CHEERS rang out across the football field of MGV Sports Park in Barangay Carmen on Sunday morning, Oct. 12, as the family-led 3rd Romee Jose Subere Memorial Football Cup kicked off, drawing hundreds of families and young players to celebrate the sport.
In partnership with Magis Football Club, the two-day tournament introduced a new highlight — the “Soccer Moms” category — inviting mothers who usually cheer from the sidelines to take the field themselves, with their children now cheering for them.
Don Derrick Derequito, head coach of Magis Football Club and overall organizer, said the event aims to become an annual tradition held every September in honor of the late Romee Jose Subere’s birthday.
“The vision is to gather football enthusiasts from the city and nearby areas as a tribute to Romee’s passion for teaching young players,” said Derequito, Subere’s longtime friend. The tournament had paused for several years because of the pandemic.
Teams from as far as Butuan and Bukidnon joined the games, including those in the Soccer Moms category.
“We started in 2006, so our team is now 16 years old,” said Nancy Alquisar Gonzales of Celestial Football Club from Camp Philips, Bukidnon.
“For the soccer moms, it’s their third or fourth time to join this category,” she added.
Ena Caren Remedio-Edralin of the same team praised the Soccer Moms division as a way to get more mothers involved.
“Before, moms would just shout ‘Goal!’ but not really understand the game. When they play, they realize it’s not easy — and they get to experience what their kids feel,” she said.
She added: “It’s heartwarming when their children cheer back and say, ‘You can do it, Mom!’”
Gonzales said the sport also helps address children’s growing screen time.
“Soccer is the best answer. Kids should indulge in sports while they’re young,” she said, noting that age is no limit in the game.
Kat Co of the Las Tias Team said the event motivates both children and parents to stay active.
“While the kids practice, the moms are training too,” she said, suggesting that future tournaments open new divisions, including an over-35 women’s category.
Penny Cunanan, team manager of the all-women Las Tías Team, said it was their second time joining the tournament as a group.
“Some of our players came from different clubs, while others are playing again after many years. Some are also beginners of the sport,” she said.
Atoms Deloria, head coach of Bagong Lipunan/Diamond Football Club, said his team continues to work on communication and training consistency in the Men’s Open category.
“We still need more bonding time as a team,” he said.
As of this posting, only the winners of the Under-11 category had been announced: Roseval Astra Football Club took the championship, followed by San Lorenzo as first runner-up and Manolo United in third.
