|
Post by cjeagle on Dec 7, 2016 8:09:36 GMT 8
First book on Philippine football launched By Rick Olivares, contributor (philstar.com) | Updated December 5, 2016 - 4:02pm Cover of 'Philippine Football: Its Past, Its Future' MANILA, Philippines — After three years, the first ever book on Philippine football entitled “Philippine Football: Its Past, Its Future” was finally released this first week of December, 2017. Published in concert between the Philippine Football Federation and the University of Asia & the Pacific through professor, economist, and author Dr. Bernardo Villegas, Ph.D., the 232-page paperback details the beginnings of the game in the Philippines from its pioneers to mythical players right up to the renaissance following the 2010 Suzuki Cup. “Unknown to many, we have a rich footballing history,” said PFF President Mariano V. Araneta. “While planning for the upcoming national football league, the first under the auspices of FIFA, we were able to sit down with our friends from the UA&P who offered to produce the book.” Aside from Dr. Villegas himself, the book finds many contributions from notable sportswriters, including Ignacio Dee, Bert Ramirez, Bill Velasco, Bong Pedralvez and this writer. “We like to think that this is as comprehensive as it gets,” said Dr. Villegas who fell in love with “the beautiful game” – as the great Brazilian footballer Pele bequeathed on the sport – during a one-year stay in Spain from 2007-08. “It might not be as comprehensive as it should be. But with resources tough to avail but we believe it is still highly detailed and rich in its storytelling for the football fan to enjoy.” The book features among others, the great Paulino Alcantara, the Filipino-Spaniard who played for both the Philippines, Spain, and FC Barcelona, and who held the club’s scoring record of 369 goals in all competitions from 1912-1927 until Argentine Lionel Messi smashed the 87-year old record in 2014. Some of the early clubs such as Nomads, Lions, and the Bohemians to name a few as well as modern national squads, clubs, and leagues are given their due. The tome likewise explores the evolution of the game from the collegiate leagues to semi-pro tournaments and the inclusion of Filipinos born overseas. “The sport has come a long way and if you’re a football fan, or even a fan of sports and Philippine sports, you will enjoy this book.” “Philippine Football: Its Past, Its Future” will be available at National Bookstore and Powerbooks outlets this December and is priced at PhP700. www.philstar.com/sports/2016/12/05/1650559/first-book-philippine-football-launched
|
|
|
Post by cjeagle on Feb 12, 2017 16:24:40 GMT 8
Football’s promise THE GAME OF MY LIFE By Bill Velasco (The Philippine Star) | Updated February 11, 2017 - Finally, the book “Philippine Football: Its Past, Its Future” is out on the market. It is a thorough, detailed, passionate look at how the world’s favorite game was once a treasured part of Filipino lives, and is gradually regaining the luster it once held in the country. Edited by renowned economist and professor Bernardo Villegas, Ph. D. of the University of Asia and the Pacific, it is the story of how intrepid men of earlier times helped the sport gain prominence, how it was eventually eclipsed by basketball, and details its return to prominence, particularly since 2010. With a foreword from Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta Jr., the tome’s formidable line-up of contributors include Bong Pedralvez, Rick Olivares, Bert Ramirez, Ignacio Dee, this writer and of course, Villegas himself. The project was two years of data gathering, research, collecting, collating and curating of old photos, updating, and interviews with the players, coaches and officials who sculpted football’s early years until its peak in the 1950’s. The country’s most prestigious colleges and universities had their own rivalries that fired up the imagination of spectators and developed traditions that have since been seen in other sports. Inevitably though, the Americans’ infiltration of the educational system, victory in the Liberation in World War II and penetration of Filipino culture propelled basketball into greater prominence. But Villegas says there is also an economic reason why soccer is now on people’s minds. “We are seeing the emergence of the middle class,” Villegas said at the book’s formal launch Thursday. “The middle class has already grown to the point that there is a lot more disposable income, and thus more income for leisure. If you organize a marathon, people will come. And of course, the influence of the Azkals cannot be discounted.” Football’s renaissance can be directly traced to the Suzuki Cup in 2010, which broadcast network ABS-CBN gambled on broadcasting, making the critical decision only the day before, that opened window for national team football to the rest of the world. Of course, it likewise helped that many of the national men’s players were good-looking Filipino-foreign athletes, ironically feeding on the Filipino love for anything foreign or Caucasian instilled by the Americans. Though the use of hybrid players is controversial, Villegas believes they are still a necessary component to the sport’s further growth. “We should keep on hiring these mestizo players, by virtue of the law of jus sanguinis. They are entitled to the citizenship of either parent,” Dr. Villegas elaborates. “Besides, they bring with them the competitive training from Europe and other parts of the world. Their contribution is valuable.” Villegas is also encouraged by the imminent launch of a regional football league which will feature eight teams, four from the National Capital Region, and four from the Visayas and Mindanao. He says it is a sign that advertisers see the value of the games, and that the audience has embraced not just the Azkals, but the game itself. But all the book’s writers agree that the first generations of Azkals are merely laying the groundwork. The fruit of their labor as pioneers is the bigger audience, higher ratings, growing revenue, new sponsors, better facilities and higher standard they will be passing on to their younger counterparts. “Our hope is really with the youth,” Villegas declared. “They are the future of the sport. I’m glad that there are many private sector initiatives and local governments like Biñan that have vested in a new stadium to use football as a focal point of community activity.” Of course, all of this is in the hope that the proud history of Philippine football reaches a new audience, and that translates to a greater appreciation of the beautiful game. With the changes in FIFA’s format worldwide, the Philippines is hoping that, in this lifetime, the country will see a spot in the World Cup qualifiers. Araneta himself is hoping to turn his good relations with FIFA’s new administration into political capital and make the leap onto important policy-making FIFA committees, something no Filipino officials has ever done. Though football’s growth may be gradual, it is steady, with palpable interest from the public and therefore, advertisers. This makes it a bigger responsibility for succeeding players to honor the sacrifice and commitment of their forebears and add their own police on the new face that Philippine football is showing the country. www.philstar.com/sports/2017/02/11/1671171/footballs-promise
|
|
|
Post by lee on Feb 14, 2017 4:11:51 GMT 8
I wonder if you can order this book in pdf format. I would like to buy it if so. I'll be getting a physical copy while I'm here in QC. I'm coming back to the US next month. If you'd like, I can pick you up a copy and then mail to you when I get home. Let me know.
|
|
|
Post by cjeagle on Sept 4, 2017 0:20:17 GMT 8
01 September 2017 Book on Philippine football tactics released By Rick Olivares MANILA, Philippines – Former Kaya and Union Football club coach Maor Rozen has just published a Philippine edition of his football book, Tactics from the Roots (published by COC Foundation). Rozen, who is Uruguayan, coached for 10 years in the Philippines and conducted football clinics for both players and coaches alike throughout the country. After his brief spell with Kaya, he moved to Spain. “I wrote Tactics from the Roots as a way of saying thank you for my time here in the Philippines,” said Rozen. “They were some of the best times of my life.” “When I first came here, I could see the passion for the game but the level of football wasn’t as high. Coming back now, you can see how the game has grown not only in terms of popularity but also tactically. This book talks about tactics from what I have observed and maybe this can also be a tool for the Filipino coach.” During the book launch held last Wednesday at Fullybooked at Bonifacio High Street in Taguig, the Uruguayan listed four reasons for the publication of the book. “First, it is to continue to the development of football in the Philippines,” underscored the coach. “Second, it’s to further develop coaches’ ability to analyze the game. Third it to optimize the understanding of the game at an early age and lastly, it is to help create and identify a new generation of local talents.” Rozen also cautioned readers and football coaches about the book, “The tactics will change in a few years because the game evolves. But the fundamentals remain the same.” Spotted in attendance at book launch were Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, Azkals team manager Dan Palami, former national player Alex Elnar, Makati Football Club boss Tomas Lozano, former Union Football Club team manager Jorge Muller and Congressman Carlos Cojuangco, who sponsored the publication of the Philippine version of the book. This is the second book about Philippine football published in the last two years. In February of 2016, Philippine Football Its Past, Its Future was launched featuring writings about the history of the Beautiful Game’s origins and evolution in the country by various sports writers including the Philippine Star’s Bill Velasco and this author. “I think it is good that there are books about Philippine football that are now being made available,” noted Araneta. “This is a demonstration that the passion for the game is there and that interest is growing.” Tactics from the Roots is available in Europe, but the one released locally (through Fullybooked) is a Philippine derivative with chapters exclusive to his time here. www.philstar.com/sports/2017/08/31/1734478/book-philippine-football-tactics-released
|
|