Star athlete close up Valentino 'Val' B. Calvo rising Cebuano football star

CEBU, Philippines - Unlike other Pinoy kids who are fascinated with shooting shoops with basketball being the most dominant sport in the Philippines, he fell in love with football at a very young age. At first, he played just for fun but as he further learned the ropes of the world’s most popular sport, he embraced it with a great measure of dedication and high level of competitiveness. The bedrock by which he laid the foundation of his career has propelled him to become one of Cebu’s brightest soccer stars today.

That’s just the beginning of what looks to be a colorful storyline of rising Cebuano booter Valentino “Val” B. Calvo.

“It was in my first grade when I started to play soccer. I learned to love it with the support of my family, especially my mother. My passion for the sport grew stronger and stronger,” said Calvo, who idolizes Argentine superstar Lionel Messi ‘because of the way he plays and the good attitude he is showing.”

“Before, I play just to have fun but as I have learned more and more techniques, I started playing wisely. I also get determined to do the best I can in every game. I learned to accept more responsibilities. To be humble when we win and to accept defeat when we lose. Most importantly, I gained discipline and mantained a positive attitude,” he added.

The 17-year-old Calvo jacked up his know-how of playing soccer when he joined a summer clinic at his beloved alma mater, the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC), a decade ago. 

It did not take long for him to excel in his field.

In 2009, Calvo clinched back-to-back MVP trophies during the Baguio Victory Cup and the Mizuno Football Cup. His biggest achievement bay far is winning the Most Outstanding Athlete (MOA) award during last year’s National Milo Little Olympics.

As he strives for excellence, Calvo said his parents are his chief driving force specially his ever-supportive mother Malu.

“My mom gives her 100 percent support to me. In times when we travel to different cities around the country, she is always there cheering for me. Most importantly, she never forgets to pray for me. Her presence is important to me because it inspires me to give my best in the game. And in times when she’s not watching, I still know that she’s praying for me and the team that we may give our best and win,” said Calvo.

Calvo’s impressive credential and experience gleaned on his 10-year stint with Don Bosco landed him a spot at the prestigious Ateneo de Manila University varsity team, becoming the second Bosconian in the lineup after Jico Noel.

Calvo said being a footballer has transformed him into a person of good moral values and character. Likewise, it is through soccer that he appreciated much the true essence of sportsmanship.

“Before every game, the team makes it a point to pray for our safety and that we may be given grace that we  win the game. In times when we commit fouls, we may show good sportsmanship and help the opponent get up and say sorry to them. And when the opponents are the ones commiting fouls, we must keep a cool head and be patient with them,” he said.

Though he works hard to reach his ultimate dream of making it to the Philippine Team and represent the country in international competitions someday, Calvo always put premium on his studies being his top priority. 

“I will always try to improve myself, to be better athlete. That has always been my aim, to be part of the national team, but I will always put my studies at the top of my priorities,” said Calvo, who is currently taking up Bachelor of Science in Management Information System at Ateneo.

When asked for a piece of enlightening words to the young ones who aspire to follow in his footsteps, Calvo said: “Just train hard and give your whole heart in the sport to be a successful player. And also keep a good attitude.” (FREEMAN)