Filipino-Canadians share pride over country’s first World Cup appearance

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      The Philippine national women’s soccer team made history making its World Cup debut on Friday. Erica Natividad with the Canadian connection and reaction from local fans.

      By Erica Natividad

      History was made at the FIFA Women’s World Cup early Friday morning as the Philippines made its very first appearance at the competition.

      Squaring off against Switzerland, this is the first time the Philippines national team of any gender has played in the World Cup and it meant a great deal to the large Filipino community in Toronto.

      To mark the occasion, small business owner Kris Pangilinan had special t-shirts made for those who want to celebrate. The actual team jersey, he tells CityNews, is pretty impossible to find locally but he knows the demand is out there.

      “There are watch parties around the city. I can’t wait to join them but it’s so amazing to be proudly Filipino right now,” said Pangilinan. “We just wanted to honour the Philippine national team.”

      “It was great seeing them on the world stage at an event like this. I’ve always wanted to watch the Philippines in the world cup and it’s great to get that opportunity,” added Kyle Llamas, a Filipino fan.

      The pride extending not just across the country but the across the continent among the vast Filipino diaspora.

      The Philippine national team is made up of talent mostly from the U.S. but also from Norway, Australia and Canada with B.C.-born Jaclyn Sawicki.

      U.S.-based soccer host and content creator, Megan Reyes, has high hopes for what this can do for the sport.

      “The Philippines aren’t thought of as a soccer country, but I really believe that’s going to change after this World Cup run because now boys and girls and Filipinos everywhere whether it’s in the Philippines, U.S. or Canada will see there’s this opportunity and platform where ‘I can be like them.'”

      Reyes just released an audio documentary on the Filipino-American experience to coincide with the national team’s journey to the World Cup called “Between Two Worlds.”

      Unfortunately, the Philippines fell 2-0 to Switzerland in their inaugural game. Still, hopes remain high for the team and regardless of the outcome, the journey here has been an emotional one.

      “I never thought in my wildest dreams that I’d see that logo, or I’d ever hear the national anthem or see them stand side-by-side on the world stage,” said Pangilinan.

      “Even if they don’t make it out of the group stage, we’re going to be so proud of them. To us, it’ll be like we won the World Cup just to see the country represented on the big stage,” added Reyes.

      The team plays again on Tuesday against New Zealand but those who hope to catch the game will have to stay up late. It starts at 1:30 a.m. ET / 10:30 p.m. PT.

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