From the local bands who rendered energetic performances, to the members of the Philippine Street Soccer Team who were ushered with a grand send-off party, the word of the day was “home-grown.”
There are 64 nations who will be competing in the 2011 Homeless World Cup which will be held in Paris, France, from August 21-28. And while only one among them will emerge victorious when the smoke of the battle clears, the real winners would be the players themselves, who will finally have the chance to represent and give glory to their homelands.
And among the nations who are vying for the Homeless World Cup title is the Philippine Street Soccer Team, who have formed and trained their own crop of talents who are carving a niche for themselves in Philippine sporting history despite being deprived of one of the most basic needs of man: a home.
Their inspiring climb from the depths of poverty and homelessness to a golden opportunity to represent their nation is indeed remarkable, and, before the team embarks on its third stint in the Homeless World Cup, they were first ushered with a Send-Off Celebration at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Campus last August 9.
Dubbed “Ang Dyip ni Juan: Biyaheng Paris,” the event, which was backed by the DLS-CSB Student Council and Channel V Philippines, was actually two-pronged as it sought to raise funds for the future of these talented footballers who are stricken with poverty and also doubles as a way to showcase budding Filipino talents in the field of music.
Filipino bands like Mad Hatter Day, Lions and Acrobats, Good Morning High Fives, Kaligta, Curbside, Egg White Project, Kaya Band, Eevee, Brownman Revival and True Faith were there to perform for those who had gathered to witness the send-off for our local football talents, while Musiqality and Team Elite also rendered dance numbers.
Among the Lasallian athletes who were sighted at the event were members of the defending champions of the Women’s Volleyball Division of the UAAP, the DLSU Lady Spikers.
GoArchers.com was among the media partners of this event. More photos HERE
The Big MAC
The team with Ateneo's Kirk Long
