The Heart and Spirit of Isabel Football Club, Iligan City.
In the heat of summer 2023, three cousins stood quietly on the sidelines of a football clinic at La Salle Academy in Iligan City. The sound of laughter mixed with the thud of footballs on grass as their children — aged eight, nine, and ten — ran free under the sun.
Atty. Laurentino “Laurence” P. Badelles, Jose Rene “Peppo” Stuart del Rosario, and Ian Lorenzo “Sonny” Medina watched something more than a game unfold before them. In the eyes of their children, they saw joy, confidence, and the beginnings of friendship — a spark that only the beautiful game could ignite.
From that spark, a dream began to grow.
They wanted something that would last beyond summer — a space where their children, and countless others, could belong, learn, and play.
That dream took root on a long-unused family property in Isabel Village, Pala-o. And from that humble ground, Isabel Football Club (IFC) was born — a symbol of unity, legacy, and the enduring belief that football can bring people together like nothing else.
A Legacy Carved from Family and Faith
The name “Isabel” carries more than just geography — it carries history. It honors Isabel Lluch Badelles, the great-great-grandmother whose vision and generosity shaped not just land, but lives.
Her legacy of kindness and service still runs through her descendants, and now, through every pass, tackle, and goal scored on that patch of Iligan soil. For the founders, the name isn’t just a tribute. It’s a promise — that Isabel Football Club will always stand for family, unity, and community spirit.
A Football Family, Not Just a Team
From day one, Isabel Football Club was never just about the players. It was about everyone.
Parents didn’t stay behind the fence; they stepped forward — organizing fundraisers, hosting tournaments, building goals, buying cones, and painting lines on the pitch. Every parent became a partner, every child a reason, every match a family affair.
And slowly, a once-silent piece of land turned into something special — a field filled with laughter, teamwork, and purpose.
Today, Isabel Football Club has become more than a club. It’s a community movement, proof that when families stand together, football can become a force for good.
The Structure of Dreams
Isabel Football Club opens its doors to players of every age — from the tiniest dreamers to the fiercest competitors.
Age Categories:
- 4–6 years old
- 7–10 years old
- 11–13 years old
- 14–16 years old
- 17 and above
- Ladies’ Football (newly launched)
Training happens every weekend and on holidays — a rhythm that fits the heartbeat of family life. It’s not just drills and sprints; it’s laughter, bonding, and growth.
Where Skill Meets Character
Leading the club’s development is Coach Uriel Burda, an AFC B-License coach, known not only for technical excellence but for teaching with heart.
Under his guidance, players are taught to win with grace and lose with dignity — to chase the ball, but never forget the values that matter most: discipline, respect, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Because at Isabel FC, football isn’t just about becoming a better player. It’s about becoming a better person.
Programs that Open Doors
In its pursuit of inclusive growth, Isabel FC continues to expand with programs that invite everyone to the game:
⚽ Girls’ and Women’s Football
🧤 Goalkeeper Training
🎄 Christmas Football Camp
☀️ Summer Football Camp
Each one is designed to create a fun, nurturing environment — where young people learn not only how to play, but how to dream together.
Proudly Representing Iligan
Isabel Football Club has carried the banner of Iligan City and Lanao del Norte in regional tournaments across Northern Mindanao. Among them:
- Kasadya sa Diyandi Football Festival – Iligan City
- Iligan-Lanao Regional Football Association League
- Holy Child Football Tournament – Misamis Oriental
- Cirilo-Isabel Football Fiesta Cup
- La Salle Academy Football Tournament
- Diamond Cup – Cagayan de Oro
- Kapatagan Football Festival – Lanao del Norte
- Invictus Festival – Gingoog, Misamis Oriental
But their proudest stage remains their home turf — the annual Cirilo-Isabel Badelles Football Fiesta Cup, held every first weekend of May. What started as a small gathering is now a festival of families, joy, and football — a true celebration of Iligan’s growing football heartbeat.
Beyond the Game
The real victories of Isabel FC aren’t measured by scorelines or medals, but by smiles, friendships, and stories.
A shy child who found confidence.
A parent who rediscovered community.
A field once empty, now alive with life and laughter.
In every sense, Isabel FC is a story of giving back — a reminder that football, at its purest form, is not just a game. It’s a gift.
The Challenges and the Dream Ahead
Like all grassroots clubs, Isabel Football Club faces its share of hurdles — school schedules, limited facilities, and the ever-present need for resources.
Yet, the club’s founders and families remain unwavering in their mission. Over the next three years, they aim to expand programs, upgrade training facilities, and open more doors for young Iliganons to shine.
With continued community support — through equipment, sponsorships, and shared passion — Isabel FC dreams of becoming a beacon for youth development in Northern Mindanao.
A Song of Unity
When the players take the field, their anthem rises — a cheerful declaration of pride and belonging:
“Isabel Football Club, strong and bold,
Building skills and dreams to hold.
Sportsmanship and unity, side by side,
In the field of glory, we take pride.”
It’s more than just a song. It’s their identity — a rhythm that beats in every child’s heart, every parent’s cheer, every goal scored beneath the Iligan sky.
“Just Enjoy This Beautiful Game.”
That’s the message Isabel Football Club hopes to pass on to every child who laces up their boots for the first time.
Play with heart.
Learn with joy.
Grow with others.
Because in the end, football isn’t about where you play — it’s about who you become.
OneFutbol Tribute
OneFutbol salutes Isabel Football Club — a shining example of how passion, family, and faith can build a football community from the ground up. From a quiet village in Iligan to the hearts of every young dreamer, Isabel FC reminds us that the beautiful game doesn’t just build players — it builds people.
📞 Contact:
- Ian Lorenzo Medina – 0932 801 1013
- Jennifer Medina – 0925 887 7148
✉️ Email: isabelfootballclubifc@gmail.com
📘 Facebook: Isabel Football Club
