Filipinas legacy flourishes as Quezon City school sets up historic football camp
MANILA, Philippines – It was a scorching hot Tuesday afternoon on the grounds of St. Theresa’s College (STC) in Quezon City, where some 40 girls stood clad in football jerseys as another session of the school’s maiden women’s football program commenced.
Goal posts were set up in a makeshift nine-a-side field on the bumpy grade school lawn as kids from first to sixth grade eagerly waited for the barking orders of their coaches.
For anyone on the outside looking in, it wasn’t too special of a sight. But for those aware of the story behind it all, seeing the girls running back and forth dribbling a football was something to behold.
In the school’s lengthy history, since its founding in 1947, there hasn’t been a women’s football program for their students — that is, until the Philippine women’s national football team won the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship on home soil.
STC QC parent Karl Tan, along with his daughter Zia, had been in the stands of the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila when the Filipinas made history — bringing home the Philippines’ first-ever championship in football, whether for men’s or women’s.
Inspired by the team’s feat, the gears began turning in Karl’s head as he planted the seeds of what would become STC QC’s first-ever women’s football team — The STC Golden Zebras.
Beginning history
Shortly after the Filipinas won the championship in July 2022, Karl helped organize a parenting seminar centered on football, an idea the school welcomed.
Coach Aris Caslib facilitated the talk through Karl and was well-received by the parents, who were quick to subscribe to what Karl and Coach Aris were saying. Not long after, school directress Maria Bayle approached Karl to ask him about potentially setting up a football program in the school.
After months of seeking approval on his concept for the program, the wheels finally turned around summer of last year.
Under the tutelage of Coach Roxy Dorlas, along with his assistants Matt Parris, Joem Logarta, Jing Jambre, Gill Birdi, Christian Schaffner and Paolo Javier, the Golden Zebras were on the move.
Knowing that it was a first-time thing, Karl admitted that there were some doubts in his mind on what it would look like on opening day. But to his pleasant surprise, more than enough parents were inspired to get their kids into the beautiful game.
“The day came and there were like 65 students there and I was shocked, I didn’t know what to say… I was fulfilled, at the same time, excited, because the school never really had a football program before.” Karl told Philstar.com.
Karl himself was a football player during his time in San Beda, and is now handling and managing the “Ang Liga” football tournament. But now, football has turned itself into a family affair, with his daughter Zia now getting into the mix after the AFF Women’s Championship and the STC football program.
“At first, she really didn’t know the players that were playing, but she was cheering because it was the Philippines,” Karl said of their experience watching the Filipinas live back in 2022.
“Then eventually, [with] this program, that’s how she got to know the players and eventually the World Cup started, that’s the whole thing,”
Growing family
But it wasn’t just Zia that grew to love the sport as a plethora of parents found themselves caught up in football barely a year after the program found itself in STC.
“Actually, I didn’t expect that it would be fun, not just for my daughter but also for us parents. My daughter is actually a swimmer, she was into swimming. Then we just asked her if she wanted to try football, because her best friend was here… Now [JL] doesn’t want to stop anymore.” said Jerryl Abad, mother of eight-year-old player JL Abad.
Much like any other sport, parents like Karen Palma, whose 10-year-old daughter Sarah is part of the program, also realize the learnings outside of the pitch that football can give. Knowing that holistic development can be achieved outside of the four walls of the classroom, she’s encouraged to see her daughter play.
“It’s good, yung camaraderie sa mga bata, sa co-players nila, and then yung sportsmanship. Then there’s discipline. Alam mo yung gigising sila nang maagang maaga pagdating sa football, masaya sila,” she said.
The sentiment was echoed by her fellow STC parent Gella Llave, as they lounged beside the pitch. They looked on as their daughters ran around the grass, with knee-high socks and all.
“I’m sure kasi na marami siyang matututunan, aside from the play. Kasi nung first time nila, talagang laro-laro lang. Ngayon, medyo yung training nila mas intense na. So natututo na siya… Sana magtuloy-tuloy and matuwa siya sa sports na ito,” said Gella, whose 6-year-old daughter Aria is a newcomer to the program.
Another parent seemed to be more appreciative than most, though, as football carried a lot of importance for Atty. Coryell Palarca, father of 10-year-old Crishelle. Not many are aware, but like Karl, he was also previously a football player.
Seeing things be better for his daughter, Atty. Coryell couldn’t help but express his joy at what happened in STC.
“During our time, this is such a rare sight to see, football programs that are readily available for the youth,” he said.
“Like with any other parent’s wish for their children na the future will be a better [place] for them. In football, it’s just the same din for me,” he added.
You can be what you can see
When it comes to what the future holds, Karl believes that the success of the program lies as much as on the players as it does on the team that started it all: the Filipinas.
Placing themselves as a beacon of hope for the young girls of STC, Karl trusts that as long as the next generation of football players see their ates moving in the right direction, there’s nothing stopping their own belief in what they can do.
As expected, the Filipinas have been nothing but supportive of the efforts in their own little way — with Filipinas Camille Rodriguez and Shai Del Campo dropping by for a couple of sessions to further inspire the kids.
Last December, the Filipinas also featured the program on their social media page as one of the entries in promoting inspiring fan stories from the World Cup year.
“[The Filipinas] gave a window of opportunity for these little girls, that it’s possible to dream, that they can play at a certain international level,” said Karl.
“And [the Filipinas] have to keep believing, because without the belief, these kids wouldn't have it, that they can do it. So they made it to the World Cup stage, everyone, [and] all of these girls watched, after school… You know their hearts are into it.” he added.
Moving forward
Of course, no program is about to be a success overnight, and Karl is well aware of this.
Despite the program being in its infancy, the STC Golden Zebras have seen action in multiple competitions, like multiple RIFA legs, the Ropa Cup and the Woodrose International.
Though stinging defeats have been part of the journey, Karl believes there is much to expect from the girls as time goes on.
“I’m hopeful. I do believe in these kids,” he said.
And no less than program assistant coach Matt Parris mirrored his sentiments.
While admitting that from a football standpoint the girls leave much to be desired, coach Matt sees a lot of positives from his kids.
“It’s a very good idea, the girls here, especially in the Philippines, need this kind of organization so that they can play… [But] It’s been really good to see the development of the girls.” said Parris.
“They’re like any 9, 10 year olds, they mess around sometimes but yeah, they’re focused when it comes to it.”
Asked on what he dreams for his students, Parris had a simple answer.
“For me, especially at this level, it is just for them to keep playing… Keep enjoying it, keep having fun, trying to get better. Some girls might have the ability to step up and go to the next level, some of them might not, but as long as they enjoy it as they go through, [that’s enough],” said the tactician.
“Football is not just about let’s go make a pro player, because it doesn’t work like that… It’s more about creating better people, creating memories, you know, teamwork, leadership, all that kind of stuff, that’s what comes into grassroots football.”
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