On being a BLUE GUARD....

In one of the memorable moments in the movie "the last Samurai" , Emperor Meji asked Algren how the Samurai Katsumoto died, Algren responded " I will tell you how he lived"...

I never got the chance play with Vic Dualan, but was honored to share a bottle or six with him under our acacia tree.The same could be said to Iste, Boy C., Mike C. and a host of others that have passed on to tie their boots in the great football field in the sky.

Some of them, like Vic D. , went even when he could not play anymore, but still he came... to watch, to cheer, to coach a little and most importantly, to impart a little wisdom to the newbies. It was during this that I finally came to understand how it is to be a Blueguard...We often hear in jest among ourselves that we play  in order to get an excuse to drink every Sunday and that our motto is "win or loose its the beer we choose". We always have a good laugh and drink a toast to this for after all, we are weekend warriors, thankful for having the chance to relive our exploits and glory every Sunday and coming home a little bit younger for it.

But what they don't realize is that it is the other way around. Drinking was just an excuse to pay homage to the beautiful game. Long before the azkals became a household name, when in tournaments where the players were more plentiful than the fans...we played on because we love the game. Willing to embrace camaraderie with almost anyone who loved the sport. whether rich or poor, asshole or not, for it does not matter as long as they are our assholes! For after all, football made us a band of brothers. Not caring anymore who won or who lost but more importantly, is that we continue to play on.

Now, with the resurgence of the sport in the time of azkals, because of the lessons imparted by those who played before me, I am proud to show my pedigree, I am a Blueguard. Always willing to play and shout proudly "BLUEGUARDS FIGHT"!

Azkal Fever....Azkal Forever!

I have played football almost my whole life. Played in varsity teams since my elementary, high school and college days. And up to now, I  still play weekends with my club team the Blueguards FC. Being such, you can say that I am a football fanatic. But in an ironic twist of fate, our race of vertically challenged citizens chose to embrace the sport of giants and embraced it as an almost religion.
But we have kept the faith. Always believing that the time of Philippine football will come.For here is a sport where our race can excel. Height is not a a big factor. Skill, speed and technique are the key. The sport does not discriminate. It can be played in open spaces and in other countries, even on the street. All it takes is willing players and a ball. I recall playing in the hallways of school using rolled up papers bound with masking tape as a ball and remember the joy and laughter that accompanied our games.
The recent showing of our Mens National team in regional tournament s has created new interest in football. It sure does help that some of the players are model material, thus making for a good ambassadors for the sport. The influx of Fil foreigners wanting to play for our country is a bane to the sport. In a sort of reverse brain (?) drain, they are coming here (most at their own expense) to play for the motherland and we have reaped tremendous dividends from it.

Now, in a few days time, we would be playing an international match in Bacolod City. Never before has a football game created such hype and  interest in our country. Sure, there are high expectations But we can do it. After being in the shadows of basketball for so long, We believe that the time for Pilipinas Futbol has come. And We, the faithful will be there to stand as witnesses...