05 July 2011

the azkals experience!





i'm a big football fan. ever since i was young, my brother made me sit beside him to watch world cup matches. he didn't play the sport, he's just a fan as well, but he taught me how to love the game.

i got the chance to meet azkals team manager dan palami at a unicef charity event where the azkals had a contribution, and i took the chance to ask him how i could get tickets to the july 3 world cup qualifier match against sri lanka here in manila. he happily said he'll send me tickets. and he did. :)



woohoooooo!!!! no way on earth i would miss this game. not on tv. live. right here in manila. the chance to cheer for the philippines. game on.

the traffic in manila on the roads leading to rizal memorial stadium was insane. there were banners everywhere cheering for the philippines! it was an awesome day for pinoy pride to shine! even the pedicabs had tarps to cheer on the azkals!



most of the spectators decided to just walk it. the energy on the streets while walking to the stadium was un-be-lie-va-ble!!!! there were people cheering, people with face paint, and vuvuzelas went off everywhere! yes! there were vuvuzelas! i wish i brought mine!



heading into the stadium, we bumped into so many familiar faces! old schoolmates who used to play football, friends who we watched world cup matches with, uncles who brought their kids, everyone who loved football was in rizal that day!



the sky was gloomy and the clouds were dark. the air was cool and there was a strong breeze to keep everyone in a great mood. the pitch was beautiful.



from the bleachers to the grandstand, the place was packed! it was so awesome to see so many people come together for the love of football!



the whistle went off, and the game began. everyone screamed and cheered at every single possession of the philippines! the rain was pouring as in it was raining cats and dogs for probably the first ten minutes of the game, but the fans who were soaking wet were enjoying every minute of it!



in the first part of the match alone, the azkals probably had 95% possession of the ball. the boys were in high spirits! and sure enough, in the 18th minute into the first half, after some seriously and sickeningly beautiful footwork, chieffy caligdong scored the first goal!!!!



after some serious screaming and dancing on the stands, everyone finally sat down and that was when i decided to take a photo! to prove that i really was there! hahaha! this is me with my dear friend henry, a big football fan himself! he actually went to south africa for semis of the last world cup!!!! lucky shmuck!



and because no one else would take our group photo, i had to take a photo of henry (again) and another dear friend maui! both henry and maui used to play football way back when they were in southridge, and both were wishing they never stopped playing! (dream on, boys! haha!)



a bit before half time, on the 42nd minute, after a lot of good attempts, phil younghusband scored a second goal for the philippines!!!! it was quite an anti-climactic goal cause the ball went in, and the crowd went wild, then the match officials had to discuss if there was indeed a foul and the goal wouldn't count, then the officials announced that it was clear, and the crowd went wild again! hahahahaha!



during half time everyone was in extremely high spirits, given that the score was philippines - 2, sri lanka - 0! then in the bleacher section, a huge philippine flag was passed around from one side of the field to the other! it was awesome!



whistle goes off again. second half. the crowds vocal chords were just about to recover from all the screaming in the first half when after outsmarting sri lankan defenders, angel guirado scored a third goal for the philippines on the 50th minute!!!! woohoo! as you can see everyone was jumping and screaming, which is why the photo is blurry. haha!



then, in the 56th minute, after stephan shrock was tackled by a defender inside the box, phil younghusband scored his second goal for the game via a clean and strong penalty kick!!!! 4-0 baby! yeaaaah!



at this point, everyone was just celebrating! there was clapping, cheering, screaming, dancing.. and of course, the infamous waaaaaaaaaaave!



after just a few minutes of injury time, the whistle went off for the last time, and everyone celebrated! 4-0, the philippines wins over sri lanka!!!!!!!! good job azkals!!!! you make every filipino proud to be pinoy!!!!



watching football live is an experience like no other. wow. :) and if the game high wasn't enough, on the way out, the sweetest azkals fans gave me this baller band as a gift. i love it! thank you whoever you are! :)



it is sooo good to see the love for football so alive in the philippines!!!! go azkals!!!!

27 comments:

Maureen Manuel said...

