Discipline. Confidence. Friendship.
The theme of this year’s National MILO Marathon seemed to apply not just with the runners, but also to the young booters, who took part at the MILO-FCB Barcelona Camp at the FCB Youth Academy from Nov. 4 to 12.
The 10 football aspirants were welcomed home today by their parents, media, and MILO Philippines in a press conference held at the Amici, Ayala Triangle Garden, Makati City.
During their football journey, the Philippine team accomplished a program where they got the chance to train with the best in the world to have better confidence and learn the discipline of playing football while building friendships with other aspiring young booters.
Dreams filfilled
“We are delighted to fulfill the dreams of these 10 talented football players who have not only shown us the right skills, but also embody the values that MILO and FCB espouse, namely humility, effort, ambition, respect, and teamwork,” said Robbie De Vera, Consumer Marketing Manager of MILO Philippines.
As part also of the program, the young football team and delegates from other countries such as Chile, Colombia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Maldives, South Africa, Trinidad, Tobago, and Venezuela went under a series of training sessions based on the Barça methodology. These include creative passing and attacking brand of football, while underscoring the importance of positive values.
“With the new football knowledge and the values I’ve learned, I will be able to train myself better in the future,” said 12-year-old Koronadal native Daniel Cagaanan.
The kids were able to exclusively train with FC Barcelona Youth Academy’s respected football coaches and former Brazil and Barça legendary player Juliano Belleti.
“Lionel Messi!” the kids immediately shouted when asked what they were able to watch live play during their stay in Barcelona, Spain.
Learning from their idols
Some of of the ultimate experiences that the players were able to check on their football bucketlists were watching their FC Barcelona idols and learning football based on how they play.
“This was beyond my wildest dreams. I’ve always wished to be in the same football arena where my idol, Lionel Messi played. I have learned a lot of things and I can’t wait to share it to my teammates,” said 11-year-old “junior coach” Lien Dale Manuel
The 10 booters who came from different parts of the country include Lien Dale D. Manuel, Alexander David C. Villarosa, Breindel O. Medina, Heaven Andrei N. Teodosio, Tristan Ybanez, Juan Pablo S. Unlay, Dylan Theodore O. Wong, Carlo Antonio D. Bongocan, Daniel Isaac N. Cagaanan, and Jelena Loren I. Soon.
Jelena, the sole member of the USPC Panthers FC and Cebu Elite Girls’ Team, was one of two girls who participated the global camp.
What MILO and FC Barcelona hope, and maybe everybody, is that these booters will continue to work hard and aspire to be the best version of themselves.
To see the athletic journey of the 10 young booters, visit www.milo.com.ph or follow them on Facebook page at MILO Philippines.
