As “The Football Capital of the Philippines”, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo could not have celebrated the Tamasak Festival without its favorite sport.
The Mayor Bryant Paul Q. Biron Football Invitational was among the most awaited highlights of the 4th District’s latest cultural festival.
Deeply embedded into the homes and lives of Barotacnons, children learn to play football shortly after learning to run.
And run they did last June 13 at the finals of the sporting events and peak of the Tamasak Festival. Five teams joined the tournament, namely: Central Philippine University (CPU), Sta. Barbara FC, UNO-R, Barotac Nuevo FC, and the Philippine Army.
The finals match featured the Philippine Army against CPU. The former would go on to win everything clutch the first Mayor Bryant Paul Q. Biron Football Invitational trophy.
CPU landed on second place and Sta. Barbara FC closely at third. By the penultimate match, thousands gathered at the fabled Barotac Nuevo football field to witness tradition in the making.
This is the same field graced by Filipino football icons Chiefy Calindog, Elmer Bedia, and Ian Araneta among dozens others. Having produced some of the most legendary names in local football, Barotac Nuevo continues to be the one, true “Football Capital of the Philippines.”
