Twenty eleven.

What a very significant year for me.

Here were the most significant points in my life this year, in simple words, in photographs:


January: I had my "new" laptop, a used Dell Latitude D420.



February: A black-and-white moment for UPMin seniors. My review with PhilNITS. Discussions with Mindanao issues.


March: Some fun & nostalgic moments with BACA 2010. My first PhilNITS attempt.


April: Practicum part 1. Abreeza just opened.

May: Practicum part 2. Some doughnut moments.


June: I turned twenty. My first sem as a "Super Senior."

July: I mesmerised with a new bus ride. Azkals became a pastime.

August: Kitties in the house. Backup trouble.


September: Proposal woes. DevCon.



October: I turned down my next attempt at PhilNITS. I heart Azkals. Seeing kitties in UPMin doing seductive poses.


November: Second semester. Proposal at the table.



December: Looking forward. New doggie in the house.

This is 2011. Looking forward for the coming year.
KENNETH

This is Part 4 of a series of posts about the men behind the rise of the Azkals. You are encouraged to read Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of this series.

 Next on Hans Michael Weiss’s assignments was the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers. The qualifiers were done for the first time since 2002, wherein the nation was one of a very few that did not enter to qualify for the 2006 and 2010 editions. And during those attempts to qualify for the event in the past, the national team only got stuck in the first round, losing with big margins to Asian neighbours.

But with an even deeper lineup made by the man, Dan Palami, the coach was sure for his team to, at least, break the record to get to the second round.

Many of the Filipinos have wanted to see their team making it to the main 2014 World Cup tournament in Brazil. But he was pragmatic to say that it’s too early to say the Azkals would be there. He knows the team has potential, but it would take a very long time to see the results.


In the away leg in Sri Lanka, where the boys played at a very rocky pitch, they played for their lives surviving a dry, unwelcoming climate – both with the weather and of its citizens who support their national team. The Ceylon team scored against them, until new recruit Nate Burkey scored the equalizer.

That goal became a glimmer of hope when they went back to Manila.


The home leg was held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium for the first time since it was last used in the early 1990’s. The miracle in Hanoi gave Rizal a decent makeover, with a refurbished pitch that was good enough for a Premiership match. With a sold-out crowd, it was the Panaad experience all over again for the German.



It rained during that afternoon, which came out as a lucky charm for the Azkals. At those few minutes into the match, Chieffy Caligdong scored the first goal. Phil Younghusband gave the second. Ángel Guirado scored the third and Phil made the final goal through a penalty kick. With five goals to one on aggregate against the Sri Lanka team, it led the Philippine team to the second round for the first time.


It was indeed a victory for the team and the nation. But Weiss remained pragmatic, as he knew they will face a very tough team, the Kuwait national team, the Al-azraq (the “Blues”).

He knew he would face a team that has qualified for the World Cup main draw in the 1980s, a team that is a two-time Asian Cup titlist, and a team from a Middle-East football powerhouse with a football system way better than its neighbours in South East Asia.


Again, at the away leg in Hawaili, Kuwait, in a drier, more unwelcoming climate, with a forty-degree centrigrade temperature and a band of hostile fans, it became a tougher game for the boys, with skipper Aly Borromeo and midfielder Stephan Schröck suspended for defensive over-enthusiasm and ill-tempered behavior, respectively. The cauldron-like weather was unlikely for many of the boys who mostly are accustomed to temperate climates in Europe and America. Hooligans dared to pass through security to bring laser pointers to distract players, specifically goalkeeper Neil Etheridge. The complexion was not very calm and exciting without Aly and Schröcki; it was turbulent and chaotic.

But Weiss was calm and confident his team will not be massacred with a massive scoreline. The score: three goals to nil in favor of the Al-azraq. Blue Haired Fan and company did not walk out in frustration.



Then came that home leg back in Rizal Memorial. Aly and Stephan were back, but it was too late. They had to make crucial measures.

Things were still chaotic as the team could took their every ounce of energy to battle out the very strong Kuwaiti defense. At that dying minutes of the first half, all hope was lost until Schröcki gave it a shot from Chieffy's assist.

That goal sparked the hopes of a win, a win that would sure rise up the Azkals to its ranks. However, the Kuwaitis took its revenge and took the last laugh at a 1-5 aggregate loss.
The Azkals bade goodbye to their hopes of a World Cup, but never baded goodbye to a bright future ahead. And Coach Weiss entrusted it to his young wards.

Now, why have I brought up these men? Their money? Their effort? Their dedication? One thing. A faith. A faith that someday the Filipinos can be proud of how they look at their fellow countrymen. In this very competitive world, national pride comes with a price, a very hefty price. But these men gave everything for this. No way it shall hold them back. They are the main men behind these achievements, and everyone should be happy and proud of it.



















