How faith, discipline, and love for the game are shaping Calapan’s next generation of footballers.
Long before grassroots football fields were neatly lined and uniforms matched, a movement took root in Calapan City — one that sought to give its youth something deeper than medals: direction, discipline, and hope.
That movement is Lungsod Calapan Football Club (LCFC) — a beacon for the youth, founded in 2018 by Domingo H. Artiola II, a man whose life’s calling blends education, sports, and service. What started as a simple desire to help kids find direction has evolved into one of the most inspiring grassroots football stories in the Philippines.
“I wanted to help the youth through football,” says Coach Dom. “No one was really taking care of the kids and the development of football in Calapan, so I decided to step up.”
And step up he did.
A Name That Belongs to the People
LCFC’s name — Lungsod Calapan Football Club — carries more than geography. It carries identity. It’s a statement of belonging, of pride, of shared victory.
“We wanted the club to bear the city’s name,” Dom explains, “because this isn’t just my team. This is Calapan’s team — the youth’s team. Every achievement of LCFC is an achievement for our city.”
Through that belief, LCFC has become a mirror of its people — resilient, faithful, and endlessly hopeful.
Where Passion Meets Purpose
After completing his studies in Special Needs Education, Dom returned to football and saw the gaps in the system — no programs, no structure, and no pathways for young players. Determined to make a change, he set out to rebuild the sport from the ground up.
He started small, organizing futsal games, school outreach programs, and community training sessions. What began as a humble effort soon evolved into the Lungsod Calapan Football Club — a thriving organization devoted to developing both skill and character.
In 2024, LCFC organized the GKHK (GustoKoHealthyKa) Futsal Cup, a landmark event promoting health, discipline, and faith — proving that football can build not only stronger athletes but also stronger communities.
Who LCFC Serves
LCFC welcomes children and teens aged 4 to 17+, offering a nurturing environment where beginners and experienced players alike can grow.
Training sessions are held three times a week, scheduled after school and on weekends (except Sundays). Through the FAST (Football After School Training) program, LCFC helps students balance academics and sports — encouraging healthy living, discipline, and time management.
More Than Training: A Philosophy of Character
At LCFC, football isn’t just about winning games. It’s about shaping people. The club’s guiding principle — ABS: Attitude Before Skills — defines everything they do.
“Our philosophy focuses on developing both the player and the person,” says Coach Dom. “We coach with patience and understanding, giving players the chance to grow at their own pace.”
LCFC’s training sessions blend discipline with compassion. Players are reminded to respect others, manage their time, and stay grounded in faith. Each practice ends with a prayer — their battle cry: #allforGODsglory.
Meet the Head Coach
Dom Artiola II serves as the Founder and Head Coach of Lungsod Calapan Football Club. Since 2016, he has been dedicated to developing football and futsal in Calapan City with a strong focus on youth training and sports education.
He has completed several certifications that guide his inclusive and holistic coaching style, including:
- FIFA Goalkeeping Coaching Course
- FIFA Futsal Coaching Course
- IFCPF Cerebral Palsy Football Coaching Course
- FIFA Goalkeeping Coaching Course
These qualifications reflect his commitment to providing high-quality, inclusive training for all.
Inclusive and Specialized Programs
Inclusivity lies at LCFC’s core. The club runs programs for:
- Girls and Women’s Football
- Goalkeeper Training
- Futsal Development
- Deaf and Special Needs Football
- LIFE for Out-of-School Youth
No child is turned away.
If they can dream, they can play — regardless of background or ability.
LCFC’s grassroots initiatives and LIFE (Liga ng Futbolistang Estudyante) ensure that students from various schools can compete, grow, and experience structured development — often at low or no cost.
Faith, Family, and Football
Every child who steps onto LCFC’s training ground is treated like family. Parents volunteer, help organize matches, and cheer not only for their kids — but for each other’s.
This tight-knit culture has earned recognition even from local leaders, including the Office of the Congressman, which supports LCFC’s efforts in youth empowerment and wellness.
The results? Remarkable. Students who once struggled in school now excel. Shy children have gained confidence. Families once divided by poverty or indifference are now united by football.
LIFE: Football that Builds Futures
Perhaps LCFC’s most inspiring contribution is the LIFE League — Liga ng Futbolistang Estudyante — the first-ever long-season 11-a-side football league in Oriental Mindoro.
Through LIFE, hundreds of students got their first real taste of structured competition, teamwork, and pride in wearing their school colors. Some improved their grades. Others found scholarship opportunities. Many simply found belonging.
“LIFE proved that football isn’t just a game,” Dom reflects. “It’s a teacher, a mentor, and a bridge to a better life.”
Tournaments and Achievements
Local and National Tournaments Participated:
Allianz National Youth Futsal Invitational (2nd place)
Batangas FA Domestic Qualifiers U16
Lipa Mayor’s Cup
Apollo Cup
Major Achievements:
🏆 Allianz National Youth Futsal Invitational U16 – 2nd Place
While LCFC is still in the grassroots and development stage, its focus is on building strong foundations for young players in Calapan City.
Their current goal:
🎓 Help players earn scholarships in prominent schools across the country — a goal already achieved by several early LCFC members.
With continued training, discipline, and league exposure, LCFC believes its players will one day represent not just the club, but Calapan City and the Philippines.
Challenges on the Road to Change
Despite its impact, LCFC faces struggles common to many grassroots clubs:
- Limited recognition from the local football association, and at times, resistance instead of support.
- Scarce funding and facilities, which make it hard to sustain programs or host major events.
But LCFC endures — driven by community spirit, parents’ trust, and the unwavering belief that God provides for those who serve.
Eyes on the Future
In the next three years, LCFC aims to:
- Help more youth earn football scholarships in universities nationwide.
- Prepare players for professional pathways — including the PFF, professional clubs, and possibly the national team.
- Continue promoting faith, discipline, and health as pillars of youth development.
Coach Dom’s Message to Every Young Dreamer
“Love the game. Trust the process.
Always put Attitude Before Skills.
Work hard, stay disciplined, and play #allforGODsglory.”
Movement, Not Just a Club
Lungsod Calapan FC is more than a football team. It’s a classroom without walls, a church without pews, a family without conditions. It’s proof that with faith, discipline, and a ball, you can change a child’s life — and maybe an entire city — one kick at a time.
OneFutbol Message
At OneFutbol, we celebrate clubs like Lungsod Calapan FC — where football is played with heart, guided by faith, and rooted in community. LCFC’s story is proof that with the right attitude, a ball, and a prayer, lives can change for God’s glory.
If you believe in their mission and want to be part of this journey of hope, discipline, and purpose, reach out through their official Facebook page or reach out to Coach Dom Artiola ll (09272819101/ domhank24@gmail.com/ lungsodcalapanfootballclub@gmail.com). Together, let’s keep inspiring the next generation to dream, play, and live #allforGODsglory.
