Striking while the iron is hot

Manila, Philippines - Azkals striker Angel Guirado is first and foremost a football player. But the half-Pinoy, half-Spanish athlete doesn’t mind to “strike while the iron is hot” when it comes to brand endorsements and even showbiz assignments.

Angel’s strong Spanish features, towering height and amiable personality could simply seal the deal.

“I can dance,” replies Angel in Spanish when asked about his non-sporting skills especially when offers from showbizlandia come his way. He is represented by PR Asia Worldwide, the same firm responsible for bringing Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick for a Penshoppe shoot and soon Thai heartthrob Mario Maurer to Manila. “What’s important for me first are the endorsements and sponsorships, especially (the ones that will show me) as an athlete. Although I am open to whatever comes.”

“I plan to take up English and Filipino lessons,” he continues. “I want to speak Filipino because my mom speaks the language. And I know a few Filipino words like Kamusta ka, Saan ka pupunta? and maganda.” By the way, Angel is uncle of Coleen Garcia who plays Matina in the Nestea Iced Tea commercials and stars on ABS-CBN’s Good Vibes.

Angel’s recent stay in Manila was not his first. He and his brother visited the country of their mother Angela (nee Aldeguer) of Ilagan, Isabela five years ago. They were looking for a team then which they could practise and play their sport with. That wish was granted.

“It’s my dream to play for a national team  be it in Spain or in the Philippines,” Angel shares. “That’s a dream of every football player. My priority is still football. There are offers to play in Manila. But there are other countries like Indonesia, Japan, United Arab Emirates and China which are taking a look at me right now. My game in Kuwait is vital to my career. I would love to play for the Philippines but I also consider playing outside (the Philippines). After the game in Kuwait, I will wait for the offers. Whoever gives me the best offer, I am open. After the Kuwait game, it’s time for me to decide where I would be.”

What’s Team Azkals game plan against Kuwait? According to Angel, it’s important for the players to be united for them to advance to another level. He trusts the coach with defense. As a striker, Angel will “attack and go for goal.” The match is extra challenging since two defensive teammates will not play and Angel has a bruised thigh and a knee problem. But he is still in his best element to kick and score a goal just like what he did in the Philippines-Myanmar and Philippines-Sri Lanka games. (By the time you read this story, the match between Philippines and Kuwait is over.)

Asked about his reaction to other people’s opinion that Team Azkals should be manned by 100-percent Pinoy players, Angel answers, “Those are opinions and I welcome them. I believe that if they don’t want mixes of Filipinos or Filipino foreigners in the team, they better start children here to play football at a young age. So, they will have at least full-blooded Filipino players in the team. It’s also good to have Fil foreigners in the team so that football here, one way or another, will create noise like what’s happening right now.” Angel also adds that he is willing to teach kids to help the football team in the country.

Does Angel have a special someone in Spain?

“I have a girlfriend,” he says. “She’s Spanish. But of course there’s also a lot of good-looking Filipina women (here).”