MABALACAT, Pampanga – Don Bosco Academy scored two straight goals in the first half en route to a convincing 3-1 win against their visitors from Singapore in a soccer exhibition game here on Sunday.
Don Bosco elementary students proved too strong for the Anglo-Chinese School players as three of their players – Marco Villa Agustin, Austin Nidone Tullao John Feliciano – scored one goal each at the school’s football field in Barangay Mabiga, here.
The Bosconians, who reached the finals in the recent Palarong Pambansa, remained unthreatened even as Anglo’s Michael Paul Hendrick made a goal before the end of the first quarter.
At least 36 delegates from a prominent school in Singapore have visited Pampanga to play a football exhibition game against Don Bosco, event organizers said on Friday during the welcome party for the visitors in Clark.
Rubyrose “Besie” Rustia, managing director of the Creative Travel and Tours International based in the City of San Fernando, said “the friendly game was not just developing sports but designed to promote culture of each nation.”
More importantly, she added, it will help promote and boost the tourism industry in Clark and the rest of Pampanga.
Rustia, Don Bosco Principal Fr. Dindo Gueco and Mabalacat Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales welcomed the Singapore delegates led by Vijayn Shanavas at the Fontana Leisure Park (FLP) where they will stay for two days. The Anglo school, which has 16 young football players, will also play an exhibition game against the Ateneo De Manila University before leaving on November 18.
Shanavas said he “admired the wonderful hospitality of the Filipinos.”
“They will definitely enjoy their trip in the country,” he added.
Shanavas said they had been encouraged to travel with their children to “make them value the importance of team work. They will learn to win and lose as a team.” “This is our third trip to Asia this year.”
They earlier visited Malaysia and Thailand to also play soccer.
Morales, a Bosconian himself, said “the visit of our neighbors from Singapore for a friendly soccer boosts our egos, whether we admit it or not.” He added that he will help Don Bosco players visit Singapore for a same purpose.
