RP fields street kids in Football World Cup

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines will field in a team composed of nine street kids from various charitable institutions in the first Deloitte Street Child Football World Cup slated March 15-23 in South Africa.

Tuloy sa Don Bosco’s Erica Mae Inocencio, one of the only three girls in the squad, will skipper the squad that includes John Robert Garlan (defense), Ladylyn Ampe (striker), Noriel Pineones (midfield), Raymond Ilona (right wing), Jayson Simangan (defense), Roberto Orlandez Jr. (goalie) and Lorelyn Cabanayan (striker).

Jonah Garrido and Gerry Boy Joaquino will be the team’s reserves.

This group of football-crazy kids aged 14-16 years old were products of the Pinoy Futbol Festival which drew kids from various agencies and foundations that help and look after unfortunate kids in the streets.

Greg Burrows, who helped draw the team sponsors here and from the United Kingdom, particularly from the UK Chamber of Commerce, sees good RP chances in the upcoming event.

“Contrary to popular belief, this bunch of young men is no underdog. They actually have a strong chance of competing against the best of the best in the world,” said Burrows, a Briton who has been in the country for nearly three decades and is now helping various charitable institutions.

The formation of the team, mentored by Jess Landagan, was made possible by the Moran Foundation, Deutsche Bank, Amicci, UK Chamber of Commerce and various institutions that pick street kids and help them become better people like the Tuloy sa Don Bosco in Alabang, Muntinlipa.

Burrows, RP football’s Ed Formoso, Peter Moran of the Moran Foundation, Damian Dunn of Deutsche Bank and representatives of Amicci graced the team’s launch at the Tuloy sa Don Bosco Center over the weekend.