Paulino Alcantara and the brief history of Football in the Philippines

Paulino Alcantara

Have you heard about Paulino Alcantara?

I guess not.

Well, days ago, while I was browsing on some blogs, news articles and commentaries on the web related to the recent win of the Philippines to Mongolia in a football match, quite some few Football hardcore fanatics mentioned the name of  Paulino Alcantara. To my curiosity, I searched his name on the web which accidentally routed me into a piece of history about a great man I never knew had exist before and the evolution of Football here in the country.

Just so you know, Paulino Alcantara was a Spanish-Filipino Manager and Football player who once led the Philippines during its victorious years in International Football. He also played for FC Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain wherein he had set an impressive record of 357 goals in 357 matches. Genuinely amazing man we had then.

For the Filipinos at that time, Paulino was a true Filipino pride in the field of International Football. He might have been as popular as Manny Paquiao of boxing, to say the least, at his time. Unfortunately, with the sudden unpopularity of Football in the country during the late 30’s that continued into a decades, his name had also been long forgotten in the minds of the people. Completely gone.

Anyway, as you all know, we actually have a very brief history of Football here in the Philippines mainly due to its unpopularity.

Many Filipinos might be surprised to know that we are holding the record for being the oldest Football team in Asia. But sadly, also for the record, we haven’t achieved any success in International Football competition like AFC Cup and FIFA World Cup up to this date. Although, it was quite an achievement to have once beaten the currently reigning Asian Champion, Japan, during 1917 but that was way long ago.

After World War II, we seemed to have no record of any sports event related to Football. While some sports were starting to emerged and captured the interest of the Filipino, Football as well as our National Football Team seemed to both perished.

The long period of unpopularity of Football in the country could partly be blamed to the Americans who introduced and engaged the Filipinos in Basketball, the most popular sports in the country. The basketball overshadowed the sport of Football and even making hard for it to rise up and start with because Filipinos made basketball as their favorite past time. Being the dominant sport, basketball made football completely unnoticed by the Filipinos for the longest time.

Well, not until the rise again of the Philippine National Football Team in the the early 21st century. Though, they are still likely be ignored by the Filipinos, their effort and  passion to revive the sport of Football in the country were something stupendous.  Hoping to win and cut some attention from the people, they were bravely and painstakingly competing in International Football Cup without even a glimpse of support from the masses.

Then came the moment they’re all waiting for.  Fourth quarter of last year when they made it through the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup. The game drawn much attention from the Filipino people. Though, eventually loss to Indonesia, it was still a victory for the Philippine Football Team for getting back the the lost attention, interest and recognition of Football in the country.

Over the last 5 months, the Philippine Azkals (as they are widely known) had given much attention by our Government officials, the media and by the public, the Filipinos in general. They even received a showering of support from International Community. The very thing they did not barely experience these past years and surely for decades now.

Clearly, The Philippine Football Team has already made a resounding comeback. With a group of a more competent players and the overwhelming support from the people which gives them courage and confidence, there’s no doubt our Team will surely go places and conquer the World Football Arena in no time. We just have to have a continuing faith and believe.

And as the Filipinos become aware, passionate and slowly learning the language of the world, they’re starting to know about a man who once gave glory to the country and eventually starting to realize that we actually have a bright future in this sport as it was proven by that man. And definitely not for a long time now, for sure, Paulino Alcantara’s name will be recognized and glorified again by the Filipinos.

The President’s Women, the Media and Another Filipino Mediocrity.

Noynoy and his date. ‘more to come’

In formality, people would think that most if not all news about the President are preoccupied with state affairs, but apparentlly NOT in our country wherein the President’s lovelife is being stressed out more importantly than national issues and concerns.

It was reported days ago that the President is recently dating another girl (unnamed) soon after a young fashion designer reportedly busted him out of unknown reason. But before that, of course, who would have forgot the affair PNoy had with a lady councilor and their not-so-controversial break up. All that happened within 5 months or while he assuming the position of Presidency. It is really weird to think how PNoy quickly recovered and moved on after a broke-up with someone or after he dumped off. Emotionally stoned? I hope not.

Rumor has it, that he had an affair with a former starlet and a female reporter of a known network. With his age and character, I assume there were a bunch of girls who came across the President’s heart. But of course, the list could only filled out by PNoy himself and by the people closests to him. Like Kris Aquino, who else? Oh, and Boy Abunda perhaps.

Good thing about PNoy, he constantly pronouncing that he doesn’t want his love affair with someone to come out in public. A kind of demand most likely to be junked by the people of a country whose ‘gossiping’ has been part of a culture. Everyone deserve a right to privacy, unfortunately, this seems to be impossible if you are holding the highest position of the land. It’s kinda proven many times before.

The media should take part as to how this brouhaha keep on coming out in the public. I genuinely believe that they intentionally publicized their scoops about PNoy’s lovelife for profit and popularity sake. They knew the people wouldn’t buy their report if it is about the incompetency and undecency of this government. Most Filipinos would rather watch and follow a sweet love story of the President in the national television than to see the sad reality of the country. This is how the media works in the country, ”what you want is what we give“ irregardless if the news is unworthy and unsubstantial. Another typical Pinoy mediocrity.

Should PNoy need to have a “First Lady”? Not necessarilly. After all, it was his late mother said that the best ideal of a leader is a single individual.

I once read an article that says PNoy owe as a wedding at the palace. I’m afraid to think that he thinks likewise that’s the why he constantly dating women. PNoy, you do not owe us a wedding or any sorts. What you owe the Filipino people is the betterment of the country and your divine word that you will curbed corruption in the Government to end poverty.

Obviously, there are a lot of problems and issues in the country that need to be addressed and resolved. The President should take the lead. It is very unbecoming for a President to be involved in a world of entetainment.

Pnoy, if you truly wanted a privacy, learn to do your flirtings in secret and stay away abit from the media. You’ll never know the latter might be the one that cause and lead you to your own grave.