CEBU, Philippines - The global love for football has been institutionalized in the Field of Hope, a long-term football advocacy program that was started by Futkalero Pedro (Futkal founder Peter Amores). The program uses football as a tool for social change and development. It is also involved in rehabilitating communities that were affected by super typhoon Haiyan (or Yolanda). Of particular interest to the Field of Hope is helping children recover from the trauma, rebuild their lives, and put them on the road to a brighter future through football.
"Have a taste of the beautiful game outside the pitch," Futkalero Pedro invites. "It's not just a game, it's a way of life." The response to the invitation has been tremendous. Many celebrities have come out in the open professing their love for the sport.
The business sector has responded too. Brazil's well-loved flip-flops brand, Havaianas, comes out with a limited edition Team Havaianas Collection - a special set of flip-flops that celebrate the sport's greatest teams and invite aficionados to pledge their allegiance to football in true fashion. The assortment features designs of the world's most iconic football national teams, led by the powerhouses Brazil, Spain, Argentina, France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Portugal, among others. A portion of the sales from the Team Havaianas Collection goes to the Field of Hope.
In partnership with Project Headshot Clinic and celebrated photographer Niccolo Cosme, Havaianas unites with over 40 individuals - a mix of football enthusiasts, coaches, players, and celebrities who have an affinity to football - to rally support for the Field of Hope and help spread awareness about it. Some notable names are Freddy Gonzalez, James Younghusband, Matteo Guidicelli, Vanessa Matsunaga, Gabby de la Merced, and Reema Chanco, among many more.
In Cebu, the Havaianas Teams Collection is available in All Flip-Flops stores in Ayala Center Cebu; Northwing of SM City Cebu; and SM City Consolacion, and at other outlets as listed in www.havaianas.com. (FREEMAN)