What's happening with the Philippine Football Federation?Not even a year after former PFF President Nonong Araneta relinquished his position to the current successor, Jun Gutierrez, we all smell some smoke and dark clouds hovering over the national womens team composition issue for the forthcoming World Cup Futsal Championships to be held here soon for the very first time in history. Getting ugly.Bobby Moran, a former football player turned businessman, who played in previous years, in one team together with Nonong, Mr. Football Bert Honasan, Castaneda Brothers, and others which played against the best in the land, including the team I formed in the eighties, Nasutra eleven from Negros, played an active role with PFF too in the last few years, formed a womens eleven, preparing, training, and looking forward to represent our country, has suddenly been informed by PFF that a new selection had been formed also for the same task with the World Cup here without informing Bobby earlier. So which one will the fountain bless? Who's calling the shots now?Bobby wants to challenge the new PFF team being formed in a friendlie? If Bobby's team prevails, what happens then? Will PFF accept? I doubt if PFF's newly formed team under a different coach, will agree to this. I also heard that another Manila age group team was formed to play in Japan soon representing us.But before they left, they played some friendlies against our selection team in Bacolod and the Manila boys lost 5-0. So who goes to Japan now? The rich kids? Representing our flag? Hehe!Before you start hating this item, do not forget I used to be with FIFA for more than 8 years as Director for Media, TV, and Marketing together with my friend Nonong A. Probably the eldest in the group of advisers. Still alive and kicking.Actually, suffering now with sun burn all over, from last weekend after watching and enjoying my two apos score six goals in Ayalaland, Talisay, Negros Occ age group tournament representing La Salle Bacolod. Nino, aged 7, scored 4 goals while Christian, 10, scored two. Proud Lolo here. Sports builds character. Not just by winning, but playing the game. Did Vasquez win in Tawag ng Tanghalan? With all due respect, especially to my friends in the music industry, just asking. You see, while I'm very proud of Sofronio, the only Pinoy winner in USA's The Voice competition I keep on hearing about his stint with the ABS CBN's Tawag ng Tanghalan, but I haven't heard of anyone telling me if he won or not in this competition.If he didn't, then stop getting credit since you didn't do him THE favor. He won through his perseverance and determination. To prove you all wrong. This is why I'm so proud of him. He didn't give up. Dared to Dream BIG.Although I remain grateful forever to ABS CBN too for giving me the break in my musical career. God Almighty and ABS CBN made me win first runner up representing Western Visayas in the more popular and nation wide Tawag in 1971.Metro Manila lost to Cebu and Negros in the finals with a 32 piece band under the late Dominic Salustiano set at the grand Cultural Center with 12 regional finalists from all over the country. Emcee was the late Rod Navarro with Dolphy, Pilita, among the Board of Judges, winning with a free trip prize of going to Hongkong and Japan, which I used for my wedding honeymoon, Christmas time, to Josefa Ramos Dizon 'Patching' Alunan.Plus a one year TV contract as a musician joining Nora Aunor, who by the way never won in the 'Tawag' finals, Ed Finlan, Edgar Mortiz, Tirso Cruz, and the rest which abruptly ended halfway with my matrimonial plan.This is the competition that also made Pepe Pimentel, Diomedes Maturan, Dulce, Ric Manrique, et al. In short, I'm also indebted all my life to ABS CBN.To the Lopez family, headed by the late founder 'Enying' Lopez.And to my friend ABS Executive Joe Escaner.
