By GAY ACE DOMINGO
Without a doubt the biggest sports story to come out recently is the first FIFA World Cup win of the Philippines, courtesy of the Filipinas – the Philippine Women’s National Football Team. On July 25, 2023, the Filipinas defeated the co-host New Zealand, 1-0, in a thrilling match. And in spite of their loss to former World Cup champion Norway on July 30, the Filipinas have established themselves as a formidable team in Southeast Asia.
In the Philippines, football is still a growing sport. Here, it is not as popular as basketball and volleyball. At least not yet. Major victories, like the ones achieved by the Filipinas do draw attention to it. And so do the celebrities who are fans of the sport.
Among the crowd of more than 32,000 who flocked to the Wellington Regional Stadium to watch the game of New Zealand versus the Philippines were Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos and their kids, and the celeb couple’s friend Jane Buencamino.
A post on the Philippine Football Federation’s Instagram account asked, “Nasaan ka nung nasungkit ng Filipinas ang makasaysayang unang panalo sa FIFA Women’s World Cup?…”
More than one hundred commented and one of them was Ryan himself who exclaimed, “Nandoon kami’t nasigaw!”
Actually, Ryan and Juday have been football fans for some time now. The two watch the games of their son Lucho and their “bunso,” Luna. Juday and Ryan have been spotted at football fields and stadiums in Metro Manila. The couple even flew to Malaysia last year to cheer for Lucho when he competed at the LaLiga Youth Tournament with Arayat FC’s Under-12 team. The trip was worth it because Arayat FC won the bronze medal. “Very supportive sina Ryan and Juday sa anak nila at sa buong team, and they are very kind,” said Michael Asong, one of Lucho’s Arayat FC coaches.
This recent vacation to New Zealand – over a year ago – was very “sulit” as well for the Agoncillo family. Ryan told Malaya Business Insight in a chat via Facebook, “Throughout the pandemic lockdowns, the family had been talking about, number 1 watching the World Cup and number 2, visiting New Zealand, although separately.”
When the Filipinas beat Taiwan to qualify for the World Cup, things fell into place. Ryan said, “I remember quite clearly, the moment we found out that the Philippines qualified for the first time ever and the games were gonna hosted by NZ, we all together cheered loudly and right then and there the decision was made (to make the trip)!”
Ryan wasn’t always into football. Although he did spend some time on the soccer field.
“Just got to kick the ball around with friends in my late teens in high school alumni pick-up games, but not enough to be called a footballer I guess,” said Ryan. “My number one sport growing up, like every Pinoy kid, has always been basketball.”
Yet football does have an irresistible appeal. “It was Lucho who got us all hooked on football. He was influenced by his BFF Bordok,” Ryan disclosed. He and Juday have turned into very active football parents and they adjust their schedules so they could be at the games. “Mommy, Daddy and Ate Yohan watch Lucho and Luna’s games on the weekends, even if we have to split up, if their games are scheduled in different venues at the same time,” said Ryan.
Many media outlets picked up on Ryan and Judy Ann’s presence at Wellington. In the process, the star couple attracted more support for the Filipinas, and for Philippine football in general. Days after July 25, Ryan was still raving about the Filipinas’ victory in Wellington. “It was pure magic!”
Football has made a marvelous difference in the Agoncillos’ lives and there’s no stopping them from enjoying the sport and learning more about it. As Ryan said, “Up to now, I still ask Lucho about the finer points of this beautiful game he’s introduced to the family.”