Dan Palami. Simon McMenemy. Hans Michael Weiss. The men who gave what they had to bring up an awareness to the Filipino people that its fellow countrymen can do it. They gave their knowledge to these men so that unity, pride and honour will prevail. Until then, they will forever be remembered as the men who started it all for Philippine football.


KENNETH

KENNETH

This is Part 2 of a series of posts about the men behind the rise of the Azkals. Click here to go to Part 1.

At that very moment, Simon McMenemy, the coach of that team which would soon leave the dark age of Philippine football, stood on that ground that was a potential haven for emerging talent. Together with team manager Dan Palami, he wanted his team to be the best they are with.


Palami, that Waray manager who came to action for a struggling team, made huge sacrifices for his wards. He spent his own money to subsidize the air fares of  majority of the players. He sponsored the meals of the players before and after every training session and every game. He sits down with the team at the sidelines during every game. He sometimes provides emotional support for those who miss their loved ones overseas. As I said previously, he takes care of these men like they were his children. With him on their sides, their morale just accelerated like an F1 racing car.


McMenemy, on the other hand, took the first step to improve that team. He took notes on his observations on the Azkals' previous fixtures - what worked, what didn't seem to work and what can be improved. What made him comfortable being with the team was the attribute of Filipinos being able to converse in English well. Language barriers didn't seem to bother Macca as he is able to talk to everyone without bothering delays.

And looking into the lineup that Palami conceived, he soon found out that their wards are more promising than before. Being with the English style of football for almost two decades of his life, Macca discovered a backbone that is surprisingly an infusion of both English and Filipino heritage and experience: a goalkeeper who plays for Fulham in the Premiership (Neil Etheridge), a centre-back who played for Wimbledon, a former Football League team (Rob Gier), a centre-midfielder who played for various mid-tiered English teams (Chris Greatwich) and a striker who is a former reserve player for Chelsea in the Premiership (Phil Younghusband).

With that lineup that was considered a rare find in the British isles and the Philippine archipelago, Macca was sure that his team had a serious potential many of the average Filipinos had not dared to know.


And that was not all. He made sure that the leadership was at its top shape. Co-skippers Chieffy Caligdong and Aly Borromeo were Macca's source of his hopes to make everyone in his team steady and aim for goals. His desire for Chieffy was to make him known as a man who could break in the defense and aim a shot. His desire for Aly was to keep a clean sheet for the team, having a defense line that's steady along with that British-laced backbone.

And everything was set. No-one from that team, even for Palami and McMenemy, would expect that their victories will soon wake up a deeply slumbering footballing nation that was the Philippines.


At that unchartered territory that was the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup main tournament, at the time Palami and his wards sang Lupang Hinirang amidst a rampaging, hostile crowd, everyone was set on a calm, aiming for a good run. While their opponents' fans continuously scream, make faces and put their thumbs down to the Filipino booters, the manager and the coach was confident as they ever was, knowing it will never be an ordinary battle for the Azkals.

And that miracle happened in Hanoi.


The Vietnam team was slaugthered right at home, and those shots from Greatwich and Younghusband silenced its hostile fans. As the Pinoy booters hug, kiss and wave at each other in victory, all they knew was they have just beated a more favoured team, a team that fans from every part of South East Asia (including skeptical Filipinos) expected to win. But little that they know that they just awakened a nation long deprived of football (soccer to most of us then).


Dan and Simon could not believe their eyes that their team just beat the defending champions. As they hugged each other in happiness and pride, they knew everything they sacrificed paid off. Simon moved on to greet Vietnam's team coach for the spirit of fair play, but he was soon given an unwelcoming gesture.

It was epic to see the begging-off of the coach who was just humiliated by "weaklings" led by a young, energetic coach and managed by a visionary manager. Everyone at My Ðính was silenced, except the Philippine team, who cheered in high heavens for that miracle.

All thanks to the man.


When the year ended, people had found out Macca's coaching license expired a long time ago, forcing him to leave the team. But while Macca may have moved on to other places, he just left a legacy, a legacy that the world will forever remember. His hyper-defensive strategy just worked well in style. A stylish start of football renaissance in the Philippines would have not been possible without the young man who was just there to guide a very promising team. He now passed on that experience with the Filipino booters to the teams he is currently holding. It was indeed a great boost to his career.

While away in Philippine soil, Macca still communicates with his former wards, especially through social media. Looking at his Twitter page, he still mentions many of the Azkals and its managing staff to know what they are doing and how they are improving football in the nation. Seems he couldn't let go of the Pinoy that has also ingrained in him.

Now he is forever in their hearts and our hearts as well.


He was then replaced by a German, a towering prowess of Teutonic efficiency and discipline. Little by little this man would lead the team to even greater heights.


