Wonder why everytime these men flock together, fans flock together as well? Blame social media. (credits to jonny)

On that night on December 5, 2010, when the few Filipino football fans who have watched the Philippine national football team win against the national team of Vietnam, the then-defending Suzuki Cup champions, they logged-in to Facebook and Twitter and passed the good news of victory around the Internet. Minutes later, the national team’s well-known and well-loved monicker, the “Azkals,” became a trending topic on social media, and Google searches of almost every player of the national team surged. People started to get interested with the men who became a new source of Pinoy pride. A year on, the Azkals and the sport of football became one of the most talked-about topics in the Philippines today.

It’s all because of the Internet.

Since the 2010 Suzuki Cup, anything related to the Azkals and Philippine football trends in social media regularly.

Why do I credit the Internet? As I am an enthusiast of Information Technology, I believe technologies like this played a major role in inciting interest among Filipinos with the sport of football. With the Internet, the things that we have interest with are able to be shared across the world as long as you have access. With websites such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and online forums, we are able to share what we think, what we appreciate, what we criticize about things like Philippine football. This I never expected a few years ago.

The UFL, empowered by social media.

You may ask, “What’s the point here?” The point I want to emphasize with is that the social media scene is now a large part of the machine that pumps up the popularity of football in the country. Social networking sites help friends, relatives and colleagues connect in supporting football. Through a simple wall post, tweet, comment or blog post, these can impact the popularity of the sport, whether it could be about the national teams, the youth teams, the United Football League, or even the grassroots programs. Fans are being made through social media as they come together online to support their favorite team. Social media also created a system of discussion among people who wanted to share their thoughts about the beautiful game.

But there is something missing.

Message boards are everywhere.

Being a budding software developer, we should not just limit ourselves with social media this year 2012. There are numerous applications online that we must utilize and take focus in order to promote football in the country. With online forums and message boards about Philippine football springing up, we should participate with the discussions and commentary about the sport. Also, we can use them to be able to scout and recruit potential national team players; we may never know a skilled Filipino player from here or abroad becomes interested to join the Azkals or the Malditas, or even join the UFL.

Wikipedia: the go-to source.

Not only that, online reference tools such as Wikipedia can also be utilized to promote the national teams, the UFL, the clubs and its players. There is a serious need to promote them by making or improving their Wikipedia entries; all the users need is a thorough research, a little skill, and following the guidelines. No wonder we would see detailed, extensive entries sooner than we think.

Podcasting works!

As podcasting and video blogging continue to be a useful communication tool worldwide, there is an opportunity for us to share our thoughts through online multimedia. Fans can make their own audio podcast on anything football. Football leagues such as the UFL and its clubs can utilize these platforms to share match highlights, opinions, and fan support. Mainstream media can use podcasting as an alternative to what they broadcast on TV and radio. In due time, our football clubs will have their own show even over the Internet.

Why not develop you own football-related software?

To the geeks out there, ever wonder if football can help satisfy your passions? Why not help out the community by making your own information system, maybe something that dynamically records match statistics, analyzes player abilities, or organizes the league system? Why not build your own localized version of FIFA Soccer and Football Manager video games? Why not research on studies related to football in many areas such as in management, economics, statistics, mathematics, physics, computing and other forms of sciences? Why not help our local football associations and clubs build their websites to promote local development? The possibilities are endless, and it would definitely help not just our local football community but the whole world as well.

All it takes is your urge to help.

The Azkals wouldn’t have made this far if not for your continuous support through your use of technology. As they venture to more games this 2012, I expect that they need your utmost support – the support that they need for them to play better and bring pride to our nation. I expect that every wall post, every tweet, every comment, and every blog post you make, will leave a significant mark in this blooming community. I expect that in this digital age, Philippine football will be strengthened through our innovativeness and creativity.

Expect more trends this 2012. Never miss the chance.


KENNETH

Many Filipinos wondered why the Philippine national football team, fondly called the Azkals, had to have these good-looking, highly skillful men. Many question why these mixed-breed players should be there. Why the need? Improve the style of play? Definitely. Make the Philippine team win games? Surely. Raise consciousness of football in the country? Yes! But... make shrieking, swooning female fans? I'm not sure of that one, but it's strange but true.

In this world called football (soccer to some), there are the poster boys that would grace the conscious and the unconscious minds of football fans, whether they play the sport or not, support the national team or not or root for one club or not at all. These men have all the skills plus the looks that attract them. And the Filipino diaspora is lucky enough to produce offspring with traits that only heaven could buy to get it off. Traits that are inherent of the mixture of different genetic makeups of different races. Traits that culture, arts and science can only reminisce and reflect with.

Forget the Younghusbands for now. The Philippines is lucky to have Robert James Dazo Gier, nicknamed Rob.


Rob was born with an English father and a Filipina mother in the 6th of January, 1981, in Ascot, a town in the county of Berkshire in southern England. For those unfamiliar, Ascot is a town more famous for horse-racing. The Ascot Racecourse is home of the world's famous horse racing meets, dating back in the 1700s.

Ascot Racecourse

Not only that, consequently, the races attract famous people including the British Royal Family, and people in the higher social classes dress up in fancy hats made in Ascot. A number of fancy hats worn during the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton were made in this small town.

Fancy hats are a staple in Ascot during race days.