Wee! I really REALLY want to watch them play live on July 28! weee So proud :) ms. bianca, please do check my blog too >.< momamanuel.tumblr.com It's not just style blogs but i try to write about pinoy designers/models :)

Jen said...

i so like it! =)

Anonymous said...

only my blogger friends from the Philippines got the chance to watch the game LIVE and FREE..

nainggit tuloy ako sa inyo.. hope to watch live Azkals game next time. :)

Unknown said...

Like you, Bianca, I am a football purist as well. A passionate one and I even cheer the Azkals' football chants back home when I watched it on TV. Football is such a beautiful sport, isn't it? People are now appreciating the beautiful sport from thinking that the sport is boring, which is not really. The passion, the drama, the little bit of violence, the tension, all of these can be seen of the football pitch. The colors, the flags, the chants, the unity, the sportsmanship of the people. That's why I love football. I love that the PFF and La Salle put their efforts on renovating the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The pitch was stupendous. I am quite nervous on our next assignment against Kuwait. Of course that you're aware that Kuwait is an Asian powerhouse in football. One of the developed nations in Asian football. Made a rare World Cup appearance in '82 and long-time Asian Cup participants. I hope that we can have a scoreless draw or somehow we can score on their backs. It's not impossible to win against them because anything can happen on football, right? Although you are an avid Barcelona fan and I am a passionate Manchester United fan (Glory, glory, MANUnited!), we are united with the people of the Philippines, sharing the love of our beloved sport and showing to the people what football can do in a country, having that unity just like a Pacquiao fight! Hopefully the sport grows, more sponsors to come and let's keep it rolling. Go Azkals Go!

Uhmyell said...

had great fun too! at nabasa pa kami, even more fun!

Anonymous said...

awww! im SuperInggit! hehehe.. azkals FTW! i actually am not a fan of football (or any ball games!) until i saw how great team Azkals is!

Nica said...

I've been wanting to watch the game of Azkals! :) Thanks for posting these!
Have an awesome week Biancs! :D

Mel said...

That was a great day for Philippine sports! Pinoy pride at its finest. :)

romy said...

Thanks for the play by play account of the game. You're so good a writer that even if I'm not there, I could visualize what happened to the game through your account. Take care and keep up the good work.

mymy said...

wow!!i wish i experienced that too..exciting manood sa live telecast how much more in stadium..:)

nice job azkals!!u make evry Filipinos proud..congrats!!

Jen said...

I was the one who tweeted u about "cirque du soleil". I wonder if u would blog about it too? hehe... I wish u could read my blogs too someday. =)

Meikah said...

It was an awesome experience indeed! We were there, too! :) We hope to be there again on July 28th for the Azkals-Kuwait match. Go Azkals!!!

Jen said...

Hey Bianca, I just wonder if u have a boyfriend? Sometimes, when I am reading your blogs, I could see myself so much in you. A very free-spirited person. But I, too am much happy being that way, and with no one to make me feel better..I mean , even without someone else. Anyway, I wish you would reply even one of my tweets. I would be the happiest!!! (@jenannevee) anyway, u dnt have to accept this..just keep on inspiring people. Godspeed!

Angelo Pedrosa said...

Kuya Dan is my friend/classmates brother here in Tacloban. Sana binigyan din ako ng ticket:)

Unknown said...

I love how you blog!! feeling ko andun din ako!!! :))

melancholeah said...

It's nice that you were able to watch the Azkals live and for that I'm a bit envious.
By the way, I would also like to share that we kind of have the same experience with [our]older brother, my kuya loves to watch Formula1 and tennis. Di ba dapat pinagbibigyan ang mas bata o mga bunso, but I had no choice, either i watch with him or do something else but eventually i grow to love what he's watching and until today i still religously watch 'em.=D
kuyas..

Unknown said...

I hope 'tis true that the Filipinos will continue to embrace football and not just because of the hype of the Azkals. Somehow these guys have become celebrities and it's pretty easy to get lost into translation from loving the game to just simply idolize personalities.

dainee verallo said...

yep. FOOTBALL is alive here in Philippines. I love football too and i do wish that i can watch them live since i live in cagayan de oro. Gustong gusto ko talaga sila and im soo happy for you that you wer able to watch it live sana ako din inGods time. :)) Well, anyhow Let the football craze begins ! in PHILIPPINES.

heres my blog ate B : http://soccerhead.tumblr.com/

:)) I love yah !

rachel said...