More on Part 3.
KENNETH

All it took was a shocking, stunning, gut-wrenching, heart-stopping upset. Tens of thousands of Vietnamese at the My Ðính stadium in Hanoi, with millions who were watching on TV screens across South East Asia, could not believe their eyes as their team lost to whom they've called whipping boys, minnows, and weaklings. And those brave men whom they've labeled with came out in high spirits that they have finally overcome the odds. With that victory, the world had their utmost respect and appreciation. Who to thank for? The man who started it all, Dan Stephen Palami.

For many years the men we fondly call the Azkals had hoped for someone who would nurture them, support them and care for them, even if their fellow countrymen never dared to know them all. Someone who would be there all the way, through their ups and downs, through their joys and sorrows. Someone who will not be moved by the cruelties of the corrupt place that was Philippine sports. Someone who would sacrifice everything, even his own life, to lift up a team and a sport that has been in the dark for decades in the country. And finally, he came.



It was December of 2009. The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) was looking for that man who would take up the challenge to manage the national football team. That man must have a vision for football, and would be willing to help them against all odds. And they finally found Dan Palami, a Waray born and raised in Tacloban City. He is a businessman who was (then) the Chief Executive Officer of APT Global, a railways company that is involved with Manila's Light Rail Transit (LRT), and is the president of the Leyte Football Association (FA). He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who graduated with a degree in Accountancy at the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas - Tacloban College, and a former law student of UP Diliman College of Law. A football player in his youthful days, he is in active involvement with football in the Eastern Visayas through his leadership in the Leyte FA.

The PFF approached Palami to offer the job to manage the nationals, as he was fresh from managing the Under-19 national team then (which was also humiliated by that time during a certain regional tournament months before). However, it came with a very crucial condition - he must manage everything by himself and he must isolate from the intrigues the PFF was dealing with, including the alleged corruption of then-president Jose Mari Martinez. Palami was left with a critical task to do, that is to manage the Azkals like his multi-million peso company. With all his options on the table, he was ready to take up the challenge.



Way back then, the Azkals were a team that never seem to win, and were a team that was constantly humiliated even by its regional neighbours. With that in mind, Palami thought of strengthening the national team lineup. The national team already had skipper Aly Borromeo, who was already a skillful and influential leader. It also had defender Anton del Rosario who keeps the defense handy, and winger Chieffy Caligdong and striker Ian Araneta who were consistent goalscorers. In addition, they also just had Fulham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, (then-) Grays Athletic defender Robert Gier, (then-) FC Veendam midfielder Jason de Jong, and brothers Chris and Simon Greatwich, who are playing in college soccer teams in America. The team's player pool was deep in itself but Palami thought it wasn't enough.



British-born former Chelsea reserves Phil and James Younghusband took a hiatus in international football in 2007 due to a row with the PFF, allegedly for corrupt practices and lack of support, and went on to take careers as commercial models. Fortunately, Palami approach them and encouraged them to return to the national team, and since then, their hopes in making football known in the country were rekindled. Palami is also credited to recruiting other foreign-based Filipino footballers, such as Manny Ott and Mark Drinkuth of Germany, Gino Pavone of America, and Ray Jonsson of Iceland. He is also a key influence of recruiting and re-recruiting local players such as 16-year-old goalkeeper Christopher Camcam from Southridge School (now at Kaya FC), veteran goalkeeper Eduard Sacapaño of Philippine Army, Jerry Barbaso of Global FC, Roel Gener of the Philippine Army, Mark Ferrer of Philippine Air Force, Nestorio Margarse Jr. of Philippine Army, Peter Jaugan of Philippine Air Force, and striker David Basa of the University of Santo Tomas, among many others.


As the lineup grew, another challenge was brought up. They needed another coach. British Desmond Bulpin had to leave the team, and someone had to fill in his position. With help from Chris Greatwich, he acquired the coach they were looking for, Simon Alexander McMenemy.

Then 33 years of age, he had coached Worthing FC, a non-league football club based in south-east England. Born in Haywards Heath, a small town in the county of Sussex just near London's Gatwick airport, Macca, as fans and team-mates call him such, was deemed as an energetic figure, a man worthy to see greater heights, and someone who can lead his team on top. He begun coaching due to his frustrations with injuries that made him left professional football at an early age. But that frustration never let him down, as he was expected to properly mentor a national team.

Knowing that he faces a team that didn't seem to win and a sport that didn't seem to attract Filipino crowds, he had to do something extraordinary. Together with Dan Palami, he made sure the team was in high spirits, as fit as can be, and has the urge to succeed for the pride of the country.

What Palami did was unbelievable, even for sporting honchos. He is always with the team. He joins the team during their travels. He sits with them on the bench. He made sure there was food after every training and every match they played. He, together with Macca, brought up the team like they were his own employees, or better yet, as if they were his children.


More of this story on our Part 2.

KENNETH