Phil focuses on football

MANILA, Philippines - Brothers Phil and James Younghusband have become the poster boy for football in the Philippines. Although being played by Filipinos for many years, the sport has won the public’s attention only in recent years. The Fil-Brits have contributed to its popularity and the Philippines has made a good impression in the international scene.

Proving the strong football presence here in the country is the Gatorade-Chelsea Football pitch, a sport facility along with Citykart Racing and Mountain Dew Skate Park located at the Circuit Makati. Done in partnership with Chelsea Football Club Soccer School Philippines and Pepsi, the pitch occupies the 10,000 square meters of Circuit Makati and serves as training venue for amateur clubs and national teams. By the way, Circuit Makati is a 20-year project that includes sports lifestyle facilities, residential units, a retail area, office space, a Seda Hotel, a performing arts theater and events ground.

“I’m happy. It’s good,” said Phil of the football pitch launch. “There will be more opportunities for football and for the children. We need more football pitches in the Philippines. So, this is a big step in helping Philippine football grow.”

Phil recalled the opportunities he had as a kid growing up in London to learn football and wished the same to Filipino kids, particularly in Manila, to experience. There are football fields in the Visayas (like in Bacolod). “Football is pang-masa; it’s for everyone,” he said. “Universally, it’s the sport for everyone, (there’s no) discrimination. You don’t need to be tall (to play football). What you need is quickness and hard work. It’s the sport for Filipinos.”

Phil couldn’t help but be grateful to those behind the latest sport development. So, congratulations to Ayala Land, Gatorade and Chelsea Soccer School. He didn’t expect that the construction of the football playing field would be fast. What catches the eye is the pitch’s color, which is blue. Phil said, “Masarap tignan ‘pag blue. Chelsea is kulay blue, so we needed a pitch na kulay blue.” 

Although the event was purely sports, the members of the press did squeeze in personal questions about Phil’s break-up with Angel Locsin during the launch of the Gatorade Chelsea Blue Pitch.

“I would say I am,” answered Phil when asked if he’s in a happier place. “I want to concentrate on football, on my family.” He added that he is not yet ready to have another “inspiration” in life. As for his next girlfriend, Phil said it doesn’t matter whether she is “showbiz or non- showbiz. What is important to me is that there is attraction, and there is the feeling. I don’t have a specific type.”

For now, Phil is all eyes on football because it keeps his mind off to many things. So, he strikes a balance between football and personal commitments.  

“When you are on the field, you just think of the ball and the game,” he said. “When I am home and there is not much to do, I just watch TV.” This time around, Phil has more time to “watch DVD, watch cinemas, (have) dinner with friends,” which he considers fun to do.