Rachel Raval
17 yrs old
MSU-IIT/student
Iligan city
@rachelricafort/missu_ray@yahoo.com
15 August 2011
i wish i could fly business class all the time.because i'd love to travel and explore. its fun and feels like being free from the stressors who never left me. and someday i wanna tour europe. not to go their for work but just to roam around their city :D
i'd like to win converse chuck taylor. i think its for me :)) haha. its good to travel in shoes :) no worries for the weather :)

Joanne Rose Torotoro said...

name: Joanne Rose B. Torotoro
age: 26 years old
occupation: EA to the President (real estate company)
city you live in: Davao City
twitter id/e-mail address:
* twitter: payatjoh_yamtp
* e-mail ad: shamrock_distance@yahoo.com and payatgk@gmail.com
fave blog post: loco over roco (June 2011 entry)

* i love reading your blog, especially when your adorable nephew is the main topic hehe. just like you, i'm head over heels in love with my nephews.. :D i super duper love them. we have some skype sessions also since i'm leaving 8 hours away from my hometown, i got to see them only during long holidays like Holy Week and Christmas season. ;( super love the vid of roco hehe.

which items:

1. chuck taylor: for me and my sister. my sister and i both love shoes. i want to give it to her as my late b-day present.

2. nike gear: this is for my elder brother. he is a current coach of a volleyball team in one of the university in our hometown. he would surely love this. i was thinking of him when i read your blog earlier.

3.l'oreal: i'm a l'oreal user also. :) i love their products. i would like to share this to my mom also. i would like to pamper herself thru these products. she is a retired teacher now, we told her to have an early retirement because of her health condition. she would surely appreciate this..

* Bianca G., kudos!! Happy 8th anniversary to your amazing blog!! Eight years of inspiring other people. more wonderful years to come. continue to be the person you are. i know you are very much blessed right now to be a blessing to other people. your life is an inspiration. God bless in all your endeavors. take good care, continue working and loving your passion and chosen craft and above all else, grow more for Him.. :)

Anonymous said...

Name: Maria Leonora D. Esteves
Age: 27 yrs old
Occupation: Export Customer Service
City: Caloocan City
Twitter ID: sakuraleighisme
E-Add: leigh_domdom@yahoo.com
fave blog post:April 16, 2011 - Take me far, far away

**Like you I also dreamt of travelling to those places, i love to know other countries culture and to see other beautiful places aside from our own country, but (of course)one of the major factor is mahal ang pamasahe abroad and cant afford to travel outside the country like "riches" usually did... (really)but same to you, i also believe that some day makakapunta rin ako dyan kasama ng baby ko at ng husband ko :)need lang talagang pag ipunan at paghandaan, everybody deserves a one good and memorable travel. :)kelan kaya yon ms.bianca? haaay

which items:

1. Meg - for my sister, she is a single mom kasi and so stress to her work para may maipang tustos sa pinakamamahal nyang daughter :) at nakalimutan na nyang bumili ng gamit para sa sarili nya, kaya i prefer MEG for her.:)

2. Nike - for my husband and Me (sana), me and my husband is a huge fan of Nike esp. my hubby, in fact ms. bianca our first baby was named after NIKE. :) I love the Nike apparel like your black shirt with big Nike in front:)


Happy 8th anniv. to your blog site! God bless always. :)


Happy

Tatin said...

name: Christeen Lauron
age: 31
occupation: assistant at world scout bureau
city i live in: pasay
twitter id/ email: @tatinortinta / christeen.20280@gmail.com
which blog post is my favorite:
this is hard, i love all your travel blog posts because of the details and information you share but my favorite of all is the People of my year 2010 posted on 4 January 2011. I love this because it really inspired me to look back and also think of the people who inspired me and helped through the years. the best thing about this post are the small and big things they have instilled with you, such an inspiration to everyone.

which items would i like to win and why?

1. A salon day with alex carbonell: for me! im not a salon person, i only go to small parlors around our house to have haircut. A salon day with THE alex carbonell after I give birth would be nice!

2. A major beauty package from loreal phils: I want to give/ share this package with my friend, Sheila who is getting married next month. I want her to have all the beauty pampering before and after her wedding.

