Understanding AZKALS

The AZKALS in Kathmandu, Nepal
(Photo by Neil Etheridge as posted on Twitter @Neil38Etheridge "Nice little trip")

Despite their loss to Turkmenistan Friday night, March 16 2012, the AZKALS continue to prove that they have indeed gone a long way. In the AFC Challenge Cup, we defeated two (2) former champions and we are gunning for a 3rd place, likely competing with Pakistan on March 19, Monday.

Following the AFCCC, the AZKALS will definitely be on the lookout of our Asian Comrades. And we are in for a stronger AZKALS this summer at the Long Teng Cup and 2012 Suzuki Cup.

The growing number of AZKALS fans are definitely happy, satisfied and just as excited for this team to reach that pinnacle of success in the coming years. Come to think of it, it was only 2 years back since this country has understood what Football is all about. Or have we?

Marred by multitudes of accusations and stones hurdled at them, the AZKALS are still in pretty good shape. Sexual harassment is very serious and a very strong form of accusation. This needs to be resolved and penalize those that are proven guilty. Until such time, let us leave that to the authorities. But notwithstanding the comments of Arnold Clavio and Rhea Santos, the insensitive, insecure and obsolete newscasters from GMA 7, the AZKALS continue to make waves in last friday's game with Phil Younghusband goal at 25 minutes.

What most people do not understand, including the critics and cynics, the Philippine AZKALS has given so much pride for us Filipinos and for our flag, both here in the Philippines and abroad. I speak for a number of fans who are intelligent enough to know that they may not look like your typical brown skinned Juan dela Cruz but are Filipinos by blood one way or the other. I am fair skinned with chinito eyes having come from a Fil-Chi forefathers. But that does not make me less of a Filipino. I travel to the US and I embrace the American culture to be part of our heritage. I have family and friends in North America. That does not make them less Filipino.

Apart from pride, the awareness on Football has grown tremendously. Go to ULTRA and you'll see football practice almost everyday. Filipinos now talk Football. Isn't this something. Yes, the AZKALS may look like foreigners now, but do we not also foresee our "brown-skinned" boys playing for the Philippine National Team 10 years from now? Because of this strong awareness, do we not also realize that the Tondo Football could be a breeding ground for the next Phil Younghusband?

Arnold Clavio and Rhea Santos uttered the word "MA-SAMPOLAN". What does that mean? Their arrogance was downright demeaning. It doesn't matter now if they seek understanding or if their network thinks it's not offensive. They have made an awful call of judgement and it will forever stain their credibility and integrity. Tough reality.  

GMA7 should know better. Their stand on the issue speaks a lot of who they are and what they believe in. Nothing close to "WALANG KINIKILINGAN, SERBISYONG TOTOO". Whatever their anchors or commentators say, it is reflective of their principles and ethics. I can't help but compare them to ABS-CBN. In the recent past, a few reporters or anchors were handed that "disciplinary action" memo because of ethics, or a violation of their core principles. I do not see that in the other network. I pity GMA7. And I pity their News and Public Affairs team who have worked doubly hard to bring this station close to what ABS-CBN has achieved. I wouldn't be surprised if one day TV5 will surpass GMA7, especially now of this one-sided stand.

Arnold Clavio along with Rhea Santos, Lyn Ching-Pascual and Connie Sison are epitome of the Pinoy Crab Mentality. So sad to hear those opinions from them, the supposed experienced journalists, err, host. Apparently Arnold Clavio has only spoken to Cristy Ramos but I doubt if he has sought the side of the AZKALS? Obviously one-sided opinion. Now tell me, Walang Kinikilingan?

Bottomline is, there are still a lot of us who support Philippine Football. We condemn sexual harassment and violation against women. But we also believe in Azkals and their will power to carry the Philippine Flag in the global Football map.