Shortly after, though, Rob was based in the famous city of Oxford, the city famous for its prestigious University of Oxford, the oldest in the English-speaking world.

The University of Oxford

Rob's senior football debut for Wimbledon (1999/2000)

 Rob plays a defender, usually as a center-back or a right-back. In his younger years, he played for numerous football teams across the South East and the East of England, including Wimbledon (now Milton Keynes Dons), Rushden and Diamonds, Cambridge United, Woking, Aldershot Town, Grays Athletic and his hometown team Ascot United.

Rob celebrating his first ever goal as a pro footballer.

  His most successful stints happened during his involvement with Aldershot Town and Grays Athletic, that won numerous awards during those seasons he played in, including a Conference Cup in the 2007/08 season for Aldershot Town. Because of his performance, he is well-revered by English media, including the BBC.

Aldershot Town FC as champions in the 2007/08 Football Conference South season

Rob in Grays Athletic kit. (2008/09)

  Now then, with all these credentials, why he came up with the Azkals so lately?

Rob was a Johnny-come-lately in the Philippine national team, having come only in mid-2009. He has an adequate experience with English football that has well impressed the Azkals' coaching staff. So why the buzz?

Rob Gier (center) on his debut for the Philippines during the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers (2009).

In his words, he told DZMM that back in his days as a young player, he always wanted to play for his mother's national team. He has long searched for ways to look for the people to connect so he could get in and try out for them. Finally it came to him in 2009 when he got the contact for the Philippine Football Federation (PFF). He submitted his credentials without a little intervention from a fellow. The PFF did not search for him; it was Rob who came to the PFF. A volunteer of sorts was him for the flag.

“When I found out about the Philippine national team, I sent them an e-mail, with my resume, if you will,” says 30-year old fullback Rob Gier, who was already an experienced pro in his early 20s. “Not to brag or anything, but I was playing at a good level in England, and would they be interested in having me? I actually wish I had found out when I was a spring chicken.” (link)

 
Rob did not expect his first experiences with the team to be bread-and-butter. Because of its reputation to be underdogs in the Asian football scene, and being a basketball-crazed nation, he realised a painful truth. There was no support; there were no fans cheering, no interest. They pay their fares all by themselves, spend all they have for food, and sleep in the unworthiest of places. More so, they were battered heavily by their opponents in high margins.

However, those experiences would soon pay off, with the men who started it all.

Rob (#2) during the 2010 Suzuki Cup against Vietnam.

 Rob was one of the starting XI during that match against Vietnam in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup. There was no Pinoy fanfare, only screaming Vietnamese fans. And there, all he did was to stop any vicious attack from the men with red kits. And he did his all and won that game.

That started his new journey.

From being one of the nobodies of Philippine sport, Rob, along with his teammates, became hot property. Along with the handful of English-bred fellows in the team, he became more noticeable to Filipina fans, not only because of his almost Oxford-standard accent, but also for his peculiar facial structure that's a mix of a typical southern English lad and the Manileño maginoo of the 1950s Filipino cinema. It can be also attributed to his well-built body that has luckily graced the walls of a health store chain in Metro Manila.

Rob in his full shirtless glory for Health and Beyond.

Well, if the handful of Pinay fans only knew he is already married.

Rob on BC Mag Philippines featuring his wife Emma and baby Lily Grace

Rob married Emma, an English lady whom he met since their childhood days. After four years of marraige, Emma was soon found to be pregnant. At that moment, Rob had to call off his national team duty during the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers in Myanmar to attend to his wife back in England as she was found to have a delicate pregnancy. As days went by, and as Rob had to constantly fly in and fly out, he had to keep in touch with his wife through Skype, checking if she is alright. And before the 2011 Long Teng Cup came along, Rob had to call of once more, as his wife was about to give birth that month. He stayed so he could fully attend to her as she labours.

Rob with baby Lily Grace. (18 Sep 2011)

 And that day came. Emma gave birth to a baby girl, whom they named Lily Grace. Such a happy father is he when she came into their lives. As of this day, he attends to his little girl whenever he is around in Oxford, learning the joys of fatherhood every step of the way.

As you can see, Rob is a family man. But maybe what can be more attributed to Rob's attractiveness is his seemingly well-mannered demeanour that is characteristic of both well-bred Englishmen and the typical Filipino maginoo. He seems very open to his fans and is friendly among his peers. He has also that seemingly apparent "gift of gab" that has made him the figure you see making the team speech before every game he's in. He also has the wits in helping out his fellow players and finding new ones. No wonder he was made one of the Azkals' scouts and the coordinator for European-based players.


And with that, in recent days, a fan club was formed. Aptly called the GIERfriends, they cheer for Rob and is solid for Rob. They come to Azkals games whenever Rob plays, and are there cheering for him with all the placards and whatnots. Now that Rob has signed with Filipino side Global F.C. in the United Football League, these fans will also cheer for him when he shall play for the club sometime.

Rob with the GIERfriends.

Why the charm, you ask? Rob, although reaching his prime age, is a true example for those who desire to help the country improve the level of play and promote the sport to every Filipino. And he's proud that he is attached to our country and wants to learn a lot from us. With his good experience with English football, an attractive appearance, and a Pinoy heart, no wonder our team's got the charm. The good ol' English charm, with a Pinoy flavour.

KENNETH

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