Support for the Azkals

The Philippine Azkals pulled off a scrappy 1-1 draw against Sri Lanka in the first leg of their battle in the World Cup Qualifier.

As I wrote before, there is still a very long way to go before reaching the World Cup. Tomorrow, the Azkals will host the Red Braves at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Philippines only needs a 0-0 draw to advance to the next stage because we have a flimsy one-away goal advantage.

The Sri Lankans seem much tougher than many of us thought and of course, a strong local support tomorrow will definitely boost the morale of the Azkals.

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I know that there is a big delegation of Cebuanos going to Manila for the game. 

The Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC) is also helping raise funds for the team and will have a delegation in Manila tomorrow.

The cost of maintaining the national football team runs into several millions of pesos. Yes, there have been a lot of support from private companies, but then much more is still needed.

The team has also been working to raise funds by selling shirts. I believe they have left several shirts to be sold in Cebu for those who still want to get their own Azkals merchandise.

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I received email from my cousin Lowell Belarmino of Hyundai Cebu yesterday, but it wasn’t about their cars. The email was about the Area-8Junior Shooters Program of the Philippine Practical Shooting Association (PPSA).

Lowell is the head of the program, which used to only provide gunpowder subsidy, but he wants to take it further.

As a doting sports dad himself, Lowell is also getting other parents to help the team acquire the necessary logistics like firearms, ammunition, and training.

He also hope to negotiate with the schools of those in the program, who are all 21 years old and younger, to include them in the varsity program or give them credits for PE or their NSTP for being part of such.

There is still much to be done, but this program can be a success if others would also chip in their share.

It doesn’t always have to be money. You can help in many ways to make this a success.

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Since we are in the topic of chipping in our share, today, my classmates from grade school at the University of San Carlos (formerly GHS) South Campus will be heading to Naga City to distribute rain gear and school supplies to several pre-school kids.

We have been doing these projects twice every years since 2006 and hope to continue doing so as long as we can.

To make this happen, we all contribute any amount that we can share and often we get more than enough to cover what we need.

Giving your little share can truly make something happen.

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MILESTONES: Belated greetings to Stephen Villamor, who turned a year older yesterday.

Today’s greetings go to my cousin-in-law Alex Manigsaca, Bobby Lloren, Kim Solano, Jenica Gagua, and Jully Venus Cuizon.

Advance greetings to those celebrating tomorrow like Catherine Alvarado-Menor, Ilde Carillo, Joselito Lee, Councilor Lea Ouano-Japson, Busay Barangay Captain Yody Sanchez, and Dr. Danny Vicencio, who are turning a year older tomorrow.

More power to all of you!