3. Last is a party at mcdonalds for my coming baby girl! I am pregnant and due this month (3rd week) its my 3rd child and first baby girl. Why not have her baptismal at mcdonalds! Her kuya's will also be happy to have the party.

Thank you Bianca, I may not win any but I am happy to share my thoughts to a person who's been an inspiration. =)

Anonymous said...

Name: Ralona Jane I. Aplicador
Age: 19
City: Cagayan de oro city
UNEMPLOYED
twitter: https://twitter.com/iamjane19


favorite blog:
The day i met kobe
..i really love this blog because it inspire me that one day i will be given a chance "a single chance" to met you someday or just to see you in person kahit "sulyap" lng ok nah ako dun as you said to this blogs "DREAMS DO COME TRUE" and i really believe it..i know how good u are as a person even if i did'nt know you that much.. i really like you since "PBB" time pah..


i'd like to win the two pairs of chuck taylor i really want it for myself because i don't have one.. huhuuh!! but since i'd like to win this item for my Kuya and his girlfriend because they really love chuck taylor.. and sayo pa galing.. !!im very sure nah if mananalo ako at maibigay ko sa kanila sobrang tuwa nila.. sila ang napili ko kasi sobrang bait nila sa akin, lahat nang kailangan ko binibigay nila,, lalo nah financially., kaya gusto ko makabawi sa kanila..!


gusto ko din mapanalonan yung myfi kit para sa tatay ko kasi ang hilig niyang mag.download nang mga bagong kanta at mga movie., at magagamit niya talaga 2 para makontact yung kapatid niya na nasa singapore..
at advance regal nah din para sa pasko.. if ever manalo ito first time kong may ibigay sa kanya!


Thank you!
keep on blogging ate bianca.,
have a good health,.
more blessing's.,
ingat ka lagi ha.,
"In everything you do ate bianca put God first,and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success." - Proverbs 3:6

GODBLESS :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Bianca,

My name is Ira, unfortunately i have just discovered your blog a few months ago but glad
i could still read your old posts through your archives. And i have a lot of favorites here but
what always gets me are those that has something to do with Moms, hence your May 8th 2011,
Meet My Mom post got me. Just like you, i am one proud daughter, blessed to have been brought
up by a wonderful person. My mom would always make kwento of this story when my sister and I were just
little kids, we were in the market and my sister pointed something and said "Mommy pag may pera na tayo
bili mo kami ni Ira non ha?" and mom said "Oo anak, hayaan mo", and then since it was a palengke
one tsimosang tindera said "ay ang bait naman ng batang yan". It never fails to touch my heart
everytime mom would go back to memory lane and tell this story again to us, she'd say i dont know
how your dad and i was able to bring you guys up and how at such young age you knew our situation and wont
cry at public places if your whims were not satisfied. My mom was also a teacher and everytime
there were "pakain" in school she wont eat her share instead she would bring it home so my sister
and i had something to share, perfect example of the tagalong saying "isusubo na lng, ibibigay pa sa iba"
Mom is very selfless and sacrificed a lot for the whole family.

And now that my sister and i are all grown up, mom is now starting to spread her wings. she now
doesnt have to be so kuripot, she now buys things she couldnt afford when we were growing up. She
even had her eyebrows tattooed and her hair straigtened, how's that? :) nalurkey kaming magkapatid...

So needless to say, if will be chosen, i would choose the loreal and khiels package for me and my mom.
She so loves beauty products something she did not enjoy during her younger years.And of course, me din.
Mom would love it. And a NIKE running shoes wont hurt, teehe...


Thank you so much Bianca,

It is so nice that we get to be a part of your life as much as you are a part of ours.




Love,
Ira

28yrs old
twitter:IraLim
email:i_29@yahoo.com
Customer Solutions officer
Citigroup

Anonymous said...

Name: Patrick Louie Dequina
Age: 21
School: Ateneo de Davao University
City: Davao City
Email: plddequina@gmail.com

Which blog post and why?

Blog post - Touched by a stranger (July 22, 2011)

Hi Bianca! Of all the posts, what really touched me the most is this. I know that you have been very busy with your work and may be obscured with what's happening in your life. It is but also good to recognize some small parts of your life that contributes to what you are today. I feel inspired by those people whom you met that contributes to your currently positive outlook in life. Especially in the concept of paying it forward wherein only a few people uphold and do it. I admire your efforts in actualizing this concept to make others feel also that they are loved and are important. It is inspiring that a person who are as busy like you still gives attention to simple people who don't only inspire you but inspired other people as well. As a celebrity it has been normal for you to be obscured by your business, but what I really admire about you is your simplicity and your capacity to look beyond the fame to acknowledge people that are also serves as an inspiration to others.

Chucks or Nike:

I would like to give this to my beloved friend who despite my flaws, accepted and stayed with me all this time. There has been a point in my life wherein I felt that it was my downfall and she was the one who encouraged and strengthened me to trust in myself again amidst other people who are destroying me. I am indeed thankful for this person because she sees me objectively and contributes to my overall betterment. Since my favorite post is about paying it forward, I offer this to my friend who is currently struggling in her workplace because she is adjusting to her workplace culture. I hope my simple gift(because of you Bianca =))would make her feel that I am still there and will be her true friend till the end.

Thank you Bianca and continue to inspire people with your words and experiences because you don't know how your blog also relates to your reader. Hoping for more of your blogs =)

annaajman said...

anna
52
housewife
quezon city
annaajman@yahoo.com.ph
august 25,2011 blog-inspiration
i like your latest blog since like you i have been in a confusion as to which way i should go with all the problem my family is experiencing right now, i have to find a job at my age to help in the financing of my family. with your blog inspiration it has helped me to collect myself and think of my kids who greatly depend on me.truly a cross road of what way to take this way or that way. just to have read it made stronger to fight this state we are in head on for it will soon be over and everything will turn out well.thank you for the inspiration.
alex carbonell prize i want that for my son carlo, he saves so much just to have a hair cut in a salon in trinoma because he said they cut style superb and who could be better than alex carbonell so this one is for him to help him in saving for good haircut.
globe tatoo will go to my eldest daughter taking her master's but since she has to queue for a long time to wait for her siblings to finish their school works,time has run out so i want her to enjoy being online anytime anywhere.
chuck taylor like you which i saw your collection at the rated k show my favorite but not for me nga huhuh. this one is for my husband who works so hard for this family that buying a pair of shoes is not the priority,so with this motto he almost missed his flight in one of his assignments outside the country when the sole of his shoe would not like to join the top part of the shoe and if he lifts his foot you can imagine it now...so he went on board in a pair of slippers because he does not have enough money to shoes at the airport. and he will surely love this:)
nike gear will be for my son antonio who is an avid fan of kobe so having a shoe like kobe will just drop him off. wishing he'd be like kobe as well in his 3 point shots.
1year subscription of meg magazine.WOW!!! this will be for my co-stay at home moms teri, darms, michelle, rose and cora.these guys will have a feast.since we are all mommys and our likes are the last in the list of budget indeed something like this is heaven.
L'oreal products for my bff guing-guing who does make up for brides and debutants but because she does not use the famous expensive brands she can not demand higher pay so with this gift it will surly make her competitive to the other make up artists.
party at mcdonads,this i like very much.like you i am a great fan of mcdo,check out mcdo at philcoa during exam week its like a huge library with a kitchen swarm with students from ateneo,UP and miriam.
but i like this for my bunso who will be turning 18 in may. with the situation we are in i don't think i can give her a debut party so this one would indeed be great.
or to my eldest which i was not able to give her a debut when she turned 18 or they could do it together its a special occasion and i like to have it in mcdonalds for mcdo has a special part in my heart.
nice thought noh an idea for mcdo's commercial and you be endorsing it.
so that's my wish list for your fabulous prizes.
this is my second tying of this entire entry since i am not a techy person i thought when i click preview it show me what i have typed but no! so hoping against hope i will make it to the dead line.
my prayers are with you always,wish you more editorial works and good health,more wealth and happiness.
have been your fan since your stint at the morning show with tin tin babao, which was followed when you joined pbb.
you are my example to my kids as a role model that is very successful in their career yet humble by her experiences.
good luck and take care.

Alvin said...

Nice blog bianca! I just found your website from one of your friends. Visit my blog http://www.alvincortez.com
Thanks in advance!