by the Philippine Azkals football team captain Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong. Current and former Azkals players Ian Araneta, Yanti Barsales, Ricardo Becite III, Joebel Bermejo, Ruben Doctora Jr., Mark Ferrer, Roel Gener, and Nestorio Margase Jr. are all natives of Iloilo. Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor aimed to underscore Iloilo title as " Football Capital of the Philippines" by upgrading the allocating 24 Million for football field.Inquire features on June 13 m 2014 , Iloilo as Philippine Football Capital.
According to Ignacio De Ycaza in 1895
" Soccer football was introduced in the Philippines by English sportsmen, members of the Manila Club , two or three years before Dewey fought the battle of Manila Bay "
By 1900 , 3 footbal club were formed , Manila Sporting Club, the Paris Club, and the Manila Jockey Club. The forth was Sandow football team established in 1906. The First official football match in the Philippines was held in Manila on the 15th of October, 1907, in celebration of the opening of the Philippine Assembly. beautiful silver cup donated by the Hon.William H. Taft, then Governor-General of these islands . The fift was organized in the Bohemian Sporting Club .
The Timeless Star is born from Iloilo
For almost 100 years, no other place in Philippines could rival Iloilo's invariable dedication and passion to this sport. Ilongo feverish engagement to footbal is noted from its training institution , to its ecclesiastical ground , to its established associations , clubs and active tournaments . Ilongo football enthusiasm passed down from generation after generation . It had produced notable national and international figures which accounts for its title " The footbal capital of Philippines".
1. Paulino Alcántara
- born in Conception , Iloilo in October 7 , 1897. With score 369 goals during his 15-year football career
with FC Barcelona - the most goals scored by any player in the club's
history.
He was the first Filipino and Asian player to play for a European club .he played for the Philippine national football team at the Far Eastern
Championship games in Tokyo. He played a key role in the Philippines' 15-2 win over Japan, the nation's highest win in the history of international football.Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) as “the best Asian player of all time” in 2007. He became Barcelona's legendary football figure , truly a timeless wonder. This gave birth to the greatest Football Club in history - The Football CLub Barcelona ( FCB)
2 . 1920's - Iloilo became " Football Aficionado "
The title of Iloilo is substantiated by " history . Barotac Nuevo has a
landmark in which inscribed " Football Capital of the Philippines". The Monfort brothers have brought Football to Iloilo around 1920's . Jose Monfort and his brother Dr. Roque Monfort are members of National Football Team . Dr Roque a member of the Philippine Olympic
team, was named in the Roll of International Honor for Outstanding Players.
3. 1930's Far Eastern Games and 1950's Asian Games
Jose Monfort and Dr Roque Monfort reaped international honors for the Philippines in the Far Eastern Games in 1930's and Asian Game in 1950's. While everyone was busy of basketball, Iloilo fervently pursued Football .
3. 1960's - Barotac Nuevo Football Field
- an only Spanish Plaza in Philippines having football field and viewing seats constructed before an ancient Church. Barotac Nuevo launched the Football Para sa Bayan and invited various football clubs within Iloilo
Mariano Araneta Jr begun playing in Barotac Nuevo. He became the president of Philippine Football Federation(PFF). Other players are Doctora who are sent by Philippines to Australia and Germany.
By 1980's Elmer Lacknet Bedia is from Barotac Nuevo , Iloilo. He made a successful career on football in Philippines. He moved to Australia as a football member of Brisbane. Later 4 of his sons signed in.
established in Iloilo in 1992 by Congressman Narciso Dolar Monfort M.D. to honor his Father who brough football to Iloilo.
for FootBall
- located in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo
9. Football Clubs and Football Festival is widespread in Iloilo -
Football League is almost an Ilongo tradition participated by different football clubs in many areas in Iloilo , as follows.
Estancia Football Club- established in 2002
Santa Barbara Football Club
Calinog Football Club
San Dionisio Football Club
Iloilo Football Association-
University Of San Agustin High School Football Club
CPU International Football Team
Westbridge High School, Football Club
Angelicum Football Club
St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary Football Club
Lapaz Football Club
Guimbal Footbal Association
San Dionisio Football Club
USA Football Club
Guimbal Football Association
Stallion Football Club
PAG ASA Football Club
10 . Philippine Football Federation (PFF)
- established in 1907 was a governing body of 36 football associations in the the Philippines . Current President is Mariano Araneta is from Iloilo since 2011 . He was installed by the Board of PFF along with 26 Presidents of football assosications in the Philippines with approval of International Football Federation (Fifa) and the Asian Football Confederation ( AFC) . Pablito Araneta is also former vice president of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) . The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo Government had approved the designation of former Provincial Board member Pablito Araneta as consultant for sports development.
11 . Iloilo hosted the 2006 PFF ( Philippine Football Federation ) National Men's Senior Championship
Iloilo is Champion
Members of the Stallion FC, led by team owner Eduardo Paranpan-Robles (6th from left) of Barotac Nuevo, presented their trophies to Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. during their courtesy call on Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Stallion FC is the 1st Division Champion of the United Football League.
is from Iloilo in Philippine Air Force Foot Ball Club, an association football club that plays in the UFL has players coming from Iloilo and play for IFA when called up
13. Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong
one of its Ten Outstanding Young Men awardees for 2012 . He is a member of Philippine National Football Team whose training came from Football Affectionado town of Barotac Nuevo , Iloilo. ( Photo of Azcals below)