Sta. Cruz, Payatas, FFA XIs rule Bayanijuan

MANILA, Philippines - Sta. Cruz, Laguna Football Club, Payatas Football Club and Futbol Filipinas Academia topped their respective divisions to lead the winners in the second Bayanijuan Football Festival at the newly launched Grandstand and Athletic Field in Southville 7, Calauan, Laguna recently.

The Sta. Cruz, Laguna booters topped the boys’ Under-16 category, the Payatas side dominated the girls’ U-16 class while the FFA team from Sta. Rosa, Laguna swept the U-12 and U-14 titles in the event marking the grand launch of the Amb. Manolo M. Lopez grandstand.

Amb. Lopez donated P5 million to construct the facility which serves as the venue for sports and other recreational activities for the youth in Bayanijuan. Amb. Lopez’s sons Mike and Mark Lopez of the Lopez Holdings Corp. graced the event.

“We would like to thank Gina (Lopez) for giving us the opportunity to help. My father is pleased that his donation was put to good use,” said Mike Lopez.

The Consuelo Alger Foundation sponsored the second football festival, which drew 14 teams from Laguna, including Sta. Rosa, Calamba, Magdalena, Los Baños, Sta. Cruz and Calauan, with Payatas from Quezon City as the lone non-Laguna squad.

Other backers of the event were Danny Moran of Amici, Philippine Football Federation head Nonong Araneta and Laguna Football Club coach Allan Sayson.

The Bayanijuan in Southville 7 is the official resettlement site of the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.’s Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig in its continuing effort to provide decent life to the former informal settlers of the esteros connected to the Pasig River.

“Studies show that sports programs are very helpful for the youth as this can boost happiness, motivation and focus. It can also keep children away from trouble,” said lawyer Mia Castro, executive director of the Consuelo Foundation.