The Comfort Rooms

The World Cup And The Philippines

If y'all are keen on details, you would notice that the Philippines is right smack at the center of one of the guys who co-carries the earth. In a game that supposedly unites the earth, according to the cup (which isn't really a cup), the Philippines is supposedly an important part.

But yeah, what has happened for at least 80 years has been quite the opposite. If you're a Filipino who loves football, you're either a.) a Fil-European; b.) is aware that the sport is the world's most popular; c.) you got cable since you were a kid and been glued to ESPN's coverage of the annual UEFA Champion's League; d.) you wanted to be different and realized that football is actually a better sport where Filipinos can potentially excel.

When football was first played in the continental level, the country defeated China for the gold at the Far-Eastern Games. And that was held in the 1910's. If the country sustained that winning start, we could have qualified for the World Cup a zillion times, perhaps even going far in some of the years.

If not for the Fil-Brits and the soccer fields along Katipunan Avenue and even for the poster boys David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, football or soccer to most pinoys (we're ahmerikens remember?) would have been dead. It would have had the popularity of lawn bowls and/or racquet ball here in the Philippines.

As far as the Filipino is concerned, Football doesn't really exist.

Like Milli Vanilli post brouhaha.

Or Britney Spears during her crazy years (2007-2008).

Soccer was dead here.

Until a few individuals showed some interest in the sport. Until bars and restaurants started the initiative to show to the Philippines that we are missing out a lot. Until ABS-CBN made efforts to re-introduce the game of football to the Philippines. Until schools (paging UAAP) will put more premium into the sport.

If efforts will not be consistent, Football will still remain dead.

Go Argentina. I hope you win this year. And yeah, Spain.