kami sa team, 16 lang kaming nakapunta dahil wala kaming pamasahe,” said Coach Robles.
But like most Filipinos, resourcefulness eventually saves the day.
“Iniiwan na lang ‘yong iba. ‘Tsaka ‘don na lang kami sumasakay sa kotse ng mga alumni namin,” said Catino.
FUTBulakenyos charming course isn’t a well-laced eat-all-you-can fine dining. The buffet is full yet predators are waiting, and the waiters? They’re not so appealing.
“Wala kaming support galing sa school, wala kaming support galing sa government, kasi ‘di kami makalapit dahil wala pa kaming pangalan, wala pa kaming pinatutunayan and wala pa kaming kayang ipagmalaki para sa kanila,” said Robles.
As of this moment, the sun shines brighter for FUTBulakenyos. Victories will now be a habit, a dynasty is now in the making and the winning tradition will soon become a reality.
And let that ‘reality’ pinch us a bit. Achieving legacy through championship titles also requires monetary support from the community.
The Team is sweating a lot, literally and figuratively speaking. One needs to be replenished to avoid dehydration and maintain its standards. What’s to worry, though? FUTBulakenyos is tough and ready for any obstacle that might get in the way. A team united is a team ready.
A team composed of budding heroes.