A bit of football and history
July 05,2011
by JB Casares
Spain’s victory in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup reminded me of one event in the history of the Philippines that is rarely discussed in our classrooms or even written in our history books – the Battle of La Naval.
Much like the Filipinos, the Dutch were once ruled by the Spaniards. This led them to begin a revolt in 1568 that lasted 80 years. In 1646, Spanish and Dutch forces fought in Philippine waters. The Dutch were trying to capture the Philippine Islands from the Spanish. With the help of a large Filipino contingent, two Spanish galleons engaged the Dutch armada consisting of eighteen ships. Though outnumbered, the Filipino-Spanish forces were not outfought. This caused the Dutch to abandon their attempt to invade the Philippines due to the heavy damages they sustained from the battle. It is a popular belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary had a hand in these series of unexpected victories against superior numbers.
Déjà vu
The heavily favoured Dutch National Team (they reached the finals with an unblemished record) might have felt a distinct sense of déjà vu when they lost in the finals of the World Cup against the underdog Spanish National Team. David Villa, who was recently acquired by Barcelona FC from Valencia FC for a fee of €40 million, led the entire team in goal scoring throughout the tournament, but it was Andres Iniesta, another Barcelona FC player, who scored the winning goal on the 116th minute of the 1-0 victory by the Spanish side.
Filipino connection to Barcelona FC
Eight players from the 2010 World Champions came from the Spanish Football Club, Barcelona FC. But did you know that one of Barcelona FC’s early football stars was a Filipino? Yes, you read it right. Born in 1896 to a Spanish military officer and a Filipina mother in Iloilo, Philippines, Paulino Alcantara is widely regarded as the first Filipino and Asian player to play for a European club.
Alcantara moved to Spain at the young age of 14 to play for FC Galeno. He was later discovered and recruited to play for Barcelona FC by the club’s founder Joan Gamper. On February 25, 1912, at the age of 15, he scored the first three goals in his debut for Barcelona in the Catalan Football Championships. His performance in the 9-0 victory against Catala SC, made him the youngest player to play or score for the club. He went on to set an unprecedented record of 357 goals in 357 matches – a feat that remains unparalleled in the club’s history.
When Alcantara returned to the Philippines in 1916, Barcelona failed to win championships in his absence. In the Philippines, Alcantara played for the Bohemian Sporting Club and helped them win two Philippine Championships. He represented the Philippines in the 1917 Far Eastern Championship Games in Tokyo and helped the Philippine national football team defeat the host nation 15 to 2.
During the 1920 Olympics, Alcantara was selected to represent Spain but he remained in the Philippines to finish his studies to become a medical doctor. He made his debut for Spain’s national team the following year, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory against Belgium. He earned the nickname El Rompe Redes (the net breaker) when he ripped the net with a powerful kick 35 yards from the goal in a game against France. Between 1921 and 1923, Alcantara made five appearances and scored six goals for Spain. He hung up his jersey in 1927 at the age of 31.
State of Philippine Football
Considered the oldest in Asia, the Philippines’ national football team was established in 1907. However, despite their long association with the beautiful game, they have not had much success in international play since the 1940’s. During the period of the Commonwealth, basketball gained prominence at the expense of football. By 2006, the team was placed as low as 195th on the FIFA World Rankings. They are currently ranked 167th in the world and did not enter the qualifications for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Today most Filipinos prefer to play and watch basketball, even though it is a game that requires height, which is not a common trait among us. Instead, we should draw our inspiration from Paulino Alcantara and start playing football again. International Football stars like, Pele, Diego Maradona, Carlos Messi and David Villa have shown that you don’t need a lot of height to play good football. Besides, playing football is just like playing sipa.
Source: http://www.pilipino-express.com/history-a-culture/special-features-history-a-culture/925-a-bit-of-football-and-history.html
Philippines Pampanga Best Restaurant opens Wine Bar and Lounge in Clark Philippines, attracting wine lovers and tourist in Angeles City and Subic looking for good nightlife spot near Manila.
Food and wine lovers in Manila laud Yats Restaurant as the best restaurant in Angeles City Pampanga, a special restaurant that offers guests a real treat every time they wine and dine in this top rated restaurant in Clark Philippines which is surprisingly child friendly also. Families frequently bring their children to enjoy a family dinner at the best restaurant in Angeles City Pampanga, a weekly treat for family bonding and some relaxation also. Tourists and business executives visit the best restaurant in Clark Pampanga after a game of golf or a long day at the office to relax and unwind, drink and eat with friends and business associates.
Best Restaurant in Angeles City Pampanga unveils special dinner menus featuring regional cuisines in France, Italy and USA, all designed to pair very well with fine vintage wines, a real treat for food and wine lovers traveling out of town from Manila to the North to visit Subic, Tarlac, Clark Pampanga Philippines
The Magnum Room Wine Lounge and Wine Bar offers business executives as well as tourist and frequent visitors to Clark Pampanga the best place to drink, relax and unwind outside of Manila. Located near Angeles City, Pampanga, Subic and Clark Philippines, this elegant lounge of Yats Restaurant in Mimosa Clark offers all sorts of after dinner drinks such as port wine, Sauternes, Barsac, Ice Wine and other sweet dessert wines, Armagnac, Cognac, Single Malt, Luxury Vodka and other interesting liquor and spirits. Smokers particular enjoy the selection of Cuban cigars available in this top rated wine bar in Clark. The Magnum Room is one the top rated bar and lounge in Manila, Pampanga, Angeles City, Subic and Clark Philippines.
For comments, inquiries and reservations click on Click here for inquiry and reservations
Restaurant@Yats-International.com
(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401
Ask for Pedro and Rechel
Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
For any assistance in planning and organizing a wedding ceremony, indoor or outdoor garden reception or to find other wedding service providers, Click here to contact us click here
For assistance in hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines, log on to
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
To buy wine in Manila, Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark or Subic please log on to http://www. ClarkWineCenter.com
To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com
For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
