When I first met Cedelf Tupas for a football coverage close to two decades ago, the idea of the Philippines being in a World Cup was so laughable that if anyone had mentioned such thought to us, we’d willingly pay for his or her spot at the National Mental Health Institute.
Back in 2004, the women’s team was largely unknown and was barely a threat in the Southeast Asian Games that the thought of being in the World Cup was a crazy idea.
Yet, here we are. In the Fifa World Cup. THE WORLD CUP.
So it’s quite understandable when I saw a photo of Cedelf singing the national anthem in the World Cup and he seemed to be bawling. Getting there was a book-worthy journey, one that Cedelf knows inside out, having been reporting about Philippine football and being an insider in the past few years.
I’ve been playing the clip numerous times too. It’s unbelievable, hearing the national anthem in the World Cup.
Tanya Chica, one of the pioneers in women’s football in Cebu, posted: “Never not gonna get emotional watching this: Philippine anthem in the frickin World Cup. Just. Wow!” And I think that speaks for all followers of Philippine football.
Often times, after games that the Azkals lose or even win, when fans gather, we always agree that we will never see the Philippines in the World Cup.
But then came the women’s team. The Malditas turned Filipinas. They made the Asian Cup first. Then just last year from the jaws of defeat against Chinese Taipei, they went on to win and bag a spot in the World Cup.
There were many people involved in the journey, unsung US-based heroes like Butch Impelido and Mark Mangune who helped scout players.
But none played a bigger role than Jeff Cheng, who opened his wallet and used his connections to turn a promising team into a World Cup-caliber squad.
In the past two years, I think the women’s team played so often that they’ve practically lived in hotels and airports.
We lost the opening game, sure, and that denied goal was such a heartbreak. Perhaps it could have turned the game. Yes, we were clearly outplayed by Switzerland but you cannot deny the girls played their hearts out.
They never gave up.
They represented us well.
I don’t want to look forward to what happens to women’s football post World Cup. I’m sure a lot of fans are excited, a lot of analysts have their thoughts.
For now, let’s just savor this moment.
We are in the World Cup.