The Younghusband brothers, who have led the Azkals into becoming a popular and winning national team, will now form their own football teams—for the “Clear Dream Match.”
It is an all-star game for the benefit of Tuloy Foundation, and the first time James and Phil will compete against each other.
The game will be on Aug. 25 at the University of Makati football field, and will be open to the public. It will be a friendly but competitive match, Phil said in a recent interview at Rockwell Tent, Makati.
The Younghusbands are the latest endorsers of Clear Men Deep Cleanse, an anti-dandruff menthol shampoo with activated carbon, created specifically for sporty men.
Online drafting
Fans are part of the drafting. Online voting, ongoing until Aug. 11, will determine who goes into Phil and James’ respective “dream teams.” To vote, like the Clear page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/clear), and go to the Clear Stadium app.
The app has a “ballot” where one can vote for his or her favorite players for the forward, midfielder, defender and goalkeeper positions. The 40 players with the highest scores will be divided into two teams.
There are 58 candidates—a mix of professional athletes, models, celebrities and radio DJs. Among them are United Football League’s Anton del Rosario, Nate Burkey, Freddy Gonzales, Eric Dagroh.
College varsity teams are represented by Patrick Deyto of De La Salle University, Miko Mabanag of Ateneo de Manila University and Shirmar Felongco of University of Santo Tomas.
Kaya FC member Jonah Romero and Philippine Volcanoes players Andrew Wolff and Eric Tai are also among those to be drafted.
Brazilian models Daniel Matsunaga and Fabio Ide also want to play, with TV stars Paolo Bediones, Rafael Rosell and Jake Cuenca. Even DJs Tony Toni and Slick Rick are hoping to make it to the roster.
Football for healing
Clear brand manager John Imperial said the tie-up between Clear, the Younghusbands and Tuloy Foundation is anchored on one thing: the love of football.
“Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo is the international endorser for Clear; here, we have the Younghusbands,” Imperial said. “Fr. Rocky, who heads Tuloy Foundation, is a big football fan.”
Fr. Rocky Evangelista put up Tuloy Foundation in 1993 to rescue children off the streets. The organization provides them a home, education and skills so later they can work and become independent.
According to the Tuloy Foundation website, from an initial number of 12 children who shared a small room, the group has been able to serve over 10,000 kids. The small shelter has grown into the 4.5-hectare property now known as the Tuloy sa Don Bosco Streetchildren Village.
Part of the kids’ “healing” activities is playing football, a sport Evangelista loves. “I am 70 years old and I stopped playing only recently,” he said.
Responsibility
Tickets will not be sold for the game (they will be available for free—details to be provided on the Clear Facebook page). Imperial said Clear will help Tuloy Foundation by supplying P500,000 worth of assorted Unilever products. The company will also support projects like football clinics and the rehabilitation of the foundation’s field.
Phil, who established the Younghusband Football Academy, encourages kids and adults alike to play.
“Don’t be scared or intimidated. Football has become more accessible, although it takes getting used to, just like dancing and singing. It is also a way of socializing, learning teamwork, values and discipline.”
Evangelista added that football helped former street kids become more confident and active, and reminded the professional players that they “have a responsibility” to these kids who look up to them as role models.
Visit www.facebook.com/clear, www.tuloyfoundation.org.
Photos by Arnold Almacen
