10 things we can do to help Philippine football

This is a list a came up with post AFF Suzuki Cup. That I made the list doesn't mean I have
done all things. But of course, I'm planning to do them all. Of course, you can add to them if you like.


1.) BUY THE PHILIPPINE JERSEY. Mizuno gambled by supporting the Philippine team. Let's pay them back.

2.) SUPPORT FULHAM FC. Follow their games on TV or follow their progress on the net. I don't know about you, but I've been a loyal Man U and Real Madrid fan for years, for the simple reason that it's their matches we see a lot on TV. But all this loyalty to these clubs really don't get us anywhere, does it? As to Fulham? Well, it's Neil Etheridge's club. (Enough said)

3.) SUPPORT LOCAL FOOTBALL. The Fil-foreigners said it themselves. They wouldn't be there if not for the local players. Support local football. How? It's simple. Watch the games. We won't be cheering for the Younghusbands, Etheridges, del Rosarios, if not for the Aranetas, Barsaleses, Caligdongs, Borromeos, et.al.

4.) Support the International Tournament in June. This will be the first time a private
company has gambled by backing a tournament for the Azkals. Let's show them they did the right thing.

5.) DO THE WRITE THING! Write anything football-related in your facebook, twitter account once in a while.

6.) SUPPORT THE WRITERS. For years, Philippine sports media has operated under the notion that there is no market for football stories. That's why serious football writers are rare. Support them. How? It's simple, read their stories, offer feedback--whether you agree with them or not. If football stories get more "clicks" or "pingback" or "shares" or "comments," perhaps the sports media will begin to offer more space to football, than basketball.

7.) WATCH STUDIO 23. Sure, their commentators sucked (but I guess it was due to the lack of a commentator pool) but this channel took a risk by airing the last three Azkal games in the Suzuki cup, live.
Let's reciprocate and watch their shows. Let's watch their football games. Mute the TV if you don't like the commentators.

8.) LIKE EVERBODY. Fan pages regarding Philippine football or the players are sprouting up in facebook. Like each of them. Join the discussion if you want. There's no harm in doing that. Visit every Pinoy-football related website. Even better, bookmark them. And also, don't be focused on WHEN folks started to support Philippine football. This is not the time to be "us-original-fans-against-bandwagon-fans."

There are no bandwagon fans. Just Philippine football fans, period.

9.) JOIN USAPANGFOOTBALL.PROBOARDS.COM. It's an Internet forum for Philippine football fans. Let's talk some more. It's just a forum? Well, if I may reiterate, the Azkal movement started in a long-forgotten forum.

10.) SUPPORT DAN PALAMI. (No explanation needed)