This is probably going to be my longest jailbreaking post. I just couldn't afford to miss anything from these two men whose passion for football radiates from their eyes.
With the recent victory of the Philippine Azkals Team (our country’s chance to qualify for 2014 FIFA), football has becoming to be another sport to follow. We’ve had chances in the past to be known in this sport but sadly we didn’t make it. After the Azkals has beaten Sri Lanka, we all saw another spark of hope.
I couldn't interview Leo Messi or Iker Casillas or Roberto Kaká or even Chieffy Caligdong but I know I could prove that the love for this game does not just come from these famous names. Real football can also be found out there - on the streets.
Luigi is a good friend of mine from Nicaragua. He is almost like a little brother to me. I have seen him play football a couple of times and his passion for this sport always fascinates me. Sam is a colleague. I haven’t seen him play but with the way his eyes light up when he talks about football, I knew right away that I didn’t have to see him play to talk about his passion for the sport.
These men do not know each other, were interviewed on separate occasions and did not get to see the other's answers but you could see what exactly they have in common - they both fell in love with football.
LUIGI AGUILAR (Nicaragua)
Full Name: Luis Alberto Aguilar Castillo
Place of birth: Managua, Nicaragua Central America
Playing Position: Striker
Current Football Club: Real Josue
Q: When and how did you start playing football?
A: I started playing FUTBOL (this is the Latin American way to say soccer) when I was 8 yrs. old. I started playing right after I broke my left femur bone. I was unable to stand up for about 10 months and I needed to run and do a lot of therapy but I still preferred to play futbol.
Q: Who do you play football with? Who taught you how to play? How long have you been playing?
A: I play with my friends and people that I don't know. I think I started learning how to play real futbol on the streets. I've had plenty of coaches but real football is on the streets.
Q: Do you ever feel like you have not played enough?
A: Every single day of my life, I have the feeling that I have not played enough. I've played for 17 years and I don't know when am going to stop.
Q: Do you play other sports?
A: I try, but not really.
Q: Who are your favorite players? teams?
A: Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, Ricardo Kaká, Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane are my favorite players. I know it's weird but I don't have a favorite team. I judge the teams by their players.
Q: They say each player has a favorite football moment, what's yours? Can you tell me one or two?
A: When a really important game is about to finish (you know, a tournament game - a final - and you know that one goal will win you the trophy or medal) and you have to score in the last minute or second, and the game is not over until you hear the PRRRR!!!!! from the referee. Those are my favorite moments.
There is now way to explain the way I feel when I score on the last minute and make the team win. It's just awesome!
Q: I have seen you break your leg or ankle a couple of times. I have also seen you flip over another player as you play and I am amazed by how you struggle to continue. What motivates you to continue during those moments?
A: What motivates me to continue playing is the adrenaline in my body and the fact that I know I have to enjoy the best sport ever right now, because when I get old I won't be able to handle the pain, my body won't be able to take it.
Q: What was the worst thing that has ever happened to you while playing football?
A: To every futbol player, the worst thing that can happen is to get an injury in the middle of the game.
Q: I know that at this point it might be a little bit far from seeing you play professionally but dreaming is possible. If you can dream now, what would you want to happen to your football career?
A: I just wish that futbol was my professional career, playing whenever and wherever and getting paid for it, if possible.
Q: What was the most difficult/challenging game you've been into? What made it difficult?
A: It was when I was in a university competing against other universities. One of the things that made it difficult for me is that you have to have a good communication with your team, not with words but with the ball. If there is no chemistry with your team it will be hard and almost impossible to play with them.
Q: Football can attract some fans. Do you know if you have fans? If yes, how does it feel?
A: Uhmmmmm.... uhmmmmmm.... uhmmmmm... really???? Didn't know this one. =S
Q: Football is a very physical game. What do you do to sustain the energy or manage the pain? Do you follow a strict diet? Do you have an exercise plan?
A: I like to play futbol more than being on the ground and complain about being hurt. There are a lot of dramatic players who will use whatever possible means for them to keep the ball.
Futbol, it does hurt. I have to accept that, but the energy I have (and let's call it energy) is when I know that my rival uses his strength to defeat me. Why? Because I know he will continue kicking and punching me to see me down on the ground, but it's way better to show them that I can easily stand up, get ready and run faster than ever and fight back. It's not like that I don't like to lose the game; it's just that I will fight until the end.
Strict diet? Well, I like healthy food and I do like to eat. :)
Futbol has been one of the most important things in my life and since I was a kid I've been through different trainings. I've learned some exercises and I keep doing them along with other stuff like basic movements from Ju Jitsu and kick boxing classes.
Q: Can you describe football in Nicaragua and how your people love the game?
A: Nicaragua is well known as a land of baseball but I really doubt it. If you walk around you'll see kids playing only futbol on every street. I do know that Nica people love futbol but unfortunately this is a...not very wealthy country...and we can't make a living by playing futbol so the only solution is to do it as a hobby.
Q; Do you ever count your goals? How many? Any estimate?
A: No I don't count them but I know for sure that they are more than 200.
Q: What does football do to you?
A: It takes my anger away but I get more mad too when I know someone is kicking my butt. It fills me with energy, it makes me forget about everything, it makes me feel the great feeling of being burn out and the best part is the amazing feeling you get when you kick the ball really hard and score. When you play with the rest of the team, when your opponent can't even follow you with all the movements you do while playing, when you see your opponent on the ground, the different ways you can trick them with your movements, the way you have to move your body...just nice feelings.
Q: Aside from football, what are your other sources of passion?
A: Friends, kick boxing, Ju Jitsu, music, martial arts, weapons, animals, sleep, technology and anything related to physical activity.
Q: Leo Messi once said, "I could play football for nothing if I had to". Do you feel the same?
A: Of course, I feel the same. That's what I do. I play for nothing.
Q: Would you trade football for any other sport? Why or why not?
A: NEVER. Futbol is a game where you play not only with your legs, chest, arms, lungs, knees, shoulders... but also with a heart. It is a team sport. It is the only sport that freezes this world every 4 years.
Q: What makes a great football player?
A: The will of playing in a team, be able to give 100% in every game, show respect to every rival even if this one is really small and weak, but most of all, be able to think with the heart.
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SAM DUMO (Philippines)
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| Photo by Yanyan Mendiola. |
Full Name: Samuel Dumo
Place of birth: Makati, Philippines Asia
Height: 5'8"
Playing Position: Right Winger/Forward/Striker
Current Football Club: DUFC Dolphins United FC
Number: 8
Q: When did you start playing football?
A: I started playing football when I was in 5th grade in Philippine Christian University but I started to have a really good grip of the game when I was in Junior High.
Q: Who do you play football with? Who taught you how to play? How long have you been playing?
A: I usually play with former schoolmates and with colleagues. My former coach, Greg Calawod, is the one who taught me how to play.
Q: Do you ever feel like you have not played enough?
A: Sometimes.
Q: Do you play other sports? What do you play?
A: Yes. I play basketball, billiards, tennis, volleyball and baseball.
Q: Who are your favorite players? teams?
A: David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and my coach Greg. My favorite team is ...my team DUFC. :)
Q: They say each player has a favorite football moment, what's yours? Can you tell me one or two?
A: It will be when I recently made two goals for my team (July 10th) during the Laurel Cup. I have played as a right winger for a long time but when my coach allowed me to play as a striker then, I made two goals.
Q: Am sure that you have been in a game where you had injuries many times. What motivates you to continue and finish the game?
A: My motivation is simple - to win and help the team.
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| Photo by Yanyan Mendiola. |
Q: What was the worst thing that has ever happened to you while playing?
A: I had cramps on both legs in the middle of a game.
Q: Do you follow a strict diet or exercise to maintain your energy?
A: Not really, just the regular exercise.
Q: I know that at this point it might be a little bit far from seeing you play professionally but dreaming is possible. If you can dream now, what would you want to happen to your football career?
A: I'd dream to be part of the national team, help the country to reach the World Cup and hopefully win it.
Q: What was the most difficult/challenging game you've been into? What made it difficult?
A: The most challenging game, so far, was when my team and I played against Letran during Senior High. Letran was a very strong team but we gave them a good game despite a depleted line up.
Q: Football can attract some fans. Do you know if you have fans? If yes, how does it feel?
A: I am not sure if I have fans. If I do, it will definitely boost my confidence.
Q: What can you say about football in the Philippines? Do you think we are starting to be a football nation too? We may be a little too far from World Cup but do you think we'll ever have a chance in the future?
A: Now, it's getting better. It's becoming more popular and I feel happy about it. Philippines should really be a football nation. I think we have a great capability to be good at it. Hopefully in the future we could participate in the World Cup; if given that chance, hopefully we could bag the championship.
Q: What does football do to you?
A: It makes me happy and I forget my problems while playing. It also makes me healthy.
Q: Aside from football, what are your other sources of passion?
A: I would say basketball. I like both sports. I play whenever I have the time.
Q: Leo Messi once said, "I would play football for nothing if I had to". Do you feel the same?
A: Yes. I play football just for fun and competition.
Q: What kind of rush do you get when you play?
A: I can't describe it. I just feel an increase in my heartbeat and feel an extraordinary amount of excitement when I play.
Q: Would you trade football for any other sport like, say, basketball? Why or why not?
A: No. Football is the most exciting, most challenging, most competitive sport for me. It requires great amount of strength, concentration and endurance.
Q: I know you have a son. Is he showing any signs of following your football enthusiasm? Does he watch your games? How does that make you feel?
A: Yes. I bought a ball and he always plays with it. He'd rather kick the ball and play than sit and watch TV. I allow him to watch my games if the condition allows it (like if the weather is good). It makes me happy seeing him like it because I know it will make him competitive and disciplined.
Q: What makes a football player?
A: A great football player should just enjoy the game at the same time take the sport seriously.
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It may be too far for the Philippines or Nicaragua to reach the World Cup. It may even be close to impossible at the moment. But as long we have people like Luigi and Sam, who play with their hearts even without the money or the fame or the lights and the cameras and the fans; football will live in these two countries. It will stay alive.
As my country evolves to be a football nation, I just hope one thing; that we do for the right reason - for the love of the game.
Photos were posted with the permission of Luigi and Sam.
