FIFA World Cup craze hits Philippines

MANILA, Philippines -- FIFA World Cup fever hit Manila via the “Pinoy Football Fiesta” staged by the embassies of co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States at MOA Sky on Saturday.

Held coinciding with the opening of the football showpiece, the extravaganza featured a live watch party of the glitzy opening ceremony in Los Angeles and the match between the US and Paraguay, side by side with clinics for young players conducted by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).

Ambassadors David Hartman of Canada and Daniel Hernandez Joseph of Mexico, and US Embassy Charge D’affaires Ad Interim Bridgette Walker led the way in bringing the World Cup fever to the Philippines.

“Filipino society is so imbued with a sense of community, connection, joy and celebration so it couldn’t be more appropriate than for us to come together and celebrate and share this momentous occasion with our friends, partners and family here in the Philippines,” said Hartman.

“As hosts, it’s a way for us to bring that presence of the world to the Philippines and in that sense, make the Philippines a part of this celebration,” added Joseph.

“I know you’re all huge basketball fans which is great but I’m also happy to see that football is expanding. There’s a football clinic going on with young people excited and engaged. I’m really excited to see more how sports grow in the Philippines, not just here in Manila,” said Walker.

The PFF, represented by its head of women’s development Camille Rodriguez, joined the “Pinoy Football Fiesta” along with officials from SM Supermalls and Blast TV.

Today is a beautiful testament to sports diplomacy. Football is a global language that bridges borders and it’s our profound honor to see the host nations of this historic World Cup unite with us to share the beautiful game with the Filipino people,” PFF president John Gutierrez said in a statement read by Rodriguez.

Lifting up the mood of the attendees further was the swashbuckling performance of Team USA that they witnessed on the big screen. The Americans, led by the brace-scoring Folarin Balogun, overwhelmed Paraguay, 4-1, in front of a massive home crowd at the LA Stadium.