By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Janner Chieffy Football Club-Elmer ‘Lacknet’ Bedia Football Academy (JCFC-ELBFA) from Barotac Nuevo pulled off a successful important event for all the booters of Western Visayas.
In commemoration of Mr. Edwin Caro Laru-an, one of the most respected sports patrons not only in Western Visayas but also in the whole Philippines, the JCFC-ELBFA hosted the 1st Edwin Caro Laru-an Memorial Football Festival held at the FIFA Training Center, Brgy. Tabucan, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.
Almost 80 teams paid their respect to Mr. Laruan and enjoyed an action-packed football treat last May 14, 2023.
The memorial festival was spearheaded by Mrs. Claire Escuadra Laru-an, Mr. Edwin’s wife, in tribute to her husband’s love and undying passion for the sport.
JCFC-ELBFA had seven age categories during the event: the 5-6 years old, 7-8, 9-10, 11-13, 15-Under, 17-U girls, and 17-U boys.
Most kids who flocked to the FIFA training center were from Barotac Nuevo while some came from the different municipalities in the Province of Iloilo.
In the 5-6 category, the JCFC A bagged the championship title while Santa Barbara bagged second, Tata FC third, and Ales FC placed fourth.
Sta. Barbara meanwhile bounced back in the 7-8 category after clinching first place while JCFC reigned supreme in the 9-10 category.
JCFC continued its dominance in the 15-U category after winning another gold medal while Tamasak won the 13-U category.
In the 17-U girls, the JCFC B stole the show and won first place while the St. Paul School Barotac Nuevo won it all in the 17-U boys category.
Present during the grand event were Mr. Pabs Araneta and his brother Biboy, Mr. Bob Salvacion, Mr. John Gutierrez, Barotac Nuevo Sports Coordinator Albert Delmo, and Barotac Nuevo SB Rex Pilador.
The organizing committee would like to thank the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Barotac Nuevo headed by Mayor BP Biron, Kaya Football Club, and the Girls Scouts of the Philippines (Iloilo Council